Valkyria Chronicles sales increase 400% in April, reveals importance of price cut

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 9th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Perhaps the old adage "better late than never" applies well here. Valkyria Chronicles, Sega's PS3 exclusive SRPG, earned heaps of critical praise, but never garnered sales worthy of its caliber. Six months after the game's release, Sega is reporting a 400% sales increase in April (versus March), with a sellthrough that nearly matches what the game had during its original release.

A lot of factors play into the revival of Valkyria Chronicles. Sega sponsored a few community contests throughout the web, and introduced DLC to the masses. The final (and most effective) part of this multi-hit attack is Valkyria's temporary price drop to $30.

We're pretty sure if Sega capitalized on the new buzz and introduced a new print at a lower price, Valkyria would have sold even more. Although the game is easily worth the $60, a price cut certainly makes any title more attractive in this economic climate. We're pretty sure Sega could get away with just one more re-release of the game. Imagine this: a "Greatest Hits" version that includes all the DLC and a few episodes of the anime for under $30? We're certain that'll sell even more copies.

[Thanks, Aaron!]

Tags: sales, sega, valkyria-chronicles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

technole @ Jun 9th 2009 10:39AM

Now just add some trophies Sega!

technole @ Jun 9th 2009 10:40AM

Now just add some trophy support Sega!

flanked @ Jun 9th 2009 10:48AM

And then if they released a version for the other popular current-gen consoles, they could, like, double their sales again! Sega has this weird strategy of publishing cool, niche games (that I'm actually interested in playing) on limited platforms, and then publishing shite games (i.e. every Sonic game since 2000) on every platform under the sun. When will they learn how to properly distribute their games?

LokeSTL @ Jun 9th 2009 11:22AM

I believe that VC was contracted by Sony. Sony's answer to the outcry for RPGs on the PS3 if I remember correctly. This won't show up on other consoles because Sega built this game with Sony's money.

LokeSTL @ Jun 9th 2009 11:05AM

Biased reviews are humorous. It was only "worth the $60 price tag" to the early adopters. It was worth $30 to the people who bought it in April.

To me it is worth about $20 since it has a butt ugly art style, an annoying battle system (played the demo), and lacks trophies. Just my opinion though, as I see that a lot of people think VC is a masterpiece.

But if they add trophies and some of that DLC mentioned in the article, I would pick up a greatest hits edition for $30. I think a lot of people who are on the fence would also.

LokeSTL @ Jun 9th 2009 1:19PM

Vote me down all you want people, but I'm not the only one who feels this way. I was on the fence about Disgaea 3 since it's release, but the dev's continued support and future addition of trophies, along with it's now $40 pricetag makes it my next purchase.

If you guys really want this game to succeed, you should hound Sega to add trophies. Even if you think the game is "great without them" or "doesn't need them", you have to admit that the addition would sell more copies. And selling more copies would raise the likelyhood of a sequel.

But who cares, right? You should just vote down anyone who doesn't praise the game you like, and chastise people on blogs and forums for not owning it already. That's how you support the game, right?

sc00by_y00 @ Jun 9th 2009 1:42PM

Trophy whore much ?

LokeSTL @ Jun 9th 2009 2:45PM

Definitely not a "trophy whore", you won't find a trophy from any shooters on my trophy list. I bought Eternal Sonata and Enchanted Arms. Neither of them have trophies, but I will replay them. If FFXIII came out without trophies, I would complain, but I would still purchase it on release. I am a fan of menu-based RPGs, and support them from launch. Other genres, including SRPG & action/adventure games, moderately interest me. In those cases, more is needed to pull me off the fence. Trophies just happens to be a feature that brings an RPG element to all games that have them.

I am not much of a fan of SRPGs, but would play one to hold me over until the next game in my niche genre get's released. After I conquer Cross Edge, I will need something to hold me over until the next RPG. It has come down to Valkyria Chronicles and Disgaea 3. I have the same level of interest in both games which isn't saying much. D3 will receive my purchase because it has one more feature that appeals to me.

I guess my point is that games don't "need" trophies, but are helpful with getting people off the fence. Just like any other added feature, it helps to sell the product.

mgsrocks1 @ Jun 10th 2009 8:02AM

Just because you hate the game doesn't mean the game sucks. I hate RPGs but for some reason I really enjoyed the demo. Maybe because it's the strange strategy/RPG hybrid. Maybe it's because you don't like using your head when playing?

Jon Acheson @ Jun 9th 2009 11:07AM

Great news, Valkyria Chronicles is a fantastic game, and this can only help build momentum towards a sequel.

As for the anime, it's okay, but the game is much better.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 11:09AM

Still too expensive. I'll pick it up if it ever hits the bargain bin, like under $20 cause the demo didn't impress me very much.

needmoregigs @ Jun 9th 2009 12:27PM

The demo was a horrible representation of the actual game. Maybe you can give it a rent. Gamefly has it if you have the service. Coming from a biased point of view, this game is very worth its price. I don't think you will be able to find it in the bargain bin since many retailers didn't reorder additional stock after the initial batch released.

karlwulfekote @ Jun 9th 2009 11:18AM

I bought the game after the price drop. The only reason I didn't buy it at release, is because the game was released during the busy holiday season. It's amazing that VC has managed to out sell the established Star Ocean 4. The game is incredible. I really hope SEGA takes note of this and makes a sequel.

Also a good game without trophies is better than a mediocre game with trophies.

jorojoserojas @ Jun 9th 2009 11:22AM

I have this game, and I've yet to play it.

But heck, the price point sold me on it regardless! I've promised to play it eventually.

creyes4182 @ Jun 9th 2009 11:48AM

I got it on sale too.. but I still haven't played it. My brother on the other hand hijacked my ps3 for a good 2 weeks. So I'm guessing its good.

Kazper @ Jun 9th 2009 12:18PM

Oh it's very, very, VERY good. Obviously not everyone can like it, but 4 out of 5 people I know love it. So unless you flat out hate the genre - you will most likely love it.

dblakenz @ Jun 9th 2009 7:12PM

I brought it only just last week and am really enjoying it. In truth im not a anime fan, and am not a huge rpg fan at all, infact most rpg annoy me. Games like MGS4 and COD4 are my usual type of game, so VC is obviously quite a diffrent type of game for me, but I do like good stratagy games as well, and any game with a good story and characters is always a bonus! I heard good things about VC so tried the demo, found it intreging enough to buy it, and haven't looked back. I haven't finished it yet, I'm only on about 10 hours play time. Yes it's not perfect; the story is a little cheesy at times but it works and is enjoyable enough with some good twists. The gameplay is really fun though, and is surprisingly challanging with a good varity of mission types. While its 'turnbased' it not like FF turnedbased which I found annoying, and the fact you go into a 3rd person mode and can run around and shoot freely (to an extend) is good and it works nicely. I'd reccomend it to anyone who likes stratagy games, if your unsure try the demo - though it doesn't really show it off graphicly you get a basic idea of the gameplay. I'd give it about 8.5 / 10. So if you see it I would buy it

garnsr @ Jun 9th 2009 12:00PM

This is one that I've been waiting to get at a bargain, but I haven't seen many copies lately.

Jimmy D @ Jun 9th 2009 12:12PM

It's all very different in the UK - its almost impossible to get your hands on a copy - took me a few months to get one for my brother

steven(PSN: small_hands) @ Jun 9th 2009 2:11PM

Where did you find it? And how much? I'm looking for a copy of this aswel

needmoregigs @ Jun 9th 2009 12:19PM

This game is, by its nature, a niche product, but a very put together product. I enjoyed the story, art, and gameplay very much. It was worth it when I bought it a week after release; it was worth it when I bought an additional 2 copies in April; it was also worth it when I bought the DLC packs. I know this game is not everyone's cup of tea, but this game gave me one of the most pleasurable gaming experience I've had in a while.

needmoregigs @ Jun 9th 2009 12:20PM

Edit:

*very well put together.*

wallywallas @ Jun 9th 2009 12:25PM

And the funny thing is, you can't even buy it at $30 anymore.

Gamestop is sold out, Amazon sells it at $50, and the cheapest one on eBay is $45. Guess i'll have to wait for all the fuss to die down before can i can find one at it's retail price of $30. =P

corleone1967 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:43PM

Unfortunately, I bet a lot of the sales were from resellers (I don't think the price drop happened anywhere other than the US). I still haven't been able to find a copy for less than $70 + shipping in Canada.

Raytia @ Jun 9th 2009 1:18PM

As said by many above, the game is fantastic and well worth the price. Playing the demo represents some of the gameplay basics, but does not delve into the complexities of battle and the fears of permanently losing one of your troops nor does it give you much, if any of the overall story. The demo's a nice taste but does not do the game justice. I'm so glad I bought it when I did. Trophy support would be nice, but it's not the end-all-be-all.

Really hope they take notice of this and give us more VC and market future ones better. Game did not get enough love first time around.

RagingStormX @ Jun 9th 2009 1:22PM

Well I got a copy last month...but I've been putting off playing it in hopes of trophy support. If its doesn't have trophy support by the time I finish with Cross Edge, then I will just beat it and move on. The demo didn't impress me to much, but I like to play RPGs to the end to make my final decission if it was good or not.

The1stMJC @ Jun 9th 2009 1:51PM

I hate games in this genre, but the game play and art style won me over. This is a must own game for PS3 owners.

And for the people refusing to buy this without trophies you are probably a sad loser in life and I feel sorry for you, that you need a virtual picture of a trophy to make yourself feel like you accomplished something.

godblessjad @ Jun 9th 2009 2:11PM

TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY

?That's the extra spicy that Valkyria Chronicles needs.

Kazper @ Jun 9th 2009 7:38PM

Here's your trophy for being the saddest trophy whore on this comment thread.

Damian @ Jun 9th 2009 3:40PM

Hello mate Im in the Uk and also got a copy in April for £12.99 brand spanking new in Blockbusters !! Its amazing and only suffered sales wise as so many other big titles came out at the same time and in retrospect none of them are a patch ie - LBP and Cod WaW. It is a beautiful story and is very addicting ,

golobulus @ Jun 9th 2009 3:53PM

still the best rpg/srpg out this gen. and this is thanks to word of mouth and the anime.

Tom Cap @ Jun 9th 2009 11:55PM

Gamestop has it for $60 again... The clerks looked at me like I had two heads.

snowy @ Jun 10th 2009 3:28AM

Ive been looking for this. Not sold at any GameStop near me.

Neobara @ Jun 17th 2009 12:56AM

I'm not a trophy whore, but i am OCD. The fact that this and MGS4 are the only two PS3 games in my collection without trophies is really bugging me because they're both great games. If the developers keep creating these DLC add-ons they obviously have the time to tack on trophy support too. DO IT SEGA! TROPHIES ONLY ADD TO A GAME!!

aaronanderica @ Jun 22nd 2009 6:14PM

LokeSTL so what you are saying is that you are going to talk down to fanboys of the game and be a trophy fan boy yourself. Great logic there. Also as for the graphics I am not going to convince you what qualifies as good graphics. If you like rap I'm not going to talk you out of liking rap. If you like the color blue I am not going to argue with you that blue is not a good color. All I am going to argue is that great storylines, and writing do not need great graphics henceforth the conception of BOOKS that have no pictures and most people believe the best rpg's have come out on SNES. You are also talking about Disgea 3. Is there a better example of lousy graphics on a next gen system (although I love, own, and play that one too it doesn't have the writing or storyline nor writing of VC.) So trophies = sequal = more people buying. I never saw that section of a box when buying a game but OK dude you go with that. I will respect your opinion and not "vote you down".