DoubleSix Criticizes 'Lack Of Transparency' On Digital Sales

UK-based game developer and Kuju division DoubleSix said Thursday that its PlayStation Network debut game, Burn Zombie Burn, has reached sales of 70,000 units -- and now the studio is strongly suggesting that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo should release digital sales figures. DoubleSix studio head James Brooksby said in a statement, "I do wish that all the platform owners would make their digital sales figures public. We feel this lack of transparency is hindering the development of these channels. We’re happy to back this opinion up with the release of the figures for Burn Zombie Burn." At 70,000 units worldwide, Burn Zombie Burn, released in March, hit DoubleSix's internal sales targets, the studio said. The developer expects to sell "significantly" more units across the life of the game, as it plans for upcoming expansion packs, bundles, comics, an Asian release, and a PlayStation Home space, among other initiatives. Brooksby added, "As a developer trying to decide which platforms to develop for, as well as what type of games to make, we’re currently in the dark regarding real sales performance for digital platforms and that makes it increasingly difficult to make realistic plans." Today, it's generally up to the game maker itself to release hard unit sales figures for digital games. "I’d like to see some kind of verified sales charts on all digital systems to encourage more developers to support these channels and to help make sensible investment decisions," Brooksby added.