Exclusive: Halo 3: ODST, Modern Warfare 2 Top Most-Anticipated Pre-E3 Games

Author: by Staff

In new data exclusively obtained by Gamasutra, Bungie's Halo 3: ODST and Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 currently top U.S. purchase intent for console games, according to OTX/Gameplan Insights. The data on purchase and pre-order intent and awareness was made by polling 1,000 U.S. gamers - from the casual to the hardcore - weekly, and compiling which games have the largest following for each of the categories. However, it's expected that these charts will start to change as titles are announced in Los Angeles at E3 this week. OTX analyst Nick Williams notes of the existing chart: "At the top of the charts, Halo 3: ODST and Modern Warfare 2 continue to dominate the 2009 releases, while God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII are the current PS3 headliners for 2010. With the national spotlight on the video game industry this week, it should be interesting to see how gamers react to the big announcements at E3. Expect to see a lot of movement in the rankings when next month's GamePlan charts are released." The current GamePlan charts, which survey console games that have not yet released but will debut after June 1st, 2009, consist of the following titles: Commenting on the methodology and major movement in the charts, Williams adds: "Looking at the index values for the 'Pre-E3 Software Outlook', it is important to assess the performance of a title across all three measures. For example, Wii Sports Resort has above average levels of Awareness and Purchase Intent (100 is average), but below average levels of Pre-Order Intent. While there is no denying that Wii Sports Resort is a hotly anticipated title, the data suggests that the average Wii owner might wait a few months before picking it up. The same can be said for Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits, Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Conversely, Mass Effect 2 has below average levels of Awareness, but above average Purchase Intent and Pre-Order scores. In other words, most Xbox 360 owners have not heard very much about the Mass Effect sequel, but those who have are displaying a high level of purchase intensity." [Note on methodology: OTX’s GamePlan Insights Weekly Syndicated Tracking Study 1,000 U.S. gamers and game buyers are surveyed each week including hardcore gamers, casual gamers and everyone in between. The tracking study tracks up to 400 game SKUs at any given time, including all major console, handheld, PC, and iPhone titles. OTX continuously integrates key metrics from the weekly tracking study into the GamePlan Insights web portal, including Awareness, Interest, Purchase, Intent (Pre-Order, Buy New, Buy Used, etc.), Forced Choice, Perceived Value, and Word of Mouth. For more information, please visit the GamePlan Insights microsite.]