Various retailers, including Amazon, GameStop, and Wal-Mart, discount the price ofBattlebornright before the launch of Blizzard’sOverwatchgame.
WithBattlebornhaving just released earlier this month, gamers may be surprised to learn that the game is already being discounted to $40 by some of the biggest game retailers in the world, including GameStop, Amazon, and Wal-Mart. This sudden $20 price drop has interesting timing, as it coincides with the launch of a game with similar MOBA-inspired elements,Overwatch.
WhileBattlebornandOverwatcharen’t technically MOBAs in a traditional sense, both games borrow elements from the genre. For example,Battlebornhas a large cast of distinct characters, as doesOverwatch, and both games require teams to work off the strengths and weaknesses of the other characters (or heroes) on the roster. These similarities have led many to compare the games, and it seems as though retailers have recognized this as well, and think thatBattlebornandOverwatchare in direct competition with each other.
It’s unclear how much the fan base forBattlebornoverlaps with those interested inOverwatch, but retail giants must think that there is at least some overlap. The price drop seems to indicate that consumers that are interested in bothBattlebornandOverwatchwill be choosing one game over the other, and so retailers have adjusted the price ofBattlebornaccordingly.
Another possibility is thatBattlebornsales have been slowing down in the weeks since its release. We gaveBattleborna mixed review, as did most other publications, and that combined with heavy competition fromDoom,Uncharted 4, andOverwatchthis month may have resulted in the game not meeting sales expectations.
Furthermore, the marketing forBattlebornleft something to be desired, with the game having a bit of an identity crisis. Gearbox has insisted thatBattlebornisn’t a MOBA, despite the game being clearly inspired by the genre, and having game modes that echo popular MOBA titles likeLeague of Legends. Considering the current popularity of the MOBA genre, it seems odd that Gearbox didn’t try to play upBattleborn’s MOBA sensibilities instead.
Regardless of what genreBattlebornfalls under, we know that sales for the game started off strong, but in a recent investors call, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said that the game may not enjoy the same sales success as the games in Gearbox’sBorderlandsfranchise. It would make sense for Zelnick to ease investor expectations ofBattleborn’s performance if it is already struggling in sales, which could be further evidence that poor sales performance is why the game is being hit with a price drop already.
WhetherBattleborn’s price drop has come due to incoming competition fromOverwatchor the game failing to maintain its initially strong sales, the fact remains that gamers can now pick it up for $20 cheaper. It will be interesting to see ifBattleborn’s price drop helps it turn around any sales misfortunes it may be having, and keeps it relevant even afterOverwatchlaunches.
Battlebornis available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
