When Wedbush Securities' Michael Pachter speaks, everyone listens. And then the entire gaming community lets out a groan because they can't handle the outspoken analyst's criticisms, estimations, and predictions.
Brace yourselves, because Pachter is back, and offering comment on The Order: 1886, the PlayStation 4's first exclusive blockbuster of this young year. Despite the controversy surrounding The Order: 1886's gameplay length, Pachter is confident that the game will actually sell in the millions.
“It’s a really good exclusive title and I think it attaches at a pretty high rate to the install base so probably 3.5 to 4 million of the install base, and then I think it will probably attract another 1 to 2 million to buy a PlayStation 4 in the next few months. So I would imagine it would be 5 million through the year’s end and it’s great,” Pachter said in an interview with GamingBolt.
Pachter even believes the title could sell upwards of 10 to 12 million copies with help from a holiday season that could see the gamed bundled with the PlayStation 4.
“[Sony] They are going to keep selling PS4s so the trick is that this title is coming out early in the year but it’s going to sell really well in the Fall and it will probably be $40 during Holidays and if they bundle it with the PlayStation 4 which is how they will; I think the February launch is planned in such way that come Black Friday and they could give you The Order for free if you buy the PS4. So could end up selling 10-12 million because they can give away that many copies. But it’s going to do well.”
Latest comment from Sony reveals that 18.5 million PS4s have been sold through to consumers since the system's launch in November 2013. Not bad considering the system still doesn't have that 'must-buy' exclusive. Could The Order: 1886 be that game? While Sony's exclusives are typically met with praise, sales don't always reflect the critical reception.
Lack of multiplayer, a reportedly short story, and a relatively niche theme, I have a hard time believing The Order: 1886 will appeal to the masses. That being said, I could also see a community starved for exclusives pounce on the first big title of 2015. So basically, I have no idea — just play the game if you want. I'll be playing it because I love a good story and Sony exclusives tend to deliver such.
