Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

[RaychelSnr]

Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL owners confirmed Thursday that the league is prepared to enter a lockout if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by September 15, 2012.

With EA Sports' NHL 13 hitting stores September 11, 2012, it is becoming extremely likely that the sole surviving NHL video game franchise could release during a league-wide work stoppage which on the surface seems an exceedingly bad idea.

Could this lockout impact the sales of NHL 13? To decide, let's review a few recent league lockouts and see how their video game equivalents fared during those years.

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[gopher_guy]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

Gotta think they will figure something out.

They are in negotiation mode right now, so they may say they are prepared for a lockout now, but when it comes down to the wire, they all know how damaging another lockout would be to the sport.

[dukebeatsuncagain]

If it happens, I don't think it will effect sales much. The casual NHL fans will still be drawn in by all the new features in the game this year, and the die hard NHL fan will buy it because it might be the only NHL on their TV for a while.

[Retropyro]

Lockouts or strikes have never influenced my buying decision personally.

[mercalnd]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

What the article failed to take into consideration is that the lockout in 2004 actually caused teh entire season to be cancelled. NBA 2K12 sales, while low at first, picked up once the lockout ended and the season started.

I highly doubt that the NHL will be stupid enough to cancel another season so, with teh game as good as it seems, any damage to early sales due to a lockout should be mitigated once the league gets up and running again.

[Vikes1]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

Matt pretty much summed up my thoughts.

If God forbid a lockout dragged on deep into the season, maybe people who didn't buy the game at launch, might lose interest in buying months later.

A lockout would be a major drag. Seems like the NHL is now really back on it's feet. Another lengthy dispute imo, would be very bad for all. The two sides just can't let this happen again.

[BaylorBearBryant]

I'd be SHOCKED if we miss any regular season games. Worst case scenario, we have a shortened season like the NBA.

[Nomah5]

US Nhl fans are fans. I know if there is a lockout looming and selfishly hope its doesnt happen ( Season ticket holder to coyotes----lockout would seal coffin in the desert) I know NHL 13 will be on my TV nightly if games arent.

[BCDX97]

The year they didn't play, I didn't buy the game. I was in no mood to play it with them bickering over money. It was pathetic and I hope they get their act together quickly, because I don't want to miss another season (and the accompanying game).

[stooge 1010]

i think if there is a lockout people will want the game more ,since we cant watch it,we will have to get it some way.

[crankybaker]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

A few threads on this now.... We have some worried fans.

It will suck so hard if I can't watch 82 games of the mighty pens but I doubt the sales will really be affected in the long run. As the core will pick up the game no matter what, and most of the fence sitters are keen for this title with all the new features.

[jfrost32]

Another lock out? Jesus NHL do you understand by strikes and lockouts you lose alot of fans, tv contracts etc.? I mean you were just slightly getting your fan base back and stuff and now you just threw it away, good job greedy rich people

[kejimutoh]

Good Old Gary. He is such a joke! Tries to promote the sport, then stuff like this happens. He has such a great track record. He has been a complete failure ever since he became the MAN of the NHL. I know it takes 2 to tango, but man, when something positive for the sport has happened, he never seems to take the "moment" to get a bigger audience to watch the sport.

If the lockout does take place, I think it will affect the sale of the game. As for the game I hope it is as good as EA is ranting with its new elements they say that they have put into the game. I am glad I can come to OS to read what the staff and forum members say about the game.

[kerosene31]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

Wasn't NHL 2005 one of the worst games in the series? I couldn't see a lockout impacting things that much. Wasn't 2k5 way better that year? I remember a lot of people sticking with 2004 on PC with updated rosters rather than going to 05.

[jyoung]

Re: Could a Lockout Affect NHL 13's Sales?

Wasn't NHL 2005 one of the worst games in the series? I couldn't see a lockout impacting things that much. Wasn't 2k5 way better that year? I remember a lot of people sticking with 2004 on PC with updated rosters rather than going to 05.

EA's hockey titles really struggled to match 2K's quality in the early-to-mid-2000s. I remember getting NHL 2K for the Dreamcast, and there was no going back to EA hockey after that. It was such a mind-blowing game for the time, much the way NHL 98 had been just a few years ago.

It wasn't until NHL 07 that EA hockey games started to regain my interest.