Homefront Message Board older than one year ago

Major Nelson has released the Xbox Live activity numbers for the week of March 14, and things are looking good for THQ's Homefront. After less than a week on the shelves, Homefront debuted at number six on the charts. While a far cry from the top spot (unsurprisingly occupied by Black Ops), it's still impressive for a brand new property, especially in its first week. Then again, given Homefront's sales figures, a strong showing on Xbox Live isn't too shocking.

On the Xbox Live Arcade front, newcomer Full House Poker took the top spot, with Runic's Torchlight coming in second. The XBLA version of Battle: Los Angeles, despite a complete lack of marketing, landed in third. Oh, you hadn't heard? Yes, there totally is a Battle: Los Angeles game on XBLA.

THQ has shined its best bugle to announce that Homefront is a success: today, the publisher revealed the game has managed to infiltrate one million homes in North America, Europe and Asia. Last week, the game was the top seller on UK Chart Track.

Additionally, THQ reveals that 2.4 million copies have been shipped. "We are very pleased with strong worldwide shipments and sell-through for Homefront, and we continue to fulfill new retail orders for the game across the globe," concluded THQ president and CEO, Brian Farrell, in the announcement.

THQ continues to tout amazing Homefront sales. The publisher said today it has sold an estimated 1 million copies across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific markets. It has also shipped 2.4 million units to retail since launch...

Homefront has had an interesting ride so far. Touted as THQ's most pre-ordered game in company history, it debuted to middling reviews (ours included), which seemingly triggered a massive decline in THQ's stock price. Still, despite reviews, THQ announced over 375,000 units in first day sales. It's also worth noting that both Amazon and Walmart knocked $20 off Homefront the day after it released, which probably aided sales as well.

Whether or not Homefront proves profitable for THQ, well, that's where analysts come in! Speaking to Benzinga, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter noted that THQ would need to move two million units to break even. In light of the need to move in excess of two million to yield a profit, Pachter called day one sales "a disappointing start," adding that poor reviews could lead to stagnating sales moving forward. That said, Pachter does expect the title to at least break even.

Bradley Safalow of PAA Research pins Homefront's low review scores on its short single-player campaign. Had the campaign been two to three hours longer, said Safalow, "then it could have achieved a Metacritic of 80." Safalow believes Homefront could bring in a "modest profit" for THQ, though he has much higher hopes for Saints Row: The Third.

Finally, Wall Street Strategies' Brian Sozzi expects Homefront to meet THQ's overall sales goals with the help of downloadable content. Like Safalow, Sozzi's firm is also "optimistic" regarding Saints Row: The Third and Red Faction: Armageddon.

THQ's near-future shooter did the business over the weekend as it saw off Dragon Age II and Pokemon to top the UK charts. A lukewarm response has done little to cool enthusiasm for the game, and having shifted over 300,000 units on its first day on sale in North America it has seen the success r...

Homefront was finally released in the UK yesterday after a pointless three day delay. Unfortunately a wayward postie failed to deliver our copy in time for a day one review. Day two it is then, because wow, this isn’t very long. But is it concentrated glory, still worth your time? Read on to find out Wot I Think.

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Will Homefront compel you to fight or to just stay home? Find out in our official Homefront review!

Kaos Studios responded to reports of "freezing" issues and other bugs in Homefront by pushing out a patch for the PS3 version of the game last night at approximately 8PM ET. In its announcement, the developer claimed that "far fewer issues" had been reported for the Xbox 360 version, though a title update was in the works nonetheless. Additionally, a "small hotfix" was released for the PC version yesterday, to be followed by "a patch with full change-list in the near future."

Following the update's release via PlayStation Network, a few worrisome comments began to appear below the announcement post. "I thik [sic] they broke the game," observed one commenter complaining of lag. "I hadn't had any lock up problems till this update, now all it does is lock up making the game unplayable for me," posted another.

"I too have lost my rank (PS3)," reads a more alarming comment, "I was rank 24 and i played a game and noticed i was back to 2." This issue of reset player ranks and XP appears not to be an unintended side effect of the patch, but rather an ongoing issue since the game's launch earlier this week, acknowledged by Kaos yesterday afternoon. "We are aware of the buggy leader boards and stat tracking issues and it is being addressed in an upcoming patch," promised Kaos' Dan Matlack in response to one of the many, many forum threads on the issue.

While the stats reset bug was not addressed in last night's update, Kaos' patch notes did highlight the introduction of "several fixes for reported freezes." In the main "PS3 'Freezing' Issues" thread, posters have reported mostly failed results. In the "Multiplayer Status Update" thread, similar complaints about freezing have appeared following the patch's release, in addition to reported server connection and party system failures.

Still, some forum-goers remain optimistic: "great patch, the only problem im still having is my ps3 is freezes usually after every other game," posted a cheery St0rMiN_X_NoRMaN.

[Thanks, Gwynne]

There is definitely a war going on in Homefront, especially in the game's review scores. We weren't exactly keen on the game, but hardly anybody seems to be. The general consensus has the game taking significant lambasting by outlets over the short, mediocre single-player campaign, tempered by what the title has going on in multiplayer:

• GamePro (4/5): "Homefront does a whole lot right, delivering powerful imagery and actions on the single-player side, as well as interesting multiplayer alterations, but neither end feels fully realized. ... Should Kaos expand on this promising start with meaningful and memorable additions in a sequel, Homefront may prove a potent franchise in no time at all."
• Game Informer (70/100): "Thanks to some well-crafted maps and a unique in-game economy, the multiplayer fares better than the campaign. Rather than give each team a set number of vehicles at the start of the match, Homefront rewards you with Battle Points for each kill, assist, or flag capture."
• IGN (70/100): "[Homefront] controls and feels like a typical shooter, looks like a game that's several years old, and most importantly, has an inexcusably brief campaign. Multiplayer is Homefront's redeeming quality, and those gamers out there who are like me and swoon for alternate/future history settings should certainly look into it. "
• 1UP (B-): "Kaos Studios has made a competent shooter to accompany an engrossing story, one I'm more than willing to finish (assuming a sequel will be made). Multiplayer is where the game's real value lies, and it's certainly more than competent. There's a polish to the online mode that speaks to the developer's true talent."
• Giant Bomb (3/5): "Whether or not you decide to pick up Homefront should rely entirely on how much you want to play its multiplayer. It's not quite exciting or remarkable enough to trump the current giants of online dude-shooting, but it's a solidly crafted mode made comparatively impressive by just how tremendously mediocre the game's single-player campaign proves to be."

This spoileriffic cinematic sets the scene for Homefront's story.

Homefront developer Kaos Studios notes on its forums that it's currently investigating reports of the game "freezing" on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. The company asks for patience, as it "will need a bit of time" to figure out what the problem is. Of course, if they do figure it out, then comes the console certification process (fun times).

THQ and Kaos Studios can't seem to catch a break during the high-profile Homefront's launch week. Despite solid initial sales of 375,000 units of the game, bad review scores have punched THQ's stock price and yesterday's pricing "race to the bottom" by Amazon and Walmart didn't help perception. For its part, THQ issued the following comment on the price drops:
Amazon and Wal-Mart.com have raised the prices back up and it was a one day play to gain market share on the biggest title in the industry right now. THQ did not support this in any way, shape, or form.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that first day sales of Homefront, its thrilling first person shooter with outstanding multiplayer, approximated 375,000 units in North America. The game is scheduled to ship in Europe and Asia Pacific throughout this week...

The real headline here is that Homefront has sold 375,000 copies on its first day of release. In the US. Where it has been released. Unlike the rest of the world. And honestly, I’ve had enough of this nonsense. So you know what – I’m going to get it changed. I pledge that by this time next year, games will be released on the same day in the UK as they are in the US. The rest of the world, you can organise your own campaigns. I’m only one man, with one powerful website behind him. Watching Homefront preload, even though the internet contains no oceans.

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Despite some rough reviews for Homefront (including our own) and a nasty dip in stock price (it's still down), things aren't all frowny face in THQ Land. Homefront already had the distinction of being the most pre-ordered title in THQ history and now, just one day after launch, THQ is trumpeting "robust" first day North American sales of approximately 375,000 units.

Of course, nothing says "successful multiplayer game" like a server boost, and THQ core games veep Danny Bilson is happy to note as much. "Due to the strong and growing demand for Homefront's multiplayer, we continue to add dedicated server capacity," Bilson said in a press release. Bilson's boss, CEO Brian Farrell, added, "We are delighted with first day sales for Homefront and are already fulfilling re-orders for the game from multiple retailers." $20 says that two of those retailers are Walmart and Amazon.

THQ today announced the first day sales for Homefront in North America hit 375,000 units sold...

#review I nearly wept during the opening of Homefront. More »

Just as Homefront's citizen soldiers attempt to roll back a fictionalized North Korean invasion of our homes and chain restaurants, Walmart and Amazon have valiantly rolled back the price of the newly launched game.

Just a day after Homefront's official release date, monolithic superstore Walmart began selling the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game for $41.96, both in store and online. Online purchases also include an "exclusive Goliath Drone Avatar." (The PC edition remains $49.96.)

Seemingly in response to Walmart's discount (it's unknown whether it's temporary or permanent), Amazon has dropped its Homefront console copies to exactly the same $41.96 price. The game's approaching "White Castle takeout" prices at a rapid clip!

"If THQ can come up with a couple of franchises that sell well, that's a much clearer path to profitability and a higher stock price." -- Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets

"75" -- Metacritic score for Homefront, the most pre-ordered title in THQ's history

"This score is a bit of a disaster for THQ and the share price today is reflecting that." -- Mike Hickey of Janco Partners

It's kill or be killed on American turf in Homefront's Team Deathmatch.

The battle ensues in classic Team Deathmatch style in Homefront's multiplayer mode.

Hold your ground in this alternate gameplay mode in Homefront multiplayer.

Tyranny spreads closer to home than ever in the opening moments of Homefront's single-player campaign.