As predicted - sort of - in yesterday's blog, Flatout, the rather excellent new 360 racing game, has seen its sales suffer from racing game fatigue. Ok, 14 in the All Formats chart isn't *that* bad, but releasing within weeks of Colin McRae DiRT and Forza seems pretty shortsighted. Forza, the hugely deep and rather scary car sim, is the main issue. Any 360 owner who has any interest in motorsport will have picked this up and is probably still knee deep in virtual grease. Those who wanted a less formal spin will have picked up DiRT, leaving Flatout's potential audience with their hands already full.
So who decides when a game is released? Sure, there are economic, marketing and other pressures to launch on a title on a certain date but surely a quick look at your competitors release schedules has to be a factor as well?
