Friday releases

MrMoonX · 17 Jul 2009 at 13:49

Why do games always come out on a friday in the UK?? is there any reason for this

matty114 · 17 Jul 2009 at 13:55

Because it's the weekend and kids are off school for 2 days? or because people get paid at the end of the week?

rp2000 · 17 Jul 2009 at 14:01

Don't know the answer, but bumping as a I am semi curious if there is a particular reason.

rp2000

Dup · 17 Jul 2009 at 14:08

Becasue historically video games are aimed at children and high street wise they are more likely to get a copy on a weekend I suppose. Plus, most people go shopping ona weekend.

That way sales records may look better as the game is bought immedaitely on release.

monkeyspank · 17 Jul 2009 at 14:12

Do they do this with music as well?

rp2000 · 17 Jul 2009 at 14:16

monkeyspank said:
Do they do this with music as well?

Mondays for music and dvd/vhs releases as the norm (I think). Fridays for Movies and games.

Seeing as all 4 of those mediums these days cover very similar audiences I dunno why different release days. I am sure there is a "historic" reason and it has always been done that way since because people do not like change!!

rp2000

Wyrdo · 17 Jul 2009 at 14:21

rp2000 said:
Mondays for music and dvd/vhs releases as the norm (I think). Fridays for Movies and games.

Yup, that's correct.

Different days in different countries too. In the US it's Tuesday for games.

No idea if the following is true, found it elsewhere.

One, it was put on a Friday – and by all means, correct me if I’m wrong – specifically because Music and DVDs launched on a Monday and they wanted to avoid cross over and congestion.

El_Watcher · 17 Jul 2009 at 15:45

I would imagine it is Monday for music because of the weekly chart, which allowed the full week of sales before the next Sunday chart.

Friday for games may have been to seperate it from music, but could also have been as it is easier to control early release. If you release a game on Monday, you have to ship to stores on Friday/Saturday, therefore they can sell them early, whereas Friday release, can be shipped on Thursday, stopping anyone selling early. There is always problems with this, but it is only a theory.