Regarding the Larger Budget

[Lord Golog]

Much ado has been made about Rome 2 getting a significantly higher amount of funding from Sega than previous releases. But can anyone confirm whether the larger budget is actually going toward development, or if the lion's share is being used for marketing? Many AAA games have massive budgets, but often times a significant portion, as much as half, is used on marketing and PR.

[Augustus Scipius]

I think there is no source on that. But considering they have made a live action trailer, which usually cost so much to make that one would have to pay through one's nose to fund them, it is fairly certain that at least 50% of their extra budget goes to marketing.

[Durnaug]

I think there is no source on that. But considering they have made a live action trailer, which usually cost so much to make that one would have to pay through one's nose to fund them, it is fairly certain that at least 50% of their extra budget goes to marketing.

This. "Blood and Sand" trailer trash, in my jaundiced viewpoint. But hey, at least some filmmakers and actors got some dosh which is always cool in my book

I would rather have seen a montage of Julius Caesar all dressed up as the fashion setter of Republican Rome, debating Cicero and then a voice over (Caesar's inner thoughts?) reminding us that true glory can only be found on the battlefield - cut to Julius fighting with his men and covered in mud, blood and guts. No longer in his finery but showing his quality, his auctoritas!

[Veliky Kaiser Theos]

I don't see the point in spending large amounts of money on advertising. They've made a name for themselves the good way: by making quality products.

[Rasic]

I don't think anyone can confirm the specifics of CA's budget, but just using some common sense when looking at the gaming market will tell you they aren't required to put a massive investment into marketing to achieve the same or similar sales numbers.

If you look at games like 'Call of Duty' or 'World of Warcraft' they are under constant and direct competition enough to warrant the huge advertising investment. When you go to the game store or browse steam for a historical strategy game these days you are hard pressed to find anything in the same category as Total War. There are good RTS games like starcraft 2 and great grand startegy games like Crusader Kings 2, but nothing that mixes the two with a historical emphasis.

Until viable competition emerges they would basically be wasting money doing mass non-targeted marketing. They make the game the best it can be and the interviews, previews, YouTube "let's play", and host of other free marketing sells the game for them. They truly are in the golden spot of the gaming market. I wouldn't be surprised if the decision to go for this "human feel" isn't, at least partially, an attempt to make the game play and feel more like you're watching a movie. Thus creating some great videos for those interested in checking it out, without revealing too much that's under the hood which makes the game actually play well or not in the long run.

[Adreno]

Tbh i dont think they have to do that much marketing at all.. this will be one of the most anticipated pc titles theyve made, it will sell itself.. also im sure developing and marketing budgets are separated.. so 40% extra budget doesnt neccessarily mean 40% more spend on marketing..

[sleepyx732]

The emphasize they have stated multiple times is giving Rome II that "human feel" and as we have seen from the screen shots the graphics have much improved and is still 6-12 months from release.

I'm pretty confident that 39% of that 40% increased budgets is going towards that "human feel" and the other 1% went to hiring a new AI guy.

[MathiasOfAthens]

I can unofficially confirm that about 1% or £1,000,000 will be going into the Modding summit on Wednesday.

[oppaiO_O]

is my understandment that they spend a hefty amount on that new and shiny motion capture studio they showed on the gangman style vid....im guessing theres still some left and that went to the commercial promotion trailer thingy and i heard somewhere that they hired new people because Rome 2 has the most people working on it from any other title....if they still got something left over then hope they spend wisely.....

[MathiasOfAthens]

That motion studio dramatically reduces the amount of work required. And when we talk about the amount of units that will be in the new game that investment in the studio is worth it.

[Mincecraft]

I'm sure they're spending it just fine. I got faith in 'em not to waste it.

[Anna_Gein]

So shiny content and marketing ?
wonderful ....

I guess I should be happy to know the same amount of the original budget could be use elsewhere.

[Wowwars]

Well I do think CA should maybe make a USA,CA/EU Advertisement if possible because i havent seen a TW game on TV since Rome: TW on bloody history channel in school.

[B. W.]

Well I do think CA should maybe make a USA,CA/EU Advertisement if possible because i havent seen a TW game on TV since Rome: TW on bloody history channel in school.

If you want to reach the most varied and largest audience in America there's only one venue that will give you that and that's Superbowl Sunday. Look at what a thirty second Ad did for Apple way back when.

Personally, I think a Superbowl Ad would be spectacular. Imagine how many people who've never even heard of TW that would be blown away.

[Ethien]

If you want to reach the most varied and largest audience in America there's only one venue that will give you that and that's Superbowl Sunday. Look at what a thirty second Ad did for Apple way back when.

Personally, I think a Superbowl Ad would be spectacular. Imagine how many people who've never even heard of TW that would be blown away.

I would support that to be honest, just to give such a massive boost of sales. Though I don't watch it myself or know if anything besides triple A games have gotten onto that much desired time slot.

[Irishman]

Prettier graphics. That is all we will see.

[nameless]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it companies like SEGA's job to market the game while the devs work on making it to begin with?

[Prof]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it companies like SEGA's job to market the game while the devs work on making it to begin with?

That's correct. The developers develop and the publishers get the game to the customer (including marketing)

[MonkeyD]

I'd be pretty happy if I can see an advert for Rome II on TV. I already know CA is gonna give us something great, so I'd love it if more people knew about the franchise.

[Anna_Gein]

That's correct. The developers develop and the publishers get the game to the customer (including marketing)

So did the trailer was financed by Sega or CA for example ?
Could we really know it or it is a simple (even if it is the more logical) assumption ?