Half Price = 3000% increase in sales !

**Mcstrange** · 02-25-09, 11:05 PM

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57308

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell announced during a DICE keynote today that last weekend's half-price sale of Left 4 Dead resulted in a 3000% increase in sales of the game, posting overall sales that beat the title's original launch performance.

Newell also mentioned that new Steam customers jumped 1600% over the same weekend, according to G4TV. Retail sales remained constant.

Sales of Team Fortress 2 went up 106% following a free update to the game. Retail wasn't left out in this case, with sales jumping 28%.

The massive Steam holiday sale was also a big win for Valve and its partners. The following holiday sales data was released, showing the sales breakdown organized by price reduction:

* 10% sale = 35% increase in sales (real dollars, not units shipped)
* 25% sale = 245% increase in sales
* 50% sale = 320% increase in sales
* 75% sale = 1470% increase in sales

Furthermore, Valve has hired an experimental psychologist to maximize the excitement of Steam sales and other marketing opportunities. According to Newell, one suggestion by the psychologist was to provide one free copy of a Valve game to every 25th buyer of Left 4 Dead.

Thats still absolutely unbelievable, one 1/2 off weekend and they outsell the original release date. Sometimes valve makes mistakes, confuses and pissed me off, but DAMN they are on top of the game.

Certainly helped by the absolutely fucking incredible game that L4D is, but I really hope other companies are paying attention, there are a lot of games out there that I dont consider worth 50$ but would consider them if they are at the 25$ while they are still relevant. Usually by the time something gets down to that price point in the normal market ive nearly forgotten about it.

**flame** · 02-26-09, 12:42 AM

I bought L4D on the half price weekend. Wasn't real sure about it for $50 since I have other things I want but for $25 it was a good deal. I like the game not a super favorite but a good game none the less.