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NOUGHTIES RETROSPECTIVE: 2001
[SEGA SAGA] IN EARLY 2001 Sega confirmed that it was calling it quits on games hardware, and that it would switch from being format-holder for the Dreamcast to a third-party publisher. It was a defining time for Sega’s business globally. In Europe, numerous key staff left – including boss Kazutoshi Miyake – as the company shrank and regrouped. Not everyone lost hope, though. While Sega threw its weight behind Xbox, UK distributor Planet was convinced there was still a market for the console, and took over distribution of all the remaining stock for the following 12 months.
[CHART ATTACK] REGULAR WEEKLY SALES charts are the staple of every major entertainment sector – but in 2001 that all came under threat. Grumbling retailers said they were unhappy the weekly charts contained competitive sales data, and wanted them scrapped. Thankfully, crisis talks between ELSPA, publishers and retail hammered out a deal that saved the weekly list but dropped sales details. It might still jar a little today – given the free flow of information and values in the music, book and box office charts – but it’s better than nothing.
[GRAND THEFT AUTEUR] THIS YEAR ALSO saw the launch of Grand Theft Auto III. As hype built for rival machines, Sony was quick to act: Previous releases had been a big hit on PC, PSX and Dreamcast, so it squirreled year-long exclusivity rights to the game. It was a good call. GTAIII became one of the fastest selling launch games ever (for the time) – although the real success would be seen the following year with the quick release of sequel Vice City (turn over for more on that).
[ECTS EXAMINED]
[LEND US A TENNER?] ACTUALLY, DON’T – JUST leave it right there. Continuing our trawl through games marketing’s weirdest moments, we’ve unearthed this gem. Well, if gems are able to melt human eyes with a single glance, that is. Picture the scene: with software for the first PlayStation still selling quick at bargain prices, publishers were milking the market by rereleasing classic games at under £10. One such publisher was Codemasters, which was doing a roaring trade with cheap Colin reissues. So what better way to show all of that off – along with a bunch of other curiously smooth and hairless things, it seems – than getting Codemasters CEO David Darling to strip off?
2001 SAW THE cracks appear in the foundations of another industry staple, too – trade show ECTS. It had been running since 1988, but its 14th outing was met with mixed opinions. Despite a stronger international contingent, the lack of big product unveilings, poor ExCeL venue and weakened UK attendance sparked concerns over the show. Of course the real trouble wouldn’t start until ELSPA launched a rival show a few years later. These retrospectives still have that to look forward to. Yay…
[2001: THE TOP TEN GAMES] Title
Publisher
Format
1 Harry Potter: Philosopher’s Stone EA
PSone, PC, GC, GBA
2 Grand Theft Auto III
Take 2
PS2
3 FIFA 2002
EA
4 Gran Turismo 3
Sony
5 Pokémon Gold
Nintendo
6 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Activision
7 Pokémon Silver
Nintendo
8 The Simpsons Wrestling
Fox Interactive
9 Championship Manager 01/02
Eidos
10 Theme Park World
EA
PS2, PSone, PC PS2 GC GBA, PSone, DC, PC, GC, Mac GC PSone PC, Mac PSone, PC, PS2, Mac