After analyzing review metascore of all games that sold more than 10,000 units in USA and correlating them to sales numbers, EEDAR found that gamers pay the most attention to review scores early in a platform's lifespan.
According to the video game research and sales forecasting services company, the correlation between review scores and year one's total sales is at its highest during the first one third of any platform is higher. After that, the correlation weakens gradually.
According to EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich, at or near launch of a new console, "a title is less likely to succeed on brand power alone."
"Consumers have just dropped $400 to $500 on a new platform, so those first $60 software purchases are critical and consumers will mitigate their risk of buying a game they may not like by applying more due diligence such as reading more review articles or asking core gamers in their social circles who traditionally keep their finger on the pulse of what's good and what's not."
Based on its data analysis, EEDAR believes that a new console launch is the perfect time to launch high quality new IP while brand power is at its least effectiveness. As an example, the firm notes that Call of Duty 2's success during Xbox 360' launch was the main reason why the series gained its brand power.
EEDAR also noticed that platforms with more casual user bases tend to less affected by review scores.