It is well noted that during the month of July is not a bed of roses for the gaming industry. This period has been dubbed as the Summer Gaming drought. Along time dispersion, that we as Kenyans can call it, the Cold Gaming drought due to the cold season of June and July. Despite many gamers using this as a period to borrow games from friends and finish campaigns, gamers still do not feel at ease during this time. Worse still, if you are in your teens, the worst your parent can say that dreaded statement,”Go play outside”.
It is true that very few games or practically none release within this period. I would have to agree and disagree at the same time. Just because games don’t sell does not mean there is a drought. There are loads of stores online that sell software related products during that time like Steam with the popular Steam Summer sale, Origin, PSN, Xbox Live and more. The many games and DLCs on offer can put the gaming industry busy at this time though not as top as its relative E3 peak but somewhere to keep us in the know.
On n4g, I got a forum of the same where user Showtimefolks says “i don’t know when publishers will learn that you can release games during summer and make money. Grand Theft Auto IV, The Last Of Us and Metal Gear Solid IVÂ all came out during summer months yet sold quite well”
I would say its more of a psychological myth depending on how one views it. Around August or as many deem it, Fall, is when the releases come in full throttle. So for you gamers, what would you be doing during the Summer or Cold Gaming Drought?