Why did sleeping dogs fail?

 

About sleeping dogs

"Sleeping Dogs" is an open-world action-adventure game developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix. The game was released in August 2012 for various platforms, including PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. It later received a remastered version called "Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition," which included improved visuals and all previously released downloadable content.

The game is set in a fictionalized version of Hong Kong and follows the story of Wei Shen, an undercover cop tasked with infiltrating and taking down a criminal organization known as the Sun On Yee Triad. Players navigate the city, complete various missions, engage in hand-to-hand combat, and participate in driving sequences. The game features a mix of action, exploration, driving, and some role-playing elements.

Key features and elements of "Sleeping Dogs" include:

1. **Storytelling:** The game places a strong emphasis on its narrative, which explores Wei Shen's struggles as he balances his loyalty to the police force and his ties to the criminal organization he's infiltrating.

2. **Combat:** The hand-to-hand combat system is often praised for its fluidity and cinematic feel. Players can execute various melee attacks, counters, and grapples to take down enemies.

3. **Driving:** The game features driving sequences that range from high-speed chases to more leisurely exploration. The driving mechanics are designed to mimic the intensity of Hong Kong's busy streets.

4. **Open World:** The game's open-world environment is a detailed representation of Hong Kong, complete with bustling markets, vibrant neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks. Players can explore the city on foot or by various vehicles.

5. **Undercover Mechanics:** As Wei Shen, players need to maintain their cover within the criminal organization. This adds an additional layer of tension and strategy to interactions with other characters.

6. **Missions and Activities:** In addition to the main storyline, players can engage in various side activities, including martial arts tournaments, street races, and karaoke. These activities provide a break from the main plot and add to the game's overall immersion.

7. **Character Development:** As players progress, Wei Shen gains experience points that can be used to unlock new abilities, upgrades, and moves, enhancing combat and exploration.

While "Sleeping Dogs" wasn't as commercially successful as some other open-world games, it gained a dedicated fan base and received positive reviews for its engaging story, well-designed combat system, and its portrayal of the vibrant Hong Kong setting. The game's legacy lives on, and many players still fondly remember their time exploring its virtual world and experiencing its unique blend of action and drama.

Reasons for fail

"Sleeping Dogs" is often considered by many players and critics to be a well-received game, but it didn't achieve the same level of commercial success as some other open-world titles. While it might not be accurate to label it as a complete failure, there are several factors that could explain why it didn't reach the same level of popularity as some of its peers:

1. **Timing and Competition:** "Sleeping Dogs" was released in August 2012, a period that saw the release of several high-profile games like "Darksiders II," "Borderlands 2," and "Guild Wars 2." The game faced strong competition that could have affected its visibility and sales.

2. **Marketing:** The game's marketing campaign might not have been as aggressive or widespread as some other big titles. This could have impacted the game's visibility and its ability to attract a wider audience.

3. **Ownership Change:** "Sleeping Dogs" started development as a new installment in the "True Crime" series by Activision. However, it was later cancelled by Activision and picked up by Square Enix. This change in ownership and rebranding might have caused confusion among potential players.

4. **Genre Saturation:** By 2012, the open-world action-adventure genre was already quite saturated with successful franchises like "Grand Theft Auto," "Saints Row," and "Assassin's Creed." It might have been challenging for "Sleeping Dogs" to stand out in such a crowded field.

5. **Lack of Franchise Recognition:** "Sleeping Dogs" was a new IP, which means it didn't have an established fan base like some other games. Recognizable franchises tend to have a head start in terms of attracting players.

6. **Initial Perception:** Some players might have dismissed the game as just another GTA clone due to its open-world crime setting. This perception could have impacted the initial reception of the game.

7. **Technical Issues:** Like many games, "Sleeping Dogs" had its share of technical issues at launch, including bugs and glitches. This can affect player enjoyment and word-of-mouth recommendations.

8. **Limited Platforms:** At launch, "Sleeping Dogs" was available on a limited number of platforms, primarily PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. This might have limited its potential audience compared to games released on a broader range of platforms.

Despite these factors, "Sleeping Dogs" has managed to build a dedicated fan base over the years, and it's often praised for its engaging story, combat mechanics, and the detailed open-world representation of Hong Kong. In fact, the game's positive reputation has led to discussions and hopes for a potential sequel or spiritual successor.

Game Ratings 

"Sleeping Dogs" received generally favorable reviews from both players and critics. On platforms like Metacritic, which aggregates reviews from various sources, the game typically received scores in the range of 75 to 85 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable" or "favorable" reviews.

Here are a few examples of review scores from different sources:

- Metacritic (Xbox 360): The game has an average score of around 80/100 based on critic reviews.

- Metacritic (PlayStation 3): The average score for the PS3 version is also around 80/100 based on critic reviews.

- Metacritic (PC): The PC version received slightly lower scores, averaging around 75/100 based on critic reviews.

These scores suggest that "Sleeping Dogs" was well-received, but it didn't achieve the same level of critical acclaim as some other blockbuster open-world games. However, it's important to note that reviews are subjective, and individual opinions on the game can vary widely. Many players and critics praised the game's engaging story, combat mechanics, and the detailed open-world representation of Hong Kong.