THQ's Homefront 2/Survey Report

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==Objectives and Methodology==
Objectives
*Gauge the overall appeal of Homefront 2.
*Identify strengths and areas of improvement.
Methodology
*1071 male gamers, ages 17 to 45, participated in this study.
*Within the target audience, all respondents own a PC, PlayStation 3, or Xbox 360 and are fans of first-person shooter games.
*Respondents are divided into two segments based on ownership of Homefront:
**Homefront Owners (n=531)
**Non-Owners (n=540)
==Executive Summary==
Expected Overall Fun and Play Interest are above norms for Homefront Owners and within norms for Non-Owners.
*Homefront Owners rate expected Overall Fun above norms at 8.5 out of 10. Non-Owners rate it within norms at 7.7 out of 10 (normative range: 7.5-8.0).
*Homefront Owners rate Play Interest above norms at 8.6 out of 10. Non-Owners rate it within norms at 7.6 out of 10 (normative range: 7.5-8.0).
The Crytek association has a very positive effect on respondents’ purchase intent. 
*32% of respondents are “much more likely to purchase” a new first-person shooter title developed by Crytek. 37% are “more likely to purchase.”
The majority of respondents consider the core concept to be a plausible story. 
*32% of Homefront Owners and 23% of Non-Owners feel a North Korean invasion of America in 2027 would be “very plausible.” 37% of Homefront Owners and 34% of Non-Owners feel it would be “plausible.”
“Customized Weapons” is the most interesting feature of Homefront 2.
*Respondents rate “Customized Weapons” significantly higher than any other feature at 8.3 out of 10. “The Workbench” and “Moral Dilemmas” are both next highest at 8.1 out of 10.
==Key Metrics==
*Homefront Owners rate expected Overall Fun above norms at 8.5 out of 10. Non-Owners rate it within norms at 7.7 out of 10 (normative range: 7.5-8.0).
*Homefront Owners rate Play Interest above norms at 8.6 out of 10. Non-Owners rate it within norms at 7.6 out of 10 (normative range: 7.5-8.0).
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Overall Fun is directionally highest after exposure to the feature set
*Respondents rate Overall Fun at 8.0 out of 10 after exposure to the positioning statements, at 7.9 out of 10 after exposure to the concept description, and at 8.1 out of 10 after exposure to the feature set.
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Play Interest is directionally highest after exposure to the feature set
*Respondents rate Play Interest at 7.9 out of 10 after exposure to the positioning statements, at 7.9 out of 10 after exposure to the concept description, and at 8.1 out of 10 after exposure to the feature set.
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The Crytek association has a very positive effect on respondents’ purchase intent
*32% of respondents are “much more likely to purchase” a new first-person shooter title developed by Crytek. 37% are “more likely to purchase.”
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The story and setting are well received, and Crytek’s name has a positive impact
Concept Description
: If it’s anything like the first Homefront, this should be quite a release. I really like the idea of being able to construct weapons and hacking drones. I love that America is under attack, and I’m not in some third-world country battling guerillas.
: — 27-year-old Homefront Owner
: Love the plot. Great action in fighting off an enemy on the home front. Like that it is a first-person shooter and from Crytek.
: — 32-year-old Homefront Owner
: It’s developed by Crytek, meaning great graphics as usual.
: — 24-year-old Homefront Owner
: Having read this without really knowing anything about the original Homefront game, the description is very nice at depicting the setting of the game.
: — 23-year-old Non-Owner
: It has what I think people want from this franchise: innovative and different gameplay, heavy emphasis on story over twitch shooting, emotional RPG-esque immersion into the character. This seems like it will set itself apart from COD, BF, Crysis, etc.
: — 25-year-old Non-Owner
: Sounds heroic and relevant. Should be fun to play, especially in multiplayer mode with friends. Good storyline behind it.
: — 45-year-old Non-Owner
Some respondents feel that the Homefront 2 concept does not stand out enough from other games
Concept Description
: I liked the first paragraph a lot; the second one was “Eh.”
: — 20-year-old Homefront Owner
: It sounds so generic. Everyman who wants no part in war but is swept up and becomes the people’s hero. It’s a plot that has been overused.
: — 21-year-old Homefront Owner
: I’m really sick of “gritty.”
: — 33-year-old Homefront Owner
: [The] first part is a great description of the game and makes you want to jump right in. The second part sounds rather cliché to any shooter game.
: — 42-year-old Non-Owner
: Seems decent, but wondering how it will be different from other shooters.
: — 38-year-old Non-Owner
: I like how the description presents the game, but it reads like any typical FPS description. I see nothing in the description that separates it from other FPS games besides the setting. Nothing says “this will be different than COD, BF, etc.”
: — 23-year-old Non-Owner
==Positioning Statements==
Positioning statement 3 has the most positive effect on interest in the game
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Note: Respondents were shown positioning statements in random order. Excerpts are shown here for each positioning statement. See Appendix for complete statements.
The majority of respondents consider the core concept to be a plausible story
*32% of Homefront Owners and 23% of Non-Owners feel a North Korean invasion of America in 2027 would be “very plausible.” 37% of Homefront Owners and 34% of Non-Owners feel it would be “plausible.”
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==Features==
“Customized Weapons” is the most interesting feature of Homefront 2
*Respondents rate “Customized Weapons” significantly higher than any other feature at 8.3 out of 10. “The Workbench” and “Moral Dilemmas” are both next highest at 8.1 out of 10.
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Weapon customization and 32-player online battles are among the favorite features
Feature Set
: I am extremely interested in the campaign. The thought of actual guerilla tactics is just intriguing, and the feature of creating weapons is awesome. I really hope the campaign is as good as it sounds.
: — 18-year-old Homefront Owner
: I really enjoy the “workbench” and “weapon customization” features of the game.
: — 33-year-old Homefront Owner
: The features this game will have are amazing, especially the 32-player multiplayer!
: — 20-year-old Homefront Owner
: My favorite features are the massive multiplayer battles and the customizable weapons and attacks.
: — 21-year-old Non-Owner
: I love that there is plenty of customization in the game, unlike most other FPS games.
: — 18-year-old Non-Owner
: I really like the large online play, the customizable weapons, and the moral dilemmas. Reminds me of Mass Effect and Borderlands.
: — 19-year-old Non-Owner
Some respondents feel the features are too similar to those in other shooters
Feature Set
: Seems cool, but doesn’t have a lot that makes it different from other shooters.
: — 26-year-old Homefront Owner
: [The game has] plenty of features but sounds a bit too much like Black Ops II. If the game is released too close to Black Ops II, then reviews will be skewed toward Black Ops II due to the popularity.
: — 18-year-old Homefront Owner
: It’s decent, but it needs more types of guns.
: — 19-year-old Homefront Owner
: Sounds really similar to all the other shooters out there. Nothing here stands out or really grabs my interest. Single-player campaign too short, typical.
: — 36-year-old Non-Owner
: The most appealing [features] seem to all be found in the single-player, with the multiplayer feeling bland and generic.
: — 23-year-old Non-Owner
: Still not really impressed. The tactical supply and drones sounded really promising till I read “Kinect” and “Minority Report style.” Then I just quit caring.
: — 29-year-old Non-Owner
==Pre-Orders==
31% of respondents that pre-order games typically do so 2 to 3 weeks before release
*29% of respondents typically pre-order either 4 to 7 weeks or 8+ weeks before release.
*Only 11% of respondents pre-order games 1 week or less before release.
HF4pic11.png|*Only asked if respondent pre-ordered games.
84% of respondents that pre-order games typically do so at GameStop
*38% and 33% of respondents pre-order games at Amazon and Best Buy, respectively.
HF4pic12.png|*Only asked if respondent pre-ordered games. Responses selected by less than 5% of respondents are not shown
71% of respondents that pre-order games are impacted by promotional offers
*47% of respondents have switched a pre-order for a game from one retailer to another solely because of the pre-order offer.
*Only 38% of respondents decided to not pre-order a game because they disliked the pre-order offer.
HF4pic13.png|*Only asked if respondent pre-ordered games.
Respondents generally welcome pre-order incentives but dislike retailer-exclusive offers
Please tell us what you think about game pre-order offers.
: I think they are nice because if you are going to get the game anyway, then the added bonuses that you receive are just extra things to enhance the game.
: — 25-year-old Homefront Owner
: I like them but wish they were more universal between retailers, so I could use the [retailer] I prefer and not miss out on a cool pre-order offer.
: — 28-year-old Homefront Owner
: They are cool because I get more stuff for the same amount of money.
: — 22-year-old Homefront Owner
: They greatly impact my motivation to purchase at launch. However, I do not think they should be launch exclusive. For example, they should be available as paid DLC in the months that follow launch.
: — 25-year-old Non-Owner
: They can be very annoying. I hate when a certain retailer has an exclusive item. They should be the same at all retailers.
: — 29-year-old Non-Owner
: They are a nice supplement for those who are on the fence about pre-ordering, but to me, it is merely a nice bonus for a game I’m already going to get.
: — 18-year-old Non-Owner
Pre-order incentives, high anticipation, and a guaranteed copy are among the key reasons why respondents pre-order
What typically leads to your decision to pre-order games?
: Pre-order bonuses.
: — 20-year-old Homefront Owner
: The bonuses brought on by the early purchase, or sometimes just due to my amount of interest in the game.
: — 17-year-old Homefront Owner
: Usually the fact [that] I know the game is going to fly off the shelves, and I like to know that I have a guaranteed copy.
: — 25-year-old Homefront Owner
: Pre-order incentives, mainly exclusive in-game content (not 360 Avatar [clothing]), free upgrade to a limited/collector’s edition of the game, and in very rare cases, some physical bonus related to the game, though a statue and T-shirt don’t usually do it for me.
: — 25-year-old Non-Owner
: So I can get it on the midnight release if it’s a good game. Other than that, the pre-order content usually sells me every time.
: — 21-year-old Non-Owner
: It’s a game I’m excited about and that everyone is making a big deal about.
: — 32-year-old Non-Owner
== Appendix ==
=== Positioning Statements ===
# Your Home destroyed. Your Country devastated. Your Family lost. If you want your liberty back you must fight for it! From occupation to uprising, restore hope to a nation and lead a guerilla resistance movement towards revolution!
# You’re outnumbered, outmanned, and outgunned against an oppressive regime. It’s going to take a lot more than just a gun to restore hope to a nation and inspire the people to fight back. Sabotage, infiltration, and smart strategy can take America from occupation to uprising – the resistance starts with you.
# This upcoming title brings a whole new level of customization to shooters. Choose your play style as you upgrade, unlock, and build new weapons and gear in the resistance force against a Korean superpower. Battle with moral dilemmas beyond black and white as every choice you make affects your character’s development. How the story unfolds is up to you.
# Experience the visceral gameplay and unparalleled shooter combat of Homefront 2, as award-winning studio Crytek brings you deep into the battle for freedom. From deep customization to precision controls, a powerful story and expansive range of missions, you’ll feel every choice and every shot.
# Lead the fight for freedom in an epic campaign to resist a brutal regime and restore hope to the people. Explore the gritty, immersive city of Philadelphia, filled with war atrocities and difficult choices, vital intel and valuable weapons in the struggle for a new revolution.
# To defend the homeland, even a common man must become a soldier and fight back. The battle has come to the devastated city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and now the center of the 2nd American Revolution. Join the resistance and take back your country!
# Explore the gritty, immersive city of Philadelphia, devastated by foreign occupation and stirring with underground resistance. Stunning visuals reveal a haunting vision of future America, bleak and beautiful.
# Continue the resistance online with innovative new class-system multiplayer, drone command, and addictive arcade challenges. Dominate the competition with a mix of infantry and vehicle combat, and join massive 32 player battles across iconic war-ravaged cities.
=== Concept Description ===
It's 2027, and America is 2 years into a once inconceivable occupation by a brutal & united Korean regime. With their global political might and their superior technology, the KPA (Korean People’s Army) are in total control and everyone you’ve ever cared for is either dead or gone. You’ve convinced yourself there is nothing left to fight for, but here you are; fleeing from the KPA and thrust into resistance movement you had no intention of becoming a part. You didn’t ask to be a soldier, you had no choice.
Developed by award-winning developer Crytek, Homefront 2 continues the epic story of a country’s uprising from an oppressive regime in a first-person shooter with an emotionally-charged human story about the fight for freedom, resistance and hope. Make your way through a gritty depiction of an oppressed Philadelphia using guerilla warfare tactics where you scavenge and construct weapons; hack drones; and acquire intelligence to defeat your enemy and restore hope to a once proud nation.
=== Feature Set ===
Tactical Sandbox – Think tactically with a 360° mind-set against an elite enemy with an arsenal of powerful, sophisticated and extremely smart units including elite soldiers and drone technology. Use sabotage, infiltration and improvisation tactics to defeat the KPA and create the element of surprise.
Unparalleled Core Shooting Controls – Intense shot feedback, fiery muzzle flashes and pinpoint precision systems help make Homefront 2 the most visceral shooting experience ever.
Customized Weapons – Stripped of most standard firearms, the resistance forces have developed their own brand of specially customized firepower. Upgrade your weapons to suit your play-style.
The Workbench – Scavenge the battlefield for parts and resources that you can use at the workbench to upgrade your gear, construct IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and more. As you progress gain more experience and unlock more workbench abilities.
Epic SP Campaign – Join a resistance movement and lead the fight for America in an epic 12 hour single player campaign where you encounter the horrors of war in a deep human story of a common man fighting for his home.
Explore the Warzone – Explore areas of a devastated Philadelphia and discover resistance vital resources as well as gather invaluable intel on KPA troop deployment and technology.
Counter-Propaganda – With the help of your modified smartphone, document the KPA’s atrocities, hack into KPA displays and boost public morale by risking your life helping distressed civilians.
Moral Dilemmas – Make difficult choices beyond black and white where your actions are meaningful in your character’s development.
Next Generation Warfare – As the single-player story ends the multiplayer story begins. Experience next generation warfare and operate state of the art weapon systems as you determine the success or failure of a new foreign invasion.
32-Player Battles – Homefront 2 introduces an explosive and innovative class-system multiplayer experience, where 32 players mix infantry, drone technology and vehicle combat as they fight over iconic east coast locations ravaged by the war.
12 Player Guerilla Warfare Battles – Homefront 2 features smaller guerilla warfare battles online with distinct character class systems.
Drone Commander – Access Mission Control Vehicles & Bunkers to gain access to direct feeds from players & drones. Manage and control multiple drones to aid your squad mates in battle & supply your troops with valuable intel. Drone Commander is Kinect enabled and lets you swap between screens Minority Report style and shout vocal commands.
Addictive Arcade Action with Arcade Mode – Revisit locations from the campaign, repurposed for exciting arcade challenges with addictive high score-driven gameplay and is seamlessly housed in the Homefront 2 fiction. Complete challenges to unlock exclusive content and rewards.