Most anticipated games for 2012 aren’t new IP, says Nielsen research

By Stephany Nunneley

Nielsen’s latest research has found that the most anticipated sequels in the US for 2012 are mostly comprised of sequels and entries continuing current franchises on the market.

According to the research firm, the games looked forward to the most on Xbox 360 were Halo 4, Assassin’s Creed III, Max Payne 3, Madden NFL 13, Resident Evil 6, and Ghost Recon: Future Solider, respectively.

The most anticipated games on PS3 Assassins Creed III, Max Payne 3, Madden NFL 13, Resident Evil 6, and Medal of Honor: Warfighter, respectively.

For Wii, those polled were more excited for Madden NFL 13 and Activision’s Battleship than Nintendo-published titles The Last Story and Xenoblade Chronicles.

Other titles which appeared in the top 10 for on both PS3 and Xbox 360 were: Tomb Raider, Bioshock: Infinite, and NCAA Football 13.

Nielsen ranked anticipation through a survey and by combining awareness and purchase interest into a score-based system and comparing said scores to previous games released on the same platform.

The full top 10 for 360 and PS3 is posted below along with the top 8 for Wii.

Thanks, Gamasutra.

Xbox 360

1. Halo 4
2. Assassin’s Creed III
3. Max Payne 3
4. Madden NFL 13
5. Resident Evil 6
6. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
7. Fable: The Journey
8. Kinect: Star Wars
9. NCAA Football 13
10. Bioshock: Infinite
11. Tomb Raider

PS3

1. Assassin’s Creed III
2. Max Payne 3
3. Madden NFL 13
4. Resident Evil 6
5. Medal of Honor: Warfighter
6. NCAA Football 13
7. Prototype 2
8. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
9. Bioshock: Infinite
10. Tomb Raider
11. NBA Live 13

Wii

1. Madden NFL 13
2. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
3. Battleship
4. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
5. The Amazing Spider-Man
6. Men In Black
7. The Last Story
8. Xenoblade Chronicles