Imagine a world ...
- Thread starter shikaeshi
- Start date
Perhaps even a world where you can pre-load the game on your computer, then pay them $50 on release day to unlock it. That way maybe you can have the manual mailed to you several months before it's even printed!
Of course, that means nobody without a broadband connection can actually play the game, single-player or otherwise. (Also all anybody was really interested in was the new version of the Counter-Civ mod).
Of course, that means nobody without a broadband connection can actually play the game, single-player or otherwise. (Also all anybody was really interested in was the new version of the Counter-Civ mod).
JakeCourtney
Villain
Kazz said:
Steam allows you do to that.
If Steam manages to set a trend, then Firaxis could make their own delivery system (of course learning from Steam's mistakes) or just use someone elses, and it would save so much time, an money as they wouldn't have to go throught the publishers and distribution.
Kardinal
Chieftain
The problem with this distribution method is economics.
In order to reach the largest audience, you need stores to stock your game. A large percentage of sales come from people browsing a game store and going "Hey, I heard that was coming out," or "Hey, that looks good!".
If you distribute the game electronically, the game stores don't make any money off of it. So they are reluctant to stock your game on the shelf if people can download the game.
The reason this works with Steam is because of the immense demand for Half Life-2, one of the most anticipated games in the history of the industry. There was enough to go around. But for most games, there isn't, and the publishing house jeopardizes its relationship with its distributor if it offers games directly.
Unfortunate, and let's hope it changes, but that is why it ain't here yet.
In order to reach the largest audience, you need stores to stock your game. A large percentage of sales come from people browsing a game store and going "Hey, I heard that was coming out," or "Hey, that looks good!".
If you distribute the game electronically, the game stores don't make any money off of it. So they are reluctant to stock your game on the shelf if people can download the game.
The reason this works with Steam is because of the immense demand for Half Life-2, one of the most anticipated games in the history of the industry. There was enough to go around. But for most games, there isn't, and the publishing house jeopardizes its relationship with its distributor if it offers games directly.
Unfortunate, and let's hope it changes, but that is why it ain't here yet.
jkishmael
Chieftain
Steam provoked quite a backlash from both gamers and the industry. First of all, the publisher sued Valve over the steam distribution and gaming rights. It was only settled 6 or 9 months later.
There was also backlash from gamers in that the people who bought Half Life 2 in store had to still install steam in order to get ALL the necessary files to run the game. Therefore, if you did not have internet access, you were out of luck...
Personally, my experience with steam was great. It downloaded the majority of files need to my computer a week in advance of release. On the release day, I was playing within an hour of getting home.
There was also backlash from gamers in that the people who bought Half Life 2 in store had to still install steam in order to get ALL the necessary files to run the game. Therefore, if you did not have internet access, you were out of luck...
Personally, my experience with steam was great. It downloaded the majority of files need to my computer a week in advance of release. On the release day, I was playing within an hour of getting home.
Kardinal
Chieftain
But Khaim, the point is that when you can get it via Steam, you take away money from the normal boxed distribution methods. This upsets the retailers, and they are less inclined to sell your product. They may even refuse to sell ANY of the publisher's products!
Steve2000
Mighty Pirate
Electronic distribution is a great idea. Another company (Telltale Games) just started distributing their games directly via their website. (An adventure game company started up by ex-Lucasarts Employees) It was great, the day the game comes out you just go online, download, and there you have it. The downside is that for Civ IV the file size would pretty much limit it to people with Broadband connections.
Volstag
Chairman of the Bored
shikaeshi said:
I imagine a day with clogged download queues and insanely long download times.
bman003
Federation President
Imagine millions of people trying to get the game of the net. Imagine how much the data rates would get bogged down. I mean we only have 900 on the board right now and I can feel it.
Kardinal
Chieftain
Bittorrent is a great way to distribute this sort of thing. Trick is, making sure that only people who have paid get the download. New versions of BT may address this.
Pirates of te Burning Sea will be distributed by steam and later on will have a shelf boxed version distributed. They won't be making any money off the boxed version ticket price (I assume this is how they have encxouraged a distributor to work with them) all the developer income will come from the steam distribution and the monthly fees.
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