[David E. Gervais]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Yes, and that would make lots of money for the retail stores, and for the retail distributers. But not much for MM at all. This is why SE4 was not taken to retail. The developers pretty much get the shaft when their games' are sold retail.

My main point was 'visability' products that are only available through the net have a much more 'limited' audience. (compared to retail!) As to getting the shaft, I'd say it all depends on the contract between the developer and the publisher. Yes in general the developer gets less than publisher, but in most cases it's the publisher that is paying for the packaging/duplication and responsable for finding a distribution network. So, if it costs approx $5 per copy (CD, CD case, box, manual, all rwapped up in a neat package) the developer might only see $5-$10 per copy. The publisher will most certainly take as much (after expenses) or slightly more for his share. For example, $5(dev), + $15(pub $10 after expenses), + $5(dist), +$24.95(retail profit) = sale price $49.95 So, in this example as you can see the 'Retailer' gets the best deal/profit. In the case of a developer like Blizzard, they demand $20/copy and their publisher in turn asks for $25 and the distributors ask for their $5 then the retailer (who payes $50 for the game feels it necessary to make less profit in order to sell the game...Final price $79.95 to $89.95) Retailers don't like the 'big' companies mainly because they are forced to lower their profit to ensure the sale of the game... but I digress..

You must remember, the sales potential is much greater in retail, and the $5 the developer gets per/copy can end up being much more in the long run than a net only product. In this case I suggesteds that the game be available in both mediums. SO Aaron or MM wouldn't be making less, they would be opening up a new source of revenue in addition to the net only route!

In effect, If Aaron/MM want $12/copy He/they can get that, the only drawback is this will push up the final retail price. But if the game is good most consumers will be willing to pay the price.

Nuf said!

Cheers!

[ February 27, 2003, 20:36: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]