Downloadable retail needed?

PhilD · #1 November 7th, 2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Maltrease said:
Its kind of a separate issue, but if you take a reduced stance on piracy it can simplify an online distribution.

This is basically what Stardock does. Shrapnel seems to take a mixed stance: no "please insert CD #x" nonsense, but, at least in the case of Dominions, at least the non-distribution of a PDF manual serves as a minor deterrent to piracy. Not a huge issue to me, and it's clearly their call.

Maltrease · #2 November 7th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Since I already have the game its not a big issue to me either. Before I had the game... it was more important.

Gandalf Parker · #3 November 7th, 2006, 04:00 PM

Reduced piracy stance was why I mentioned BitTorrent and serial tracking. The game could be made available for ANY site to offer as a download. Sell and track serial numbers only. If they were going to go that direction, Id say that might work well. Split the manual between a minimum keypresses and basic starting PDF, and a strategy guide hard print manual.

Even if they affered purchaseable serial numbers it would help since many of us have access to someone who has the CD. I ended up with more manuals than I needed.

But I wouldnt take a low piracy stance due to lack of multiplayer action. If the player base isnt big enough to support digital download then its definately not big enough for that since I see many who are solo players.

Janster · #4 November 7th, 2006, 05:00 PM

Cough, there is really no options.

The future is downloadable games, end of story

This is electronic media, why the heck is it being transported in ancient cd media????

Sure, some like the box, and I'm sure they can still order it.

I use.

Stardock , works like a charm
Steam , works like a charm, exept a bit slow.
Gamersgate (paradox et al.) works like a charm.

I think, saved cost on printing/cd's and retail outlets = more money for devs.

This is not an option for the future , get Dominion on DOwnload NOW.

Janster

Endoperez · #5 November 7th, 2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Janster said:
Cough, there is really no options.

The future is downloadable games, end of story

"Physical books are history.

The future is electronic books, end of story."

Things aren't as simple as they seem.

calmon · #6 November 7th, 2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Endoperez said:

Quote:

Janster said:
Cough, there is really no options.

The future is downloadable games, end of story

"Physical books are history.

The future is electronic books, end of story."

Things aren't as simple as they seem.

In moment noone will read e-books on pc or notebook. I'm just waiting for the right hardware. Sony will come out with some cool light e-book reader.

But back to topic

Archonsod · #7 November 7th, 2006, 05:34 PM

Electronic sales (whether download or shipping, as in Shrapnel's case) still make up less than 10% of the market as far as software retailing goes. Your not likely to see electronic distribution becoming the norm for a while yet (at least, not until the scaremongering about ID theft or Credit Card scams dies down).

Personally I prefer a CD (I even bought Gal Civ 2 on CD rather than online). Simple reason - if the company selling the game goes out of business, then I can still play the game without needing to worry about online activation or similar crap. I've seen far too many companies go under to put my faith in a developer, even EA....

PDF · #8 November 8th, 2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Archonsod said:
...
Personally I prefer a CD (I even bought Gal Civ 2 on CD rather than online). Simple reason - if the company selling the game goes out of business, then I can still play the game without needing to worry about online activation or similar crap. I've seen far too many companies go under to put my faith in a developer, even EA....

You're citing "unfair", abusively restrictive d/l systems that don't allow you to make a CD yourself or limit your freedom to use the game in a way or another.
But if you buy and d/l from Matrix, Stardock or Ageod

, you'll get a "normal", unrestricted install file that you can backup and don't have to worry for online activation or special upgrade system.
So it's not really an argument against game d/l...

Agrajag · #9 November 7th, 2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Janster said:
Steam , works like a charm, exept a bit slow.

You must mean like the magical charms the lady across the street sold you. (ie doesn't)
I don't really think I have to mention what happened when HL2 came out...

Must I also mention the "Triton" game download service closing down and leaving thousands of Prey players unable to use their legally purchased product? (especially frustrating since people that bought a copy at the local store could still play)
(The link is in hebrew, so most of you shouldn't bother entering

)

Janster · #10 November 7th, 2006, 09:10 PM

I saw an article about some better way of using e-books, but until the, reading books on computer screen?? don't be silly, and it has nothing to do with computer games

I'm putting things on the point a bit, but its really weird why when we have an internet that can easily handle gigabyte downloads, heck pirates been doing that for years, we can't get our games online.

As for steam problems, yepp, but they got really overloaded , I can understand that.
since then, its been running okay, my Space Empires V copy updated itself automatically even.

As for poor online sellers, yes they exist, there are a few probably, but thats an online sales problem in general.

Also there are some really unreasonable copy protection schemes going on, they only really hurt the consumer, not the pirates it seems.

Regards
Janster