Why Not Digitial Distribution?

[Endoperez]

I got it the usual way. I also got DomII usual way, but I had to wait for more than 6 months for that, because I couldn't order it on my own and my parents thought it would have a negative effect on my grades.

That reminds me, even though the Shrapnel stuff probably knows the numbers a bit better then me, I'm pretty sure if you sold Dominions 3 on retail you'd have even more buyers! All those impulse-buyers who wander around in PC shops looking for something to buy would see it and buy it, because Dominions is so well known. Also, there are a lot of people who can't or don't want to buy games online, and I bet they'd all buy Dominions as well. Also, translating the game and the manual to multiple languages would be great. Something like esperanto would be perfect - there are probably speakers of esperanto in all countries of the world, which would be a huge boost in your market when compared to just those who understand English. Also, it would be so cool to buy Vatican-version of Dominions to play Marignon. Latin for the win!

[Velusion]

S.R. Krol said:
Is an extra seven days of not having it really going to make a difference?

*blinks* Uh....Yes.

In today's instant gratification culture it makes very good sense to offer it online. I almost didn't bother it because I had to wait on it to ship. There are lots of good games out there I can download immediately - it took a lot of will power for me to invest my time in waiting.

This is ESPECIALLY true for a game you also can't find on store shelves.

[Zeldor]

Nikolai:

That isn't about you, me and many other people. But for many people it is hard to buy it. They have to pay S&H, wait for it to be shipped etc. And they would prefer to have it now, even if it means no pretty manual. Most people that have it here probably live in US and they can order it from Amazon with free shipping.

[Endoperez]

Analyzing the introductions thread:

59 from Europe

19 from Scandinavia (didn't count the Dutch in), the most important European sub-group. I didn't count UK people because UK isn't as important as Scandinavia, but there were well over a dozen from there as well.

66 from USA/Canada

9 from somewhere else (5 from Australia, and single ones from from Solomon Island, Mauritius, China, Argentina)


So while the US is the biggest market, at least judging by those who register at this forum Europe is at very nearly the same numbers. It should also be remembered that there are at least French language forums with Dominions discussion, and those who aren't native English speakers tend to favour forums in their own languages (except for Finns, who flock to these forums). I don't remember where I saw them. Probably after I read a Dom3 review published on some French site. It was maybe a year ago or something, but they had games going on back then.

[sector24]

S.R. Krol said:
Illwinter should hand deliver the game with a basket of cheese and ale

When can we expect this upgrade in service?

[llamabeast]

I have to agree that I'm definitely against commercial pressure coming anywhere near Dominions. The way in which it is written simply because of a love for the game rather than a mind for profit is wonderful.

The only reason I want more people to buy it is because I want to share the fun! I think of those poor people out there, playing crappy strategy games and not even knowing about the revelation that is just around the corner!

Caduceus, Don_Seba (and indeed S.R.Krol), very sorry if I've worded my posts too strongly. Obviously we're all very happy with both the game and the publishing service. I guess I just wanted to highlight the opportunities for increasing sales.

[S.R. Krol]

Llamabeast: No worries, I don't think any of your posts were too strong.

Jazzepi: *sigh* We keep going around in circles. You're entitled to your opinion, but it's not going to change our opinion. Agree to disagree.

And I don't even know where you get that butcher example from, but tell you what, go into your local supermarket and demand they start selling Ferraris. Sure, they're a supermarket and not an exotic car dealership, but if a customer wants something and they are willing to pay for it, they should always get it, right? Come on.

***

Funny thing about when these digital distribution threads crop up, it's always from folks who own the game already. Since its release I don't think we've gotten a single email from someone saying, "I will ONLY buy the game if it's available as a digital download." It's such a non-issue for the majority of gamers.

Anyway, it's been fun, and let's hope everyone hasn't gotten too worked up. Now let's get back to putting all this energy into playing the game.

[Gandalf Parker]

There are also two possible incentives.

A) Shrapnel has made a request for AARs to all of their games. So it might serve a larger purpose if they mention it in a publicity post someplace.

B) I have always said that it would sell. A person can create a free CafePress shop, upload an AAR, publish it to a book, and sell it online. Personally, I would love to see one laid out with the story on the left-side pages, and the actual game steps on the right-hand pages. It could be entertaining to read, help sell the game, and be a tutorial all in one.

[Rathar]

I just finished reading the whole thread and I feel compelled to say that on the whole you folks did a great job of discussing the issue in a calm and respectful way.

Nice jobs of stating things in a "You're crazy!" manner rather than in an "You're stupid!" way if you know what I mean. I know this issue has flamed out a couple of times before due to the latter way of speaking ones mind.

Tim Brooks, you did an amazing job explaining your position, nice work.

My opinion? I think there has gotta be a way in which digital distribution can out-perform mail only and still keep an effective anti-piracy measure possible. What way that is though... (?)

[Gandalf Parker]

Actually thats one of the big problems with digital distribution. More than with the mail system (at least in my country). Ive been involved in sites trying to come up with their own controls on digital download. Its still an ongoing effort across the net.

The larger the product the more likely it will not arrive quite intact. So the system has to handle the purchase thru credit cards or paypal, then authorize a download, then remember the authorization in case the download breaks, then be able to allow the download again in a way that does not support someone else downloading it. And it has to do that without directly tying in the purchase information (you dont want credit cards stored forever on a download server). Usually its done with multiple servers. A hefty expense.

The purchase system has been ironed out for quite awhile. There are "shopping cart" packages available for installing on a server. But there are no good packages yet for DD. And the sites which offer only DD for their produts are being closely watched by everyone else to see how effectively they can manage the problems.