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Dhruin
Stranger In A Strange Land
Joined: 20 May 2002
Posts: 1825
Location: Sydney, Australia |
| Side Quest: Are we ready for digital distribution? |
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Last week we looked at the lack of party cRPGs and the poll results seem pretty clear: we like a party! 43% of respondents liked recruiting characters, 31% wanted to create a party from scratch while 12.9% liked Fallout-style followers - all up that's around 88% that preferred a party, which speaks for itself. This week we take a look at the deficiences of retail distribution versus the drawbacks of digital distribution.
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<br><table cellpadding="1" align="center"><tr><td width="160"><a href="http://newspics.rpgdot.com/imageview.php?dir=gallery/658/Screenshots/&name=Xenus 2005-05-30 19-33-21-98.jpg" target="ImageView"><img src="http://newspics.rpgdot.com/gallery/658/Screenshots/tn_Xenus 2005-05-30 19-33-21-98.jpg" border=0 alt="Display full image"></a></td></tr><tr><TD align=middle width=160><I>Publishers often indifferent</I></TD></tr></table>
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<br>I love Steam. On the release day for Half Life 2 I fired up my PC, waited around ten minutes for Steam to do its thing and was off fighting aliens and Combine soldiers. To be fair, part of my appreciation comes from living in the antipodes, which combines great weather and easy-going people with game store shelves that lack a bunch of interesting titles. The idea of instant accessibility without leaving my chair is very appealing.
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<br>While Half Life 2 was widely distributed and purchasing online was a mere convenience, an alternative delivery mechanism for 2nd-tier titles is fast becoming a necessity. The current publisher-retailer paradigm just doesn’t reliably get niche titles on the shelves with good support: major publishers are increasingly hit-driven and retailers are (understandably) only interested in maximising the return on their floor space, compounded by policies where the only copies ordered are to cover pre-orders. As the flow of major cRPG titles sputters, RPG fans will increasingly have to look to indie and European titles for new entertainment.
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<br>Unfortunately, when these 2nd-tier titles are picked up in the English markets, they’re often handled indifferently. For example, most reviews of Boiling Point: Road to Hell noted some real potential, stifled by a lack of development time. On top of that obvious complaint, Atari did little marketing, didn’t have an official forum for some time and pulled the first US patch without any explanation at all. Rumours circulated the ‘net that EB Games had pulled the title because of problems – I am told this isn’t true but how many potential purchasers were scared away? Atari didn’t seem to care. Looking forward, the next Euro RPG to hit should be Metal Heart: Replicants Rampage, which Dreamcatcher recently picked up. During the week DC told me there would be no preview or review material sent out and most retailers I checked didn’t list it despite the impending release date – you have to wonder if it will even have a <em>chance</em> to register with gamers, regardless of whether it’s a good title or not.
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<br>Of course, it’s not as simple as sticking a finished title on the web – retailers act as a marketing mechanism by putting games in front of interested purchasers and publishers often finance games. What’s needed is a <em>prominent</em> internet publishing and delivery system that works and gamers are prepared to use – but we’re a long way from that, despite some inroads from Steam. There’s also that difficult hurdle of copy protection, with many gamers wary of authentication and Digital Rights Management issues.
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<br>Have you embraced digital delivery? Waiting for a better system or less draconian DRM? Happy with game retailers or prefer a boxed copy? Hit the poll on the left and we’d love to hear what you think about the future of game distribution. |
Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:15 pm |
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yeesh
Keeper of the Gates
Joined: 03 May 2002
Posts: 113
Location: Unofficially representing Queens |
I don't see why they can't do both. If retail accounts for the lion's share of sales, then will retail sales really take much of a hit from allowing people access to an alternate procurement path? Especially here in America where broadband penetration is bafflingly low, I can't imagine that publishers and distributers have all that much to lose by allowing the developers to make digital downloads available. ESPECIALLY now that 80% of interesting PC games are now made in Europe, the amount of time I have to wait to play a title is just preposterous, and that wait is 100% attributable to the time it takes smaller companies to find a US distributer and the time it takes that distributer to get around to getting the game on the shelves.
It's silly. I could download the title in 30 minutes, the developer could keep way more of the cash, and I wouldn't have to wait until the end of 2005 to play a game that was released in Europe last year. |
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Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:22 pm |
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Vidder
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 05 Aug 2002
Posts: 46
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as much as i like to have some "physical" substance of the game in my hands, a nice box (no dvd box!), well written handbook, goodies etc. i definately see the need for independent and small developers to break free from the grasp of publishers. too much restriction, too much money which gets mystically lost on the way from the buyer to the developer, while the effort publishers put into making a game known often seems to be questionable nowadays. |
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Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:56 pm |
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Moxie
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 38
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Once we all have desk-sized 3D printers, we'll be able to print our own boxes and goodies that come with them. At that point though, I'll probably be able to download new games to my brain by connecting to the wireless ether with my thoughts.
On a serious note, I believe digital distribution will become more ubiquitous as time marches on. GuildWars already offers this option with the purchase of a $50 key (same as the store price). I believe the easier you make spontaneous purchases, the more sales you'll have. If I can instantly gratify one night of boredom, by a quick download, I'll definitely be spending more on games. It's a lot of little inconveniences in getting to the store that give me time to think how my money is best spent, which isn't always on games. |
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Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:55 pm |
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corwin
On the Razorblade of Life
Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Posts: 8376
Location: Australia |
Obviously, both have their place. I like having a box, manual, CD/DVD myself, but like Dhruin, I hate waiting months for games to arrive. That's why I buy a lot on the net.
I recently have downloaded several Demos, and after playing them for a few hours, paid for the full version. FATE springs to mind here. However, if you visit FATE's forum, you discover several threads filled with complaints about the nature of the DRM. SPYWARE is the scream!! To their credit, Wild Tangent are exploring alternative delivery methods to appease this section of their potential market. With rising costs and shrinking shelf space for PC games, I forsee this being the future of RPG marketing for most of the smaller developers. Not only is it cheaper, but without a Publisher demanding the game be released NOW, we might soon avoid debacles like the Dungeon Lords release.
For now, my advice is ignore releases from DC and Atari and any others which care less about their customers than they do their timelines and support the good, solid Indie developers like Arcane, and PB.
_________________
If God said it, then that settles it!
I don't use Smileys, I use Emoticons!!
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Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:51 pm |
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Val
Risen From Ashes
Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA |
I have no problem with purchasing and downloading a game instead of getting a regular retail version. I'd like it at an appropriately discounted price however. If I'm not buying the extras, then I don't want to be charged for them. Throw in the option of having the extras mailed to me while I get to play the game now, and I'm sold.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=  |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:52 am |
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Dhruin
Stranger In A Strange Land
Joined: 20 May 2002
Posts: 1825
Location: Sydney, Australia |
I like a box but I have practically given up on getting good manuals - they're the exception rather than the norm these days. From my point of view, DD is not just a matter of convenience, it's becoming a necessity. The only problem is it's such a long way off from being effective.
I have a soft spot for 2D turn-based post-apoc game so I have my eye on Metalheart. Numlock has no track record and there's a couple of questionable design choices (no character creation) - but I can hope. Frankly, I don't think DC deserves my money but I toyed with the idea of importing it. I am interested in Space Rangers 2 and wouldn't mind a "real" copy of Seal of Evil (I have a preview version), so I thought I might see if I could get all three at the right price to import.
No go. Most UK online stores didn't have Metalheart listed, my favourite store didn't list Space Rangers and they were out of Seal of Evil. I checked the US for Metalheart - EB had it listed under Strategy First, an old listing. Given that Metalheart won't get any previews and the reviews won't roll in, it won't have much chance unless the word of mouth is spectacular. Now, it might be crap anyway but they aren't going out of their way to promote it. In fact, I wonder why some of these titles get signed in the first place if the publishers don't want to do some minimal promotion. I remember GMX didn't have Seal of Evil listed as available on their website for nearly 2 months (although they were helpful with us, providing a competition and review copy etc) and I've already ranted on Boiling Point.
Generally, most of these games get little attention from the publisher, so the level of polish is poor - bad translations, buggy etc. In return, they don't sell that well so the next time publishers don't want to spend money polishing them, so they don't sell well...round in circles. And they don't even get shelf space, so casual buyers never hear of them. Waste of time.
Digital Distribution would at least get the games to the players efficiently but the publshing and marketing side is just as problematic. First, there's so many different schemes: Steam, TotalGaming, Trymedia etc etc. Steam has the best headstart but with their size, why would they take an interest in publishing small RPGs? In fact, how would an online publisher grow big enough to get enough mindshare from gamers to make it work as a genuine alternative to retail, without becoming so big they only want blockbusters themselves?
No wonder there's so few good RPGs. 
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Editor @ RPGDot |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:32 am |
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Moxie
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 38
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Val's right about the ideal scenario.
Good game manuals are hard to come by, but it's also tough to justify a good manual at times. Games have gotten really good at providing how to play them within the context of game. Manuals can be nice for reference or for lore, but I really like it when a game integrates this well.
I agree with you Dhruin about how publishers can really miss opportunities to publicize a title. You would think that high tech companies would have a better idea of guerilla marketing and getting word out through the net and word-of-mouth, but it's amazing how many don't even send a guy into forums to promote. |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:58 am |
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corwin
On the Razorblade of Life
Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Posts: 8376
Location: Australia |
The key for the smaller developers is surely the net. I'm amazed that more of them don't use sites like this one to help promote their games; we're more than happy to oblige. It's great to see people like Josh Ritter of Prairie games here giving us ongoing information; it feeds our interest and gives him the exposure he needs for success. Cleve has four beta testers from here playing Grimoire; lots more exposure. There are several other developers who do the same (our involvement with Gothic and Divinity for example), but many I've talked to have NO idea how to market their game. There's business potential here if someone can work out how to harness it effectively!!
_________________
If God said it, then that settles it!
I don't use Smileys, I use Emoticons!!
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:09 am |
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Jadar
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 29 Dec 2003
Posts: 27
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I really hate being tied to an internet server to play a game. (yes, I know I can bypass the login, I shouldn't have to) I bought the game in a store so I wouldn't have to spend hours downloading, but it still took hours and after that there was the decryption. I liked Half life 2, it was close to great, but I won't buy the expansion. I won't deal with Steam at all. I may just go console and install linux on this box, I don't need windows. |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:31 am |
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gargar
Village Dweller
Joined: 29 Nov 2003
Posts: 20
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who need a box? who need CDs? or DVDs? most of us have dvd burners or at least cd burners. with digital distribution you won't have to wait a year for a great game like gothic 2 to be to be published in america. and you won't have to wait eternity for the expansion to be released in english. after all, without all the hassle of finding publishers all jowood had to do is translate the game. with digital distribution you can backup your games without the need of using crap no cd patches to be able to play the game in case something happen to the original cd. i've already bought some digitally distributed games and i will do it again. |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:47 pm |
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Moxie
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 38
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I think something like Steam that requires a connection to play a game could only be green-lighted with a high-profile title like Half-Life 2. For any other game that buyer's are up in the air on, talk of a horrendous install situation could definitely send a way a lot of consumers that are currently on the fence. |
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Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:05 pm |
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GothicGothicness
Keeper of the Gates
Joined: 04 Oct 2003
Posts: 110
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The reason that activation via steam was needed was so that the game wouldn't leak to the public before it's official release, after what happend with the code theft and everything, you can't blaim Valve for being careful. |
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Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:00 pm |
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Uriziel
Grand Mage
Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 735
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicGothicness
The reason that activation via steam was needed was so that the game wouldn't leak to the public before it's official release, after what happend with the code theft and everything, you can't blaim Valve for being careful.
I know nada about Steam, but securing DRM does not have to be a pain. In fact it is quite simple, but all the publishers are quite clueless. Their efforts in securing their rights have been based on easily hacked cd keys, and storing security related efforts into a single exe 
We have office boys delivering mail that could design better security in about 2 minutes. I can only imagine the braintrust that came up with the moronic cd errors security, or unencrypted exe's........amazing.
I don't have the time to explain all the security options, so let's go simple....and a nocd is not required.
You somehow get the content. You bought the cd/dvd, you went on kazaa or newsgroups, you downloaded it from the dev..........whatever....you have the content and are ready to install it. You click install....what should happen, happens. It installs, BUT the installer does a couple of hidden things. First it allocates the needed space and installs it's decryption keys ....very very simple and seamless to do. Then the installer takes a quick hardware inventory, creates a hash, which is multiplied/divided/added/subtracted/whatever with a number or two....like the install code, or PC date, or time, or HDD ID, or..........and creates a another hash value that is now specific to a single machine and encrypts the install dataspace for that machine. Now it truly installs, to an encrypted dataspace(total time so far of about 10 seconds) At this point, you must realize that the content you have obtained is totally encrypted, so there is NADA you can do to crack the game.......you only have gibberish to deal with. The content is encrypted, the installer is encrypted(but it does'nt have to be. It makes calls to encrypted data), and the dataspace it will install to is encrypted. OK, you think you can hack it or crack it, so let's have the installer have the option of 2K of exe's to choose from(each can be extremely small because it is not complete). Each exe will only work with the final hash added, so now copying the encrypted exe does what for you....?
If you have followed along, maybe you understand that if you have the content, and a cd key, you can install the game and not worry about a nocd. But let's make this fun and use the cd key 1234 for all installs because the cd key is pointless in security anyway, and it can be omitted. Now the game does something like simple activation/registration and inserts a small string into the final exe, or at least the exe makes a call to the string. What's that you say??? You don't have internet access, can't find a phone, and would never go thru all that crap just to start your game! Hurray for you, and I agree! Did I ever SAY you needed internet access or a phone? Did I maybe mention more than one exe. Is it possible there is more encrypted data that handles this machine specific authorization and completes the final exe? Did you think I was going to hand you the keys to the kingdom?
BTW, this code is simple to write, and can be very small and easy to do. Why is'nt it done....I covered that in the first sentence or two lol.
_________________
Chris: Dad, what's the blow-hole for?
Peter: I'll tell you what it's not for, son. And when I do, you'll understand why I can never go back to Sea World. |
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Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:31 am |
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GothicGothicness
Keeper of the Gates
Joined: 04 Oct 2003
Posts: 110
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It's intressing you have a theory on how to make a completely secure distrubution Uriziel, are you intressed in becoming a billionaire? ( that's how much you'd make if you'd present a perfect solution to just about any company , don't forget to patent it first though )
The entire problem is not related to encryption or anything like that, the problem is that you can't tell, if a CD has been copied or if it's the original. It won't matter how much encryption you have on the install. |
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Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:10 pm |
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