I do think that we are on the cusp of something big. Gaming appears to be going through a similar transition as the music industry had. The music industry began moving away from the large publishing labels during the 60s with the rise of the garage band movement and the advent of cheap recording devices.
Artists were able to reach audiences through different channels than the large publishing labels and radio stations. A similar revolution happened even more recently, with the internet allowing the same basic idea of the garage band, except this time being open to an even larger audience, all the while eschewing the publisher to sell directly to customers.
I feel that a similar wave is happening with the kickstarter movement, where developers get their money directly from consumers, to be put into products which are then given back to consumers. Double Fine's kickstarter was a massive success, and it is something I would like to see more developers adopt. Double Fine could offer their game via download from their own site, instead of needing a publisher label to sell the game in retail. Much like Minecraft, or other indie games that share similar business practices.
I like the idea of giving money directly to the developer so that they can work on a product to then sell back to the consumer, while avoiding the publisher altogether. Cut out the middleman as it were.
If this catches on, it could change the industry, the same way recording devices and the internet changed the music industry.
Artists were able to reach audiences through different channels than the large publishing labels and radio stations. A similar revolution happened even more recently, with the internet allowing the same basic idea of the garage band, except this time being open to an even larger audience, all the while eschewing the publisher to sell directly to customers.
I feel that a similar wave is happening with the kickstarter movement, where developers get their money directly from consumers, to be put into products which are then given back to consumers. Double Fine's kickstarter was a massive success, and it is something I would like to see more developers adopt. Double Fine could offer their game via download from their own site, instead of needing a publisher label to sell the game in retail. Much like Minecraft, or other indie games that share similar business practices.
I like the idea of giving money directly to the developer so that they can work on a product to then sell back to the consumer, while avoiding the publisher altogether. Cut out the middleman as it were.
If this catches on, it could change the industry, the same way recording devices and the internet changed the music industry.
