PC Retail Sales Becoming "Impossible" for Small Publishers

[tehweave]

Perhaps PC game developers need to change the way they develop games. Minecraft seems to be doing well, and the guy who made it let it be open to the public almost from day one. Since then, he's gotten several hundred thousand pounds from people buying into the alpha version of the game. It's not even done yet! It's still in alpha! And he's getting tons of money already.

 

[Atmos Duality]

When people say "PC Gaming is dying", methinks this is part of what they mean.

Niche markets that once stood proud have been purged in the name of generic mega-games or forced out through superior marketing. Sometimes, good niche markets have been torpedoed by the publishing mega-giants (Sierra got eaten by Vivendi, and later murdered entirely by Activision to reduce competition).

It's called consolidation, and it will eventually choke the industry to death.

 

[Skratt]

I was shocked a couple years ago when long time carrier of PC games GameStop had store fronts that either ignored the PC entirely, or exiled them to a tiny out of the way rack on the side with no flare whatsoever. But in truth... the PC is the foremost platform lending itself easily to digital distribution, and I for one LOVE having clouds like battlenet and Steam carry my purchased games, rather than have to hunt for CDs (oftentimes scratched up from inadequate storage space and kids) every time I go to a new computer, or decide to reload that old classic. Every PC game I've purchased in the past 2 years has been online, as likely will all going forward.

Honestly, with the increased focus of online in the PS3 and XBOX360, and even the Wii, I could see the consoles following closely behind.

What's great about this is that it's GREAT for indie developers: no longer do you need to compete for the limited space on the shelves of the brick and mortar stores, you simply need to work with Steam, Impulse, possibly other online retailers and let the networking of their massive userbases solve product awareness for you.

I would love consoles to go digital, except when I see shit like DLC for Left 4 Dead 2 is free on PC and like $5 or more on the XBOX 360 I just want to slap someone. I'm all for digital distribution (I love steam and blizzard both), but if DLC for consoles means I have to pay more (can't buy used or have to pay for DLC that is free on PC, etc) then count me out.

I actually think that places like Gamestop really only have 5 or so years remaining. I think the next gen consoles will really push for digital distribution to get rid of the used game market competition.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Maybe if they put up some titles worth buying they could sell their games on the PC.

That and did a better job at marketing their titles.

 

[D_987]

Perhaps PC game developers need to change the way they develop games. Minecraft seems to be doing well, and the guy who made it let it be open to the public almost from day one. Since then, he's gotten several hundred thousand pounds from people buying into the alpha version of the game. It's not even done yet! It's still in alpha! And he's getting tons of money already.

MineCraft is the exception, not the rule. It was very much a case of him being in the right place with the right product and that sites and word of mouth carried the game, it's a remarkable situation, and not one that can be replicated.

 

[sir.rutthed]

Sounds to me like this guy's just trying to find and excuse not to expand his market. Don't blame your inability to move your product on the market pal, adapt to it instead.

 

[Bullfrog1983]

I've never heard of this company, but I know that Mount & Blade had a pretty good run at retail and electronic sales.

 

[Optimystic]

We got steam, who cares.

Seriously, this.

The money that goes to giving Valve a cut, they would have spent on boxes, plastic disks, colorful instruction manuals et cetera anyway.

 

[SimuLord]

Maybe if they put up some titles worth buying they could sell their games on the PC.

My thoughts exactly. Focus Home Interactive sells crappy games. Those crappy games don't sell. I mean, the original Cities XL was one of the worst games I've ever seen. They've put out a "2011" edition, but there's no way I'm spending forty bucks after the last one left me feeling ripped off even though I paid $5 in a bargain bin for it.

In this age of Metacritic and easy dissemination of consumer reviews via the Internet, it's not being small that causes a problem---ask Stardock how they did with Sins of a Solar Empire---it's putting out crap (ask Stardock with Elemental: War of Magic---although they did manage to move 82,000 units and reviewers gave them a generously wide berth for their reputation for post-release support.)

 

[Daemascus]

The resaon retail outlets no longer carry many PC games anymore is cause they dont sell as fast or as easly as console games. The CEO is just trying to cover his ass for the bad sales.

Edit: I went to Focus Home Interactive's site. All I saw were shitty knock offs.

 

[Freemon]

This coming from Focus Interactive makes me laugh.

Pro Cycling Manager and Virtual Skipper are niche games. Only a few are interested in them.

The first Cities XL was rubish and they abandoned it 6 months after release. During that time they tried to sell important game features as DLC and had a multiplayer that was not worth the monthly fee they charged for it.

Instead of fixing the game by releasing patches they thought it would be a better idea to sell the patched game under a new name Cities XL 2011. All this leads me to believe they consider PC gamers very stupid.

Sorry if I'm being harsh but if they have no success in the PC market it's all thanks to their lack of skill in making/selling PC games.

 

[tehweave]

Perhaps PC game developers need to change the way they develop games. Minecraft seems to be doing well, and the guy who made it let it be open to the public almost from day one. Since then, he's gotten several hundred thousand pounds from people buying into the alpha version of the game. It's not even done yet! It's still in alpha! And he's getting tons of money already.

MineCraft is the exception, not the rule. It was very much a case of him being in the right place with the right product and that sites and word of mouth carried the game, it's a remarkable situation, and not one that can be replicated.

This is true. How often do you hear of a game being in an 'open beta?' How many of those games get off the ground? Probably very few.

 

[Jadak]

Maybe if they put up some titles worth buying they could sell their games on the PC.

Way to miss the point entirely.

 

[sephiroth1991]

I remember it was only a couple of years ago here in Ireland, half of Game used to be shelves full of Pc games while the other half of the shop was divided into shelves for console games.

Now there's two shelves in the corner for Pc games and Gamestop is even worse.

Quite sad actually.

It seems so long ago, I've been GAME and other places and they sometimes have only one shelve.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Then again. If they just keep releasing slop on the consoles that is only playable on the PC (like anything remotely connected to Bethesda) it could swing the other way.

 

[TheDreadPirateMatt]

Focus Home Interactive is publishing "Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga" (at least according to Steam). Sadly, they also insisted on including SecuROM.

So in at least one case -- good game, bad policy.

 

[Roxor]

I think brick-and-mortar stores should restrict their stocking of software to only the stuff which comes on a bootable disc. In other words: operating systems and maybe recovery utilities. Once you've got Windows installed, you can get everything else you want off the Internet.

 

[ph0b0s123]

Can't remember that last time I brought a PC game in a shop. Also have never brought a game from Steam, etc as I like having the CD/DVD.

I buy all my games from on-line retailers like Amazon, play.com, etc since they are cheaper than the likes of GAME or PCWORLD. Also a lot of the time cheaper than Steam, etc and I get physical disc's (never quite understood that one).

The only downside is having to wait for the post, but I'm a patient guy. Also most post retailers make sure that you get pre-ordered games though your letter box on the day of release, without having to take a trip to your local retailer.

Also the story is rubbish. If you have programmed a PC game and have a website, you can sell it. In fact the PC is the easiest and cheapest platform to sell for as you don't need to jump though any Microsoft or Sony licenses or restrictions. And you don't have to involve distributes if you don't want to. Though not buying from Steam I have brought on-line distributed games directly from the authors. So if you are not getting enough sales volume then that is another issue, but don't say the PC is impossible to sell for.

 

[Wicky_42]

I remember it was only a couple of years ago here in Ireland, half of Game used to be shelves full of Pc games while the other half of the shop was divided into shelves for console games.

Now there's two shelves in the corner for Pc games and Gamestop is even worse.

Quite sad actually.

It seems so long ago, I've been GAME and other places and they sometimes have only one shelve.

Time was my local game had an entire floor devoted to PC games. Now it's the same story - just a couple of shelves, the rest taken by handhelds :/

OT: If their games really are any good then they need to get magazines and other publications to review them, provide demos to get people interested then sell them online. Doesn't have to be digital, online shops like Amazon can do it too, and you don't have to worry about shelf space priorities! Sorted! Of course, getting into bed with Steam always helps big things up

 

[vivalahelvig]

Now there's two shelves in the corner for Pc games and Gamestop is even worse.

Quite sad actually.

Shelves? Pah, the PC games at my Gamestop get a little 4 sided rack dominated by 2 sides of Starcraft 2!

Maybe they should apply for Steam? They help out less....fortunate companies, yea lets go with that.