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Can't buy ONLINE?!?!? I thought this was the 21st Century?!

jimdigritzjimdigritz Member Posts: 3
in The Pub at MMORPG.COM

Is it just me or do some of these MMORPG publishers seem to NOT want you to buy their game?

Eg. Why on earth can I not buy & **Download** the DOAC client? I want to pay and play NOW.

Since it is a MMORPG, they should understand that many potential players/customers will have broadband connections (and fast ones at that) and would be happy to download 250+MB games.

It hacks me off to have them push an online game, with an online fee, and then expect me to traipse off to the shops and buy the CD etc.

I would have easily signed up for DAOC before now, but as with many MMORPGS they seem to thnink that the ONLY way to distribute games is via the bricks and mortar retailer.

Walk off mumbling...

Comments

  • EzikeilEzikeil Member Posts: 148

    BW = $$$$$ so 250 mb per client software ( 250 mb is small, very small average 2 Gb or so these days ) x lets say i.e. 100.000 = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ which means monthly fees up and game expensive. Which means lesser ppl and

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    When You're Falling of a Cliff You Might Aswell Try To Fly.

  • jimdigritzjimdigritz Member Posts: 3

    Good point about the BW, I hadn't really thought of that, however:

    A) I would pay (c.$5) more for the convenience (heck *FREE* shipping)

    B) My Amazon packages always get stolen, (had 3 go missing recently)

    C) I can't imagine that this option would put other users off, since they can still buy through other channels, unless the retailers demand exclusivity.

    D) I am sure that I downloaded Planetside, EVE Online and AO.

    E) If the zipped game files really are near 2Gb, then all bets are off! Even my 1Mb cable connection would struggle with that... ;)

    Ah well. Guess I will just have to forget it.

    Jim

     

  • Negative71Negative71 Member Posts: 162
    Saying the cost of bandwidth is the sole reason is more than likely wrong. Boxed games sold at "brick-and-mortar" shops cost a lot to put there, as well. (PC Gamer had a breakdown on it some time ago.. last year, perhaps? don't remember exactly when) Any-hoo.. getting games to customers has its costs no matter how you do it.. and if a specific company hasn't implemented a certain delivery system, only they know for sure why. My guess, while somewhat different, isn't very flattering to the company. :)

    ____________________

    -- Death to picture-sigs. --
    ____________________

  • Clever_GloveClever_Glove Member Posts: 996

    All software should vie download IMHO.

    Publishers have contracts with stores, part of the contract is that publishers will not sell products directly. As this could put stores out of buessness.

    Game makers can't sell the game as it would break the contract with Publisher. Publishers sell the game in bulk to stores, stores sell the game to you. Meanwhile the cost of the game increases with each set of hands it crosses over.

    I look forward to the day when all media can be sold directly to the public.

    -=-=-=-=-
    "The beauty of MMORPGS is the merging of gaming and chatrooms. EQ is really just AOL merged with a fantasy game." - billus8

    Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% Test learn what it means here.

    -=-=-=-=-
    Achievers realise that killers as a concept are necessary in order to make achievement meaningful and worthwhile (there being no way to "lose" the game if any fool can "win" just by plodding slowly unchallenged). -bartle


    Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% The Test. Learn what it means here.

  • ianubisiianubisi Member Posts: 4,201

    Standard distribution costs far outweigh bandwidth costs.  There is no question that releasing a product via the internet is much cheaper than releasing a product through storefronts.

    What you do not know about is what the distribution contracts for these various games are.  Some companies may have contracts that do not allow them to compete directly with their distributors (distributors and developers are, once again, [b]different[/b] entities).  Further, some companies may feel they are not willing to take a risk at competing against their distributors and resellers by releasing the product themselves, even if they are allowed to.

    Add to this the risk of theft, the difficulty of supporting a massive download (in other words, Joe Dialup can't get the game his credit card has been charged for downloaded through his 28.8 modem), and any other miscellaneous issues that distributors normally handle for the developer directly.

    It't not simply a cut-and-dry issue, like posting your favorite family picnic pictures on a web site somewhere.  There are a lot of details to work out.

  • jimdigritzjimdigritz Member Posts: 3

    Well, some good thoughtful comments there.

    I still think that the viral nature of MMORPGS marketing would make online delivery much more popular (just look at this sites influence) and would outweigh the negatives.

    Anyway. I guess that I will have to live with the situation. For now :/

    Jim

  • DjinDjin Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 3,263

    It's still cheaper then a night out at the movies now-a-days...

    $50 for the CD.
    $13 a month
    ------------------
    $63 + tax

    So... that's still not that bad for over a month of free playing... so really, it's a good deal with the amount of time and effort the companies put into their multi-million dollar games.  image

    -=[ STAFF ]=-
    Djin@MMORPG.com

    image
    What will he do next?
  • Clever_GloveClever_Glove Member Posts: 996

    I don't think this is as much as a coast issue and a convenience one. Why get into my car in the 2 degree weather, fight traffic, get to the store, find where they hide the game, wessle the last copy away from zitty teen, wait in line for a 45 minutes, find my car then drive back home. When I could just download while watching my favorite episode of the Tick?

    Heck I'd pay 10 bucks more just to not drive to the store.


    -=-=-=-=-
    "The beauty of MMORPGS is the merging of gaming and chatrooms. EQ is really just AOL merged with a fantasy game." - billus8

    Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% Test learn what it means here.

    -=-=-=-=-
    Achievers realise that killers as a concept are necessary in order to make achievement meaningful and worthwhile (there being no way to "lose" the game if any fool can "win" just by plodding slowly unchallenged). -bartle


    Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% The Test. Learn what it means here.

  • DjinDjin Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 3,263

    Wow... I like getting out of my house, into my car and going to the local store.  I can't stand being in my house... sometimes I want to sell my computer because all it does is bring me nothing but headaches...

    I've beaten all the games out there...  I'm getting sick of MMORPGs and nothing new about any of them...  There's nothing new really...

    -=[ STAFF ]=-
    Djin@MMORPG.com

    image
    What will he do next?
  • Regal_TRRegal_TR Member Posts: 249
    Wow you guys must be some serious hideous fat ugly lazy dogs if you can't get out of your house and go get a gd game I mean WOW..I could go off on you losers for hours I mean jeez it wont kill you to get some fresh air.. Fat geeks these days jeeeeeeeeeez.

  • UiruruUiruru Member Posts: 984
    AHHH!!! BLASPHEMER!!!!! AHHH!!! Can you think what would happen if gaming companies did begin to sell directly to the public?  IT would be awesome, not only convinience wise either.  If they began to make alot of money(more than they are right now), then there would be so many more companies it would be insane.  Besides I dont think it is fair to say buisnesses would go out of buisness just because games began to sell directly to gamers.  I mean if you need hardwear and the like you cant download that, and like Djin some people just perfer to go to the store (for whatever reason I.E. Cute girl that works behind the counter). imageimageimage

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Oh my god... dont ask where i found it
    image


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 98% who has, copy & paste this in your signature.


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

  • Regal_TRRegal_TR Member Posts: 249
    Yeah Uiruri Im sure there are ALOT of cute girls at your local gamestop.. Please..Who cares if they go out of business? Technology has put ALOT of people out of business over the years, its the way life works. And there is now a company I forgot the website but that new Pirates game is using it, its an online game distributor..

  • UiruruUiruru Member Posts: 984
    ... Uh... Right... I dont like to the comp store because I have to drive awhile to get to one that is decent, so I am not supporting going to the store to buy games, I am just saying that they wont go out of buisness if gaming companies begin to sell straight to the public... imageimageimage

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Oh my god... dont ask where i found it
    image


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 98% who has, copy & paste this in your signature.


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

  • UiruruUiruru Member Posts: 984
    That is what I love about PS2, I see an awesome game come out and wait a few months and get it for $20... I think Halo for XBOX is still what $60?? imageimageimage

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Oh my god... dont ask where i found it
    image


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++
    98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 98% who has, copy & paste this in your signature.


    A: 73% S: 66% K: 33% E: 26%

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