| 16 SEP 2005 at 1:46pm |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | I can't imagine why no one else has replied yet so I will, alghough it won't be much use.
1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
I haven't played Bone but that does sound steep.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I don't mind paying online but I'd hate to only have the downloaded game. What if my h/d crashed? What if the d/l was interrupted or faulty in some way. I don't fancy that at all.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
yes
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I won't download the new Myst demo because it's a damn silly size and will take up too long - and I'm on broadband. So I guess that means I'm interested in time taken rather than size.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
see above
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
no
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
yes, freebies, arcade stuff
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
not really and isn't it a lot of effort changing the font colour all the time. on't think I'll bother doing that again.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 1:51pm |
RecklessJourneyman
Posts : 962
Joined: 14 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Hiya Steve,
Although I've never posted on AG I usually voice opinion of digital distribution and/or episodic releases, etc. here. There's always a fair bit of animosity as the supporters of the model beleive it's the only way games will survive. Perhaps they are correct but I firmly beleive there to a some middle ground available.
I fully support the need for developers to gain as much revenue as possible thus enabling them to produce the games I'd like to play.
In answer to your questions:
1. Too much? Hmm. In the US (speaking generally from threads here and around) it would seem that people will only pay $20-30 for a full game so on first glance this (4 hrs) would seem to be a 'bad deal' and yes it does seem a little lightweight in my opinion (even from UK's pricing perspective). For $20 I think it's reasonable to expect around 6 hours gameplay. I'm basing this on expectations of 'full length' games having around 15 hours games.
2. I'm not. I would make exceptions however as I'm not that pig headed in that I know if I don't get a game that way it's unlikely I could play it...
3. Yes. I'd go for that I've purchased a few like this (Lifestream being the most recent). OK, it's a CD-R but has a nice printed lablel and comes with CD inlay and I also picked up the great guide. To me it makes a big difference to own something rather than just download it.
4. No size limitation would put me off. With download managers there shouldn't be any limit for people with broadband connections. Modem connected people will most likely not download anything over a few tens of MBs and so not likely to be that keen whatever the size.
5. No.
6. No.
7. Yes but only one or two. Usually they get wiped within a short time as well.
8. It's bad
Episodic games have the absolute least value in my opinion. Why? Well by their very nature they're either self contained chapters in which case they are usually casual games they you pick up and throw back with little effort OR they end up leaving you on the seat's edge before you can obatin the next episode! The latter style is *perhaps* better but then you've got real issues with people who play games faster (or better) than others who will have to wait for a time before the next episode is ready. Additionally if episodes are spread over many months/perhaps years isn't there a possible danger of stagnating the game itself - tying yourself into a specific technology platform, etc. or as a developer just getting bored of working on something far longer [in elapsed time] than before. For me I think I'd prefer to wait until all the episodes were complete then play the lot in one go.
Steve, I've offered before and will offer again. I'd pay for my copy of your game up front here and now if it would help it come to market! There are some people, like yourself, I have faith in - blind & stupid maybe but hey we all do stuff we may regret later On the other hand if you were a nameless/pedigreeless person from the depths of an EA dev studio I wouldn't be interested!
As always, I'm looking forward to The Sapphire Claw and wish you the very best for it! /me is a fanboy? Perhaps but hey, flame me
[url=http://leisuresuitlarry.dyndns.org/]Leisure Suit Larry Archive Site[/url]&&[url=http://www.adamhearn.co.uk]Hearn Garage[/url]
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 1:59pm |
Lucien21Guild Master
Posts : 4876
Joined: 9 JUL 2003
Location: 0
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Steve Ince (16 SEP 2005 12:12pm)
1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
I think that is pretty subjective. How many people complained about paying £40 for Another Code which is about 5-6 hours in lenght. I feel that $20 is about £11 in the UK which is a budget priced game in the stores.
If the quality of the game was high enough price wouldn't enter into it as how can you compare the 60+ hours for Baldurs Gate against the 10-15 hours of the likes of Half Life 2. Games have neverbeen priced by the $/hour.
$20 is prefectly reasonable to me. however people are saying that $20 is the standard price for full lenght games in the US so maybe people are drawing a direct comparison.
I laughed recently when I heard they were complaining about the rise in fuel prices in the US from 20 pence/litre to 40 pence/litre when in the UK it is 95 pence a litre.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
Perfectly happy, but would like the package to come with cover graphics and disc label pictures to allow me to print them and put on the CD when I burn it.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
Not really, but I bet you get a different response from others this seems to be a sticking point. - It's just fear of change.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I have downloaded stuff up to 4 gb in size and larger so not bothered about size. More concerned with the speed of the download woulld be off putting.
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Graphic intensive games like Myst 4 would be quite large, but I can't say i would be put off by its a strategy game, but it's too large.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
No but I plan on downloading the SiN episodes when released on Steam.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Yes, but never paid for any. played the demos for the Jane Jensen games, but didn't purchase full version.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Down with publishers I would rather put the money in the hands of developers like Steve andTelltale for their hard work than line the pockets of EA anyday. Online Distribution is the perfect way to release something worldwide direct to the market you are aiming for without being buried on the bottom shelf of GAME never to be seen again.
It guarantees a longer shelf life for Niche markets to allow sales to build up and fund future developments within the genre.
But the biggest problem is getting over the "I hate change" barrier and get consumers to change spending patterns. It's the old if I don't have anything solid in my hand I can't have bought anything routine.
Dear Diary, My teenage angst bullsh*t now has a bodycount.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 2:00pm |
Steve IncePrivate Detective
Posts : 571
Joined: 7 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Caroline, the thread hasn't been up very long - I'm sure others will reply. I'm glad that you did, thanks.
Reckless, thanks for the kind offer, but I'm reluctant to take your money. If anything happened that prevented me from completing the game I'd feel really bad about having taken your money. Your encouragement and faith is very uplifting and is part of why I want to make games.
Edit: Sorry Lucien, you snuck in your reply when I was writing this up. Thanks.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 2:02pm |
Fibber_McGeeSpace Cadet
Posts : 168
Joined: 2 AUG 2004
Status : Online | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
For $20, I'd say 8-10 hours is just about right.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I have no problem with it if I think the game's worth it.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
You mean on top of paying for the downloaded game? No. If it were an either/or proposition I'd likely go for the download since it would probably be cheaper and no going to the store or waiting for the game to ship and arrive at your house.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I've downloaded some pretty damned huge files, so I'd say no limit. Broadband's always on, so who cares if it takes a while? It's not like the olden days when I had dial-up and big downloads would always get cut off by incoming phone calls.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here, but I'll say no.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
No. Never seen any I thought were worth the money.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
A few, I usually get bored with them long before the trial period runs out, so no reason to buy any of them. Plus, they all seem to be variations on the same five basic game types.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Not reaaly. On Out From Boneville though, I'd likely cough up the cash in spite of the meager playing time if the voices didn't suck. The lesson here: good voice actors or none at all! (Okay, the voices aren't terrible, but they don't sound right to me, which is almost as bad.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 2:15pm |
KsandraSchattenjger
Posts : 2459
Joined: 2 APR 2003
Status : Online | 1. Well, a normal adventure would have about 20-30 hours of gameplay and cost around £30. So, for a game costing $20 (£13, including VAT), I'd expect at least 8 or so hours of gameplay - twice as much as you get in Bone.
2. Not that happy at all, to be honest - though I'll do it that way if I really want a game.
3. Not for the same amount of gameplay, certainly.
4. I have a fairly fast connection, but I don't like waiting hours for huge downloads, and our ISP limits us to 1GB of traffic a day (or rather, 30 a month.) So 1GB is the absolute limit.
5. Yes. If it has high production values, excellent graphics etc., I'd be more willing to download a big game (and pay more for it).
6. No, never.
7. No - if I want to play those, I'll do it online.
8. I'm not keen on them, in general. I find it tiresome to have to wait for long downloads, and it's all too easy for things to go wrong, making you start again from the beginning. The 'episodic' format is unsatisfying - I prefer to have a single game that comes to a proper conclusion - and often ends up costing far more overall. For instance, 6 episodes of Bone at $20 each would cost British players nearly £80 - well over twice as much as you'd pay for a normal game with the same amount of gameplay.
I can understand that online distribution has great advantages for developers, but it just seems to me that the cost to consumers is far too high. I don't honestly see what can be done about that; it's something of a zero-sum game. [smiley=shrug.gif]
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 2:20pm |
AndromusGuild Master
Posts : 5538
Joined: 6 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | 1. 10-12 hours, I'd say.
2. Not very happy. In addition to the issues already mentioned, there's also the annoyance of registration, and dealing with having codes e-mailed to you and entering them. If you want to uninstall the game, you'll probably still need the code if you want to reinstall and play it again, and that's just annoying. I like having everything I need right there on the CD and ready to install and go without all that.
3. Absolutely, definitely.
4. No particular limit, if I really want to play something.
5. No.
6. A couple of puzzle games.
7. Every once in awhile I try one, just the trial version though.
8. As I've said, I'm not a fan of the concept. I understand the idea that it keeps costs down and all, but I don't find it appealing from a consumer standpoint.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 2:52pm |
mszvPrivate Detective
Posts : 751
Joined: 12 OCT 2002
Status : Online | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
- 6-8 hours. I'm not wedded to the idea of more money/longer game (I like short games!) but $20 (US) for 4 hours does seem rather short, even for me. Conversely (where are those marketing folks when you need them?) - I suspect that if the price is less than $20 (US), people won't think it's enough of a game to buy it, even if it's advertised as a shorter game!
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
- perfectly happy with this, but see my comments
When one of the games in the Myst series (can't remember if it was Myst IV or an Uru expansion pack) was available for download, for money, there were some discomfort with it at Gameboomers. The issues were - the time to download, the need to make a backup, and how to activate the demo. If a "key" was required or the player had to be online, what happens if and when the developer/publisher is not around anymore and the key doesn't work? If you reinstall the game, how many times with the electronic key work? On demographics, Gameboomers tends to attract older viewers, just FYI.
- I didn't think about those issues myself, but now that I'm going to reinstall an electronic game, I am wondering where I put the electronic "key" and if it will work.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
- Yes and No. Yes, I'd like it to be available, but No - I probably wouldn't use it - would go the download route.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it
- No limit, it could be 1 GB and up.
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
- I'm not sure what you mean by this. Do you mean a casual game vs a more in-depth game? I would be more tempted to do a big download if it was a "bigger" game, if that makes sense.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
- I paid for one episode of Agon (adventure game), something in the Myst series (still can't remember which thing was the subscription download), and numerous games for my PDA (personal digital assistant) - Palm Tungsten T3. Downloading games is the distribution model for PDA games, so that's not much of an issue.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
- an electronic jigsaw puzzle
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
- There is something appealing about having a CD/DVD of the game, but I agree that it is an older distribution model, that should be replaced. For all that, I suspect that there might be an some issues with getting people to use the newer distribution model For a game of yours, I would be more than willing to download it! Good luck.
Regards, mszv
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 5:19pm |
colpetSchattenjger
Posts : 1630
Joined: 12 APR 2003
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
I would expect about 10 hours of play.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
It is not my preference to download games. I prefer a CD or DVD.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
Yes.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
Don't really know, since I don't usually download much from the internet.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I'm not sure what you mean.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
No
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Yes, I play jigsaws.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
If it was a game that really interested me, and there was no alternative means of getting it, I would pay for a download.
Occasionally visiting Uru Live (KI 0063722 .&&
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 5:31pm |
szcaxJourneyman
Posts : 935
Joined: 12 OCT 2002
Status : Online | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
Ten Hours. The fact that Bone is episodic also diminishes its value for me: I don't like the idea that I'm paying for a product that doesn't contain a full plotline. If I had the choice of purchasing one of two games, all equal (including length) except one is a 'full length' game with a complete story and a definite conclusion, while the other is an episodic game, I'd pay an extra $10 for the complete-story game.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
Totally comfortable.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
Yes, for perhaps $5 more.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
As long as it fits on my hard drive, I'm ok with downloading it
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to, but I think you're asking whether I would be willing to download bigger or smaller files for different types of games. The answer is: not really. If I want to download a big file, I'll just start the download and let it run in the background until it's done. I have access to broadband, so it's not really an issue.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
I have certainly paid for games in other genres, and I have certainly downloaded games in other genres, but I have never paid to download any game, adventure or otherwise.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Yes, from free sites and abandonware sites. I would never pay for a casual game, because there are so many addicting (the only trait that really matters in casual games) casual games available for free.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
I certainly have mixed feelings about it, since it's a weird feeling to be paying big bucks and not receiving anything tangible in return. However, if some top quality adventure games (not just random amateur efforts) started going the route of download only, I'd go along with it and probably be comfortable with it after 2 or three times.
Thanks for your time.
You're welcome!
Black holes are where God divided by zero
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 6:00pm |
papillonSorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 340
Joined: 3 JUL 2003
Status : Online | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
Minimum 6, more like 8-10. Also, as someone else mentioned, the episodic nature makes me worry that I'll get an unsatisfactory gaming experience (no resolution, waiting endlessly for a next segment that may not ever arrive and will be a long time coming anyway) and bad overall value. Multiple-parts games are usually rereleased in a cheaper combined package at some point down the road, IF they don't just die out entirely. So I'd be holding out for higher standards for my $20 than I would for just any game.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
Depends on the game and the registration process and the copy-protection and all kinds of things... Some games, you download the whole thing right away but need an unlock code to access the full content. If that code is given to me and is unlimited (no online activation, no tied to hardware) then I can just redownload and setup the game if I lose it, no problem.
Also, if it comes in a full-version download that I can then back up to CD, that's fine too.
SOME companies have designed insane systems where you have to access their server every single time you want to play the game, can never transfer the rights to another person, can never change your hardware or reinstall the game if you lose it... That just stinks, and I won't buy from them.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
I like to have alternatives available, but unless it comes in a really nice box, I don't care that much about getting it on CD. Special note - Make sure your CD version isn't MORE crippled than your web version. Again, bad copy-protection experiences of the past, where people ended up with completely useless CDs and games they couldn't play...
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I have broadband and an always-on server. I will download ANYTHING. Now, I'd prefer a *demo* to be under a gig...
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Yes, but mostly for logical reasons - if someone has designed a 600MB version of Pacman, I'm suspicious.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
I never bought a physical box for City of Heroes - I bought a boxcode and downloaded the whole game from them. Also Fate, and some smaller stuff...
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
More than I can count. Often as a matter of doing feedback requests for fellow devs. I don't generally BUY the casual games, because there's so many of them around... there will always be another one, fairly similar, coming along soon!
[url=http://whineaboutgames.blogspot.com]I Whine About Games[/url]&&&&[url=http://www.hanakogames.com]Anime Games[/url]
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 10:11pm |
Terry PenrodGrand Inquisitor
Posts : 6693
Joined: 16 OCT 2004
Location: US, Texas
Status : Offline | .
1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
8 hours, minimum average based on USD
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
In some but not all cases. For instance, epic RPGs have massive manuals and large, detailed maps. I really prefer to have commercially printed hard copies of them, not PDFs with inkjet or laser prints and am more than willing to pay extra for them and a proper set of CDs or a DVD. But for smaller, less complicated titles like most AGs, downloads, digital manuals and direct online payment is fine.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
See the above, plus it is always nice to have the option to order a CD version online, pay online and then just have it shipped direct.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
Around 1 to 2 GBs for a full game based on current, average DSL speeds in my area (Houston, Texas).
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Also see the above.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Yes, several times for arcade classics and official EPs for games like Neverwinter Nights from BioWare.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Many times, mostly freeware but also a number of simple shareware puzzle games, etc. that charge a small fee for the code to unlock all the features.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
As stated above, it really depends on the size / scope of the game and things like a proper printed manual and large maps / other reference material for huge game worlds that are often critical to playing certain titles in certain genres. The newer games in full 3D also tend to have massive file sizes spanning several CDs or a DVD.
But even they can fit nicely in the smaller DVD type retail boxes when designed and packaged right. They pack tighter which saves shelf space in stores, storage space in homes and the contents don't bang around so much in tranist. You also save a little on printing and shipping costs because less total cardboard / paper is needed to fabricate the external container and internal stiffening components. If a large manual, etc. is not needed, then the plastic book-style DVD cases also work great.
Cheers, Terry
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 10:58pm |
jalexSchattenjger
Posts : 2503
Joined: 5 MAR 2003
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
That sounds a little high. I usually don't buy games that are less than 20 hours of game play.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I would rather have a hard copy but I have no problem with buying online.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
I don't care about a box but I like a cd or dvd with an attractive label and jewel case that I can keep in my collection.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I have no problem with download size but I am really not sure I would bother unless there was no other way.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Well if it were smaller than say a Cd then I would think I would not be getting much.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
No
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Software and Programs, Yes : Games, No
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Even though I can burn the game onto a Cd or DVD, I don't really want to do that.
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 11:03pm |
CBSection31Intergalactic Janitor
Posts : 65
Joined: 10 MAY 2004
Status : Online | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
At least 10 hours...preferably a little more.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I have no qualms with downloading content, as long as you don't have to go through some arduous registration process each time you reinstall the game. I remember a few years ago purchasing a game from a website that later went out of business. After that, the game was unplayable, as it could not locate the website for registration!
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
It depends on the difference in cost. If it were under $5.00 (not including shipping), then definitely.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I have broadband, so dial-up users may have a different response, but I'm willing to download a few gigs before I'd be put off. I'd also be put off if the download speed was regulated by the server. Granted, large files would definitely eat up bandwidth.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
The style? No. The content, though? efinitely. I'll only download larger games (more than 200 MB or so) if I am extremely confident I will enjoy them.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Yes, but only once or twice.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Yes, but not often, and I usually delete them within a few hours. I don't think I'd purchase any casual games, though.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
It's a tricky issue, in my opinion, to deal with. As a developer, I looked into this option, but decided it would end up costing me more in the long run (due to bandwidth charges) and cause customers more grief (due to copy protection, download problems, etc.) than providing the game on CD. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, of course. If done properly, I'm sure it could be quite effective!
|
| 16 SEP 2005 at 11:52pm |
BazzaLBPrivate Detective
Posts : 512
Joined: 27 AUG 2005
Location: AU
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
hmmm, I guess this is 30AUD. Gimme 8 hours I'd be happy. Of course this includes nutting out puzzles so this is very subjective.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
Much preferred. Then I'm not at the mercy of our crappy Australian Software distributors whereby we wait months for SOME releases. Also sick of cardboard boxes inside cardboard boxes. Out here they even package DVD cases in cardboard boxes.. MADNESS
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
nope
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
this depends on game play hours for me. 8 hours per gig
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Not really.. See above
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Yep. Just bought rFactor for 50AUD (Racing Simulator). Also bought Gish. I would have bought HL2 this way but had a crappy dial up at the time
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
I guess Gish is a "casual" game, so yeah
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Yep.. Be careful of your copy protection, and you limits of activation key use. Must also be able to simply pay by credit card via a proper secure and instant payment gateway.. I hate paypal et al
Thanks for your time.
not a single problem in the world
|
| 17 SEP 2005 at 7:37am |
Steve IncePrivate Detective
Posts : 571
Joined: 7 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | A big thank you to everyone who spent the time answering my questions, it's been really valuable. It will help me enormously in formulating my plan.
|
| 21 SEP 2005 at 7:26pm |
AkhillesPrivate Detective
Posts : 581
Joined: 21 JUL 2003
Location: US
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
If you think about it as hour for dollar, then for half the price of a full price adventure that's usually 40 hours, I would expect 15-20 hours of entertainment. Maybe I'm thinking about RPG's being 40-60 hours. At any rate, 4 hours is a tad short for $20
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
The only thing I despise about this format is that the software has to "call home" before you can play (most online delivery that I've come into contact with does this). If the servers are overloaded... you don't get to play.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
If it's a game by a game maker I know/trust/like then I most likely will order the CD or go into the store and buy it as opposed to downloading it. I don't really trust the discs I burn from downloaded software.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
This is the broadband age. Are you kidding? I have bandwidth to spare. I'm downloading videos of podcasts now that are over 1G. Game demos are full 1, 2 or 3 disc archives (3G+). So.. there really isn't a limit (to me at least).
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
Moot point.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Half Life 2. Their "steam" software delivery system is horrible. It's a fantastic idea, but implemented poorly.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Paid for and downloaded some hard core chess library/engines. (Multi-processor, thinking chess engines). Is that casual?
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Yeah, I hate "stub" programs like the Digital River thing Bone used. I would rather download the entire game in a single archive that I can backup to a CDROM/DVDROM
Ok Steve, let's get back to making some games!!
You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.
|
| 22 SEP 2005 at 4:19am |
WhimsicalIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 18
Joined: 20 SEP 2005
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Steve Ince (16 SEP 2005 12:12pm)
This has also been posted at AG, but as I value the opinion of all adventure game players I decided to post it here, too. I hope that's okay.
After the heated debate on AG in the "New Business Model" thread (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=10363) and some of the reactions to the cost versus playing time in the "Bone" thread (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=10390) I'd like to pose some questions if I may.
I'm not comfortable with the idea of asking gaming fans to part with cash in advance of any development, so I'm trying to work out some way that will enable me to bring my game ideas to fruition. I would appreciate as many serious answers to the following as possible.
1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Thanks for your time.
1. It depends, I suppose. I'm currently on my 15th or so hour (and only about halfway through) of a puzzle game I downloaded for $20 - my wife is on her 50th or so hour of an action game she downloaded for $20 (granted, she replayed the first half of it over about 3 times).
So maybe I'm spoiled from those two games, but I'd be looking for 20 -30 hours of gameplay for $20.
2. Reasonably happy.
3. Depends on how much extra the CD was
4. Nah, am perfectly happy to download mega game files- got a 120 gig hd just for that purpose.
5. Nah
6. Yup. Downloaded Rocknor's Donut Factory (for me) and Fate (for the missus)
7. Not sure what you mean by "casual" games- you mean like the pop cap stuff? Or my net backgammon client?
8. I dislike episodic games. If I cant buy a full game, Im not gonna buy.
|
| 22 SEP 2005 at 6:17am |
Steve IncePrivate Detective
Posts : 571
Joined: 7 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Thanks for the further replies, guys.
|
| 22 SEP 2005 at 6:58pm |
| Deleted User | 1. Well, I guess $20 is about the same you'd pay to watch two two-hour movies at the cinema these days and if you catch two good movies, you don't think of that as a waste of money. But I don't think I'd like to pay that much for a game I did not have good reason to believe was very good. Also, four hours of gameplay isn't exactly like four hours of good movie watching. If it was four hours of plot being delivered that's something else than one hour of plot and three hours of getting stuck in puzzles and browsing menues. So, it depends how you count I guess...
2. I like to "collect" games that I really love. If I can't get it in a box but it's just on my computer, maybe working for a limited time, that's not much fun. It can be a pretty convenient way of buying a game for sure, but I like to have both options if possible.
3. Yes, as a collectible item. A limited edition box or something for the hardcore fans, that's nice. If it's just a budget CD with PDF manuals etc, I'm as happy burning it myself (legally).
4. Download sizes aren't scaring me away. I could accept several gigabytes, and few games are that big yet.
5. Not in the sense that I'd be put off downloading a game of a certain genre just because it was a big download. I think all genres are more or less equal in terms of size these days.
6. Yes, I did it with Half-Life 2, but I had a voucher with my graphics card, so I didn't really buy it independently. If I did, I probably would have paid a little extra just for the box. I also downloaded and have played some Anarchy Online, but that was offered for free... In any case, I have experience with downloaded games of different genres and it's been working pretty nice I think. I see less reasons for adventure games to be online than other genres though. With an MMORPG it's a necessary condition of the game and that makes buying them/downloading them online more natural.
7. Not really. I've played a few things online from time to time, but they were all playable from the website directly.
8. It's nice sometimes, but I'm not in love with the idea of having it as the only option. If adventure game developers feel it's the only way to distribute their games to make money from them, I certainly prefer that to having no adventure games at all, but I hope there still is room for big-budget titles that ship the traditional way. Maybe I'm a dinosaur, but that's just how I still feel... :
|
| 22 SEP 2005 at 7:04pm |
| Deleted User | Oh right, I should add (as I just saw someone else mention in this thread) that I'm afraid of burning a copy of a downloaded game for backup reasons if I cannot properly verify that all the files are correct. That's why I still haven't made a backup of my Half-Life 2 copy. The first time I downloaded it I had errors in a file containing textures. It didn't crash the game but meant that I had rendering errors at certain locations. Many other people had the same problem and the solution was to re-download one particular file. But I'm pretty sure I noticed a similar rendering error even the second time so I probably didn't get the file 100% intact the second time either. Before I burn a DVD with it, I want to be able to verify the integrity of ALL the game files. I haven't checked if this is possible to do now. Maybe it is... Anyway, it's an example of how it should not work when you download a game (i.e. no exhaustive content verification during install).
|
| 23 SEP 2005 at 7:30pm |
IviniaGuild Master
Posts : 4459
Joined: 7 JUN 2003
Location: US
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
I think it is ok, but depends on the enjoyment the player gets out of it. I recently broke down and bought a space shooter via Alawar games and finished all the levels in 30 minutes. Needless to say, I was pretty ticked off. $20 for 30 minuntes was definitely a rip off.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I have no problem with this. Do it all the time.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
I'd take the download. I'm impatient. If there were the option of downloading AND getting the CD for a few extra bucks, I'd probably go for it. This way I can play immediately, yet still get a hard copy in the mail.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
200+ megs, but then it depemds on the game too. I might be prone to kick off the download and go out to eat instead of sitting there waiting.
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I'd have to say yes. A casual game at over 20megs would be steep, but an FPS or AG at 200 megs would be acceptable.
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Yes, several. Also non-games such as plug-ins for graphics software.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
LOL, yes. Pretty much all of them! Only purchase a few full versions though.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Make sure it is on a fast connection!!! Nothing causes me to stop a download faster than if its coming across at less than 100 kbps!
Also make sure the registration process is fast and convenient. I once made a purchase and found I wouldn't get the registration for several days until the Paypal payment went through. Had I known that I would have opted for a credit card purchase instead. Make it clear as to how long the customer will have to wait before playing. I also registered a game once where the process was NOT automated. I had to wait over 24 hours before they manually read there email that I had made a purchase, then they manually emailed me back with the registration key. Very frustrating.
The purpose of downloading is the ease of purchase and the ability to use the software immediately (or within a few minutes). Some of these sites make it more inconvenient than if you were to just go to the store to buy it. Completely defeats the purpose of downloading...
|
| 27 SEP 2005 at 9:04pm |
alkis21Schattenjger
Posts : 2112
Joined: 23 OCT 2002
Location: GR
Status : Offline | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
An adventure game is not a sack of potatoes; we can't measure its value by putting it on a scale. If it's good enough, it's long enough. So my answer is that $20 is more than reasonable for a good game.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I will definitely be buying more games online.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
No.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I have broadband at work, size is not an issue.
5. oes the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I'm not sure I understand the question. :-/
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
Yes, I bought Warblade online, a fantastic PC conversion of the classic Amiga game Deluxe Galaga.
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
I play as many free adventures as possible, I enjoy some of them much more than commercial ones.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Just happy thoughts sent your way.
|
| 28 SEP 2005 at 9:28am |
| Deleted User | 1. A number of people feel that the price of $20 for four hours of gameplay (Bone) is a little too much. What would you feel is an acceptable amount of gameplay for $20?
Hmmmm, maybe $10 sounds more reasonable for 4 hours. Although, if I was somehow sold on the idea that this game was something I absolutely had to play, then I'd probably pony up the $20. However, for the average game, I'm going to steal other people's answer and say that at least 10 hours of gameplay sounds better if I'm paying $20.
2. Now that online payment and downloadable content is here to stay, how happy are you to buy your games this way in future?
I'm not against it. Although, having said that, I have yet to purchase a game through download.
3. If an alternative format (CD, say) was offered for an additional charge, would you prefer this?
If the game was only available as a download, then I would be fine with that. However, if a CD version was offered for a couple extra bucks, I'd probably go with that.
4. If you downloaded a game to play, how big would the download be before it put you off downloading it?
I don't know. Assuming it's a game that I'm totally stoked to play, I could see downloading a couple gigs worth.
5. Does the size of the download depend on the style of the game in any way?
I don't think so. Although, if I was told that I would have to spend hours downloading several gigs worth of data for a super new version of Minesweeper, I'd probably be pretty hesitant (not to mention surprised).
6. Have any of you downloaded and paid for games in other genres?
I haven't even downloaded games in this genre (except for free amateur adventures).
7. Have any of you downloaded any "casual" games?
Nope, although I've considered it. However, the knowledge that I already have enough activities to fill my day always prevents me.
8. Have you any other thoughts on downloading games?
Nope.
|
