Indie Games as Gifts?
by Jeremy Alessi · in General Discussion · 10/17/2003 (12:50 am) · 8 replies
Something that I've thought about quite a bit ... is that downloadable pay by credit card indie games probably don't do much as far as gift giving sales. What do people think about this idea...
Garage Games could have some sort of small kiosk in retail stores. The kiosk would be filled with cards that resemble EB's gift cards, but instead of getting credit at EB when the card is activated (like an EB gift card needs to be) it allows the holder to download a game from the GG site.
This would allow people to give our games as presents and could greatly increase the sales of online indie games. It would also be easier to gain entry into retail outlets and visibility since you wouldn't be directly competing for shelf space or with box covers from the latest 'AAA' titles.
Any thoughts?
Garage Games could have some sort of small kiosk in retail stores. The kiosk would be filled with cards that resemble EB's gift cards, but instead of getting credit at EB when the card is activated (like an EB gift card needs to be) it allows the holder to download a game from the GG site.
This would allow people to give our games as presents and could greatly increase the sales of online indie games. It would also be easier to gain entry into retail outlets and visibility since you wouldn't be directly competing for shelf space or with box covers from the latest 'AAA' titles.
Any thoughts?
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#2
I think a better idea would be a local computer shows and such. There is one that comes to my area college and I was actually thinking of finding out how much it is to be involved. I will look into it today and see what I come up with as far as the feasability of this.
10/17/2003 (4:37 am)
I like the idea of indie games gift but Kiosks at malls are very expensive. Near my area Albany NY and the North East you can have a rent of $10,000 a month!!! Yes that is Ten Thousand. I know this because my wife helped out with a sister company of hers in staffing the kiosks.I think a better idea would be a local computer shows and such. There is one that comes to my area college and I was actually thinking of finding out how much it is to be involved. I will look into it today and see what I come up with as far as the feasability of this.
#3
10/17/2003 (6:13 am)
Y'know, you could get the best out of this idea for the least rent by letting the web site spit out some kind of printable 'CD-KEY' page, suitable for printing and putting in a card or envelope or whatever.
#4
GF
10/17/2003 (7:30 am)
Could also buy cards here and then have them sent in the mail to people but that could be a little costly and time consuming for gg. It's a nifty idea though. If you could get these onto store shelve it would also mean that people like myself without a credit card could buy games here.GF
#5
10/17/2003 (8:51 am)
Yeah, I know about the stand alone kiosks they are expensive! Rather I was thinking it would be a small display on the count of EB or like one of the magazine racks only it would hold cards. I do like the idea of letting the website print out something or maybe even email something to a specific person on their birthday. Still that allows gift giving but it doesn't give any more exposure or allow people without credit cards to purchase the games. I'd be happy though if there were a gift giving method at all though.
#6
10/17/2003 (9:11 am)
Yeah, I know about the stand alone kiosks they are expensive! Rather I was thinking it would be a small display on the count of EB or like one of the magazine racks only it would hold cards. I do like the idea of letting the website print out something or maybe even email something to a specific person on their birthday. Still that allows gift giving but it doesn't give any more exposure or allow people without credit cards to purchase the games. I'd be happy though if there were a gift giving method at all though.
#7
I'd be willing to pay a few bucks extra to have a physical piece of something shipped for gift-giving purposes.
10/17/2003 (12:57 pm)
I gave two GarageGames games (Orbz and Chain Reaction) as a birthday gift once, and it would be very nice if there was a way to give a physical something-or-other, instead of saying, "Now lets go play with my credit card."I'd be willing to pay a few bucks extra to have a physical piece of something shipped for gift-giving purposes.
#8
But the end product is very nice. The CD is even stamped with your own custom graphic.
They also have brick-and-mortar stores in the UK, and you basically walk in and select your product from a kiosk, and the entire thing is stamped and assembled right there for you.
For us, it doesn't generate a huge boost in income since we create mobile games and that is such a niche market. But for PC developers, you might get better results.
10/17/2003 (2:17 pm)
There is a company in the UK called Softwide. (Softwide.com I think) They will stamp individual CDs, print the manuals and package it in neat little DVD box complete with sleeve and ship it for you. Of course, you have to provide the software (including any frontend loaders, etc.) and the manual documentation (according to their specs) and the sleeve graphics.But the end product is very nice. The CD is even stamped with your own custom graphic.
They also have brick-and-mortar stores in the UK, and you basically walk in and select your product from a kiosk, and the entire thing is stamped and assembled right there for you.
For us, it doesn't generate a huge boost in income since we create mobile games and that is such a niche market. But for PC developers, you might get better results.
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