CompUSA Kiosks
by Randall · in General Discussion · 12/17/2003 (10:07 am) · 9 replies
Quote:Computer retail giant CompUSA has begun offering an ATM-like service that dispenses software like candy from a vending machine.
The system, called SoftwareToGo, could profoundly change the way software is sold and distributed. It also may offer an alternative to software downloads, which have been hampered by slow Internet access and security concerns. The service is already running in some stores in San Francisco, Dallas and Seattle and includes 1,200 software programs including some from Microsoft.
We have been distributing "hardcopies" of our software through a similar method in the UK by a company called Softwide. It thermal stamps the CD with a custom label, prints a full color manual, and packaged in a DVD box with full color front/back image. The Kiosks appearing in a massive chain like CompUSA certainly looks promising.
We are currently investigating further to see if this is some closed-system that only benefits conglomerates like Microsoft, or if its something Indies could potentially use.
More info can be found at USA Today and CompUSA Press Release
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#2
12/17/2003 (10:54 pm)
Now THAT is cool! Millions to the person who thought of that! 
#3
12/18/2003 (8:11 am)
This is definitely an interesting development. I still think online, direct-download distribution is going to be the eventual winner sometime in the next few years, but this could become a very interesting transitional medium. 
#4
12/18/2003 (8:35 am)
I've got the contracts for it, and spent some time talking with Len Altman on the phone. I won't post the entire details of the converstation, but, it's not a bad deal in many ways. However, don't expect buckets of cash - this is much more like a retail deal profit wise (a bit better) than the profit levels from direct download stuff.
#5
12/18/2003 (11:03 am)
Would be a good way to raise awareness of your software, though. Especially if you had prominent website links on the disk so that people could refer their friends, potentially generating more online sales.
#6
today!)?
Or from browsing, as on the 'net?
12/18/2003 (11:08 am)
I wonder how your software would be found from the thousands of others? Would it be from advertising (Go to CompUSA and burn Or from browsing, as on the 'net?
#7
As for advertising online or anything like that - well, might as well just throw 'em to your website instead, since you get a better profit margin there.
Alex is probably right about getting secondary sales from the koisk sales.
I don't think this is a Bad Thing or anything like that - any income stream is a good one :-)
12/18/2003 (11:17 am)
I had the same thought as Eric on this one (we were chatting about it via email). I can see getting some impulse buys, of course, but beyond that I don't see how to pull in people without spending the big bucks nessisary for throwing your name in the CompUSA flier. The koisks supposts 5000 (!) games - bringing attention to yourself might be pretty difficult.As for advertising online or anything like that - well, might as well just throw 'em to your website instead, since you get a better profit margin there.
Alex is probably right about getting secondary sales from the koisk sales.
I don't think this is a Bad Thing or anything like that - any income stream is a good one :-)
#8
But as for just dropping it in and hoping to make a killing--I really doubt it. :-)
What somebody probably really needs to do is make up a kiosk for malls (and bars?) where the games could be played and/or purchased.
Not sure that my local Babbages would appreciate a software kiosk in the mall, tho. ;-)
-Eric
12/18/2003 (11:34 am)
Well, I can see where it would be a nice thing for people who want hard copies, or poor saps like myself who are on dial-up who would want to save time downloading (Randall's quote implies this).But as for just dropping it in and hoping to make a killing--I really doubt it. :-)
What somebody probably really needs to do is make up a kiosk for malls (and bars?) where the games could be played and/or purchased.
Not sure that my local Babbages would appreciate a software kiosk in the mall, tho. ;-)
-Eric
#9
Erics correct that this won't make Indies a killing, especially in a swamp of thousands of titles. Thats why marketing is so important, and this can play a big part.
The BEST way to do this is cross-marketing. Your website should advertise the hardcopy available at CompUSA Kiosks, possibly with a cool little picture of the manual, package and CD. If the kiosk allows a custom blurb by the dev, be sure to announce that a FREE DEMO is available at your website (provide the URL of course, and keep it as SHORT as possible so that it can be memorized).
The more times people see your game, the more likely they are to try it.
Kiosks in Malls, Airports etc. would be the PERFECT place- I don't know how many times I was waiting for my flight, wishing I had a new game to play. Whether or not Babbages appreciates it or not isn't the point (Opportunity). I wonder how these Kiosks would fly at a College or University- if prices can be low enough, those budget-minded students would definately want to give more Indie Games a whirl.
12/18/2003 (1:45 pm)
Alot of everyones speculation is right.Erics correct that this won't make Indies a killing, especially in a swamp of thousands of titles. Thats why marketing is so important, and this can play a big part.
The BEST way to do this is cross-marketing. Your website should advertise the hardcopy available at CompUSA Kiosks, possibly with a cool little picture of the manual, package and CD. If the kiosk allows a custom blurb by the dev, be sure to announce that a FREE DEMO is available at your website (provide the URL of course, and keep it as SHORT as possible so that it can be memorized).
The more times people see your game, the more likely they are to try it.
Kiosks in Malls, Airports etc. would be the PERFECT place- I don't know how many times I was waiting for my flight, wishing I had a new game to play. Whether or not Babbages appreciates it or not isn't the point (Opportunity). I wonder how these Kiosks would fly at a College or University- if prices can be low enough, those budget-minded students would definately want to give more Indie Games a whirl.
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