GameSetLinks: A Topspin Smash For Alt.Distribution?
A little more GameSetLink-age as the week continues, then, and I'm heading things out with the announcement of Topspin, a company in the music space which looks to help independent artists do digital (and bonus physical) distribution bundles and loyalty-related 'clubs' easily - they already helped out Nine Inch Nails and are working with The Dandy Warhols and a bunch of other independent artists now.
As I note in the link description below, this is worth looking at closely because I don't really see anyone in the game biz doing similar loyalty-based deals - possibly because games take a lot longer to make, mind you, but I think there's some kind of angle in users signing up for a year, or two years of your output as a game design (especially if you're doing shortform games), and getting other perks too. Think about it, hmm?
Time for change:
Topspin » Unveiling Topspin
Absolutely a big deal that should be CAREFULLY looked at by the indie/mainstream game biz - Ian Rogers' new company is not just albums, it's artist-centric subscriptions with physical extras too. (Via Waxy)
The Independent Gaming Source on 'The Sims Carnival'
Mentioned this before briefly, but Rod Humble is trying to do a DIY indie game tool (open to all) within EA, which is v.interesting - a lot of plagiarized content so far, but you never know.
Pitchfork: Crystal Castles Respond to Chip Music Controversy
'Time to call off the witch-hunt?'
IGN: 8 Bit Weapon/ Reset Generation Soundtrack Album Download
The returned N-Gage (inside smartphones, this time, not the taco) has a chiptune soundtrack to its highest profile game - for free download, too.
Trends in Japan » 5 Second Stadium teaches you to count to five
Bizarre stopwatch game: 'After a while, deep down you’ll know instantly whether it’s been five seconds or not. Probably.'
Consolized AtomisWave System - JAMMA Neo Geo MVS Sammy - eBay
Interesting concept - console-ized versions of arcade boards with TV outputs wired into them, don't see that too often separately from SuperGuns.
Consolized PGM System by IGS • JAMMA Arcade Neo Geo MVS - eBay
Wow, OK, far more obscuro-cool! (The IGS PGM has been a minor obsession of mine thanks to its obscureness.)
Rooster Teeth · 'Supreme Surrender Episode 1'
New from Red Vs. Blue, helping to promote Supreme Commander on Xbox 360 - interesting. Via Wired News.
the-inbetween.com [ Inside ‘Puzzle Farter’ ]
An important franchise deconstructed.
Ben Boos: SWORDS: An Artist's Devotion
Just got sent a copy of this - a lavish hardback children's book about swords from an-ex Blizzard staffer (a fact they're using in the publicity, interestingly) who worked on Diablo II.
Comments
Wow, that consolized PGM is really...something. A for effort but I think he's asking way too much money for something that doesn't exactly have a huge list of must play games. Other than a crappy DoDonpachi sequel not developed by Cave and some generic looking fighters, I can't even think of what's on it.
Posted by: Captain Wrong | June 24, 2008 7:38 AM
I'm surprised with all of these deluxe editions and whatnot that no one is yet to include future expansion content as part of a bundle. I think a $80-100 special edition of The Sims 3 with a year's worth of digital and physical expansion products would sell.
I think The Dandy Warhols model can easily be replicated - 10% discount on webstore stuff, links to download games in your inbox the minute they are available (and perhaps a physical product in one's mailbox), and digital & physical expansion content would take the place of b-sides and singles. There are other artists who utilize a subscription model and own the rights to at least some of their back catalogue and make that readily available; I see no reason why game creators - if they own the rights - can make their back catalogue available in a similar manner.
On the contrary, I expect to see a game form of 360 deals presently popular in the music biz - a conglomerate from Hollywood determined to establish a presence in the industry, likely Paramount or WB, will make a deal with, say, Splash Damage that will have the conglomerate funding and publishing the game, and also pick up movie & book rights - the deal will let the two companies profit share in all aspects that the intellectual property encounters.
Posted by: Alexander | June 24, 2008 11:54 PM