I thought in game industry you can make more money on volume sales using the existing online mid level pc gaming market as the target audience. If the software developer optimizes the game to “that” pc. Doing so, the pc cost to the user now becomes a “sunk” cost. There is no (or if there is , it is greatly reduced) cost for a pc upgrade because the game was optimized by the developer to a pc level that segment of the market already owns. However, to the flight sim newbie, there is still likely a unique differential hardware cost in terms of game controllers (e.g., head tracking, joystick, rudder peddals, headset...etc.). But even that can be minimized. 1C could partnership with companies like logitech or thrustmaster, for example, to come up with a plug and play hardware solution sold as a package with the game to meet all the gameplay requirements of the game for like $100-$150 bucks. So now your talking hurdle cost for the newbie of the game itself of $50 plus $150 for the hardware to play it. I think with that, there is volume potential, and more profit? You also now have your hardware partners backing you up. The more game you sell, the more hardware they sell and your advertising costs are now shared and is lower? You and your partners are now all advertising together because your interests are the same, sell as much copies of the game as possible. It is a given, the game has to be good, because you have competition in the target audience (rof, wop,etc.) and other genres of games as well . It has to be optimized to perform exceptionally well on the target PC without question. It has to have good gameplay. It has to be supported by the developer and has a timeline for expansion (new theaters, enhancements) for additional future revenues and to hold the interest of the players. Also, as side thought, I think it would be good if 1C had an official dedicated server to stay in touch first hand with the needs of the game and its users. Also, I think online gameplay and popularity could be enhanced with the introduction of virtual money/reward system via team based achievements in online gameplay used to buy better planes and loadouts for online wars between teams on the given server. The game integrity has to be maintained. Hacks, cheats, unfair scoring systems, complex and long setup times to make the game work correctly (e.g., mapping controls), hardware incompatibility, etc. These historical problems need to be closed out because they kill gameplay and interest. It needs to be a hassle free experience. At the same time, it should be realistic, competitive, ww2 historical, informative, intriguing and fun. It has to offer more than the gaming platforms (ps3, xbox, apple i phones...etc.) It has to offer a uniqueness different than the more popular types of genres (e.g., world of warcraft). You don’t want the mid level market gamers playing those games. You want them to play your game. So look at the strengths and attractions of their games and see if some of those qualities can be brought over to your game to make it even more unique and attractive to a larger segment of the mid level pc gamer market. What makes a player obsess over a game? How can you turn a non-player into a online ww2 flight sim player? A very good, interesting and complex game, fully supported by the develper at an affordable hurdle cost with good advertising for volume sales and profit? Maybe. I don’t know if this is possible. CloD probably did damage to rep. So whatever happened last May with 1C management, that evidently was the turning point. A fresh slate. Too bad we all had to wait 5 months to learn the truth form Luthier. Hopefully it was a well thought out long term plan and change in direction. Optimize the BOM game to the mid level pc every 3 years in sync with the expansions. So, performance is always improving, graphics is improving, but you stay in your mid level target audience for volume sales. Jmho.
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10-11-2012, 01:58 AM
Hybrid Mode
