What retail channel results in the most support to Obsidian?

[spacekungfuman]

I believe in voting with my wallet, and Obsidian is one of only two mainstream rpg makers (the other being CD Projekt) that I want to support. To that end, I would like to know what the "best way" to buy Obsidian's games is. Do some stores/distribution channels result in the company seeing more revenue? Is it better to buy from Best Buy than Amazon on day one to help boost early numbers which help publisher's decide whether or not to make a sequel? I know this may sound like a weird question, but we lost Troika, and while Obsidian seems to be doing well, I want to make sure I do my own small part to keep the last refuge for the "golden age" spirit making games as long as possible. Thanks.

 

P.S. This isn't butt kissing or anything. I just really can't deal with the thought of a world where the only RPGs are made by awful companies like the now console obsessed Bethesda or post BG2 Bioware. Since when did PC RPGs have to be accessible to the lowest common denominator?

[Humodour]

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I do not like the direction the industry has gone.

 

I'd suggest the best way to buy their games is as soon as they come out, and the normal way (game stores). The reason being, a lot of a game's success is determined in the initial release period. There's the issue of bugs of course, but if you have faith that Obsidian will produce good games, and release good patches (which I do), then it's a moot point.

[Walsingham]

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I do not like the direction the industry has gone.

 

I'd suggest the best way to buy their games is as soon as they come out, and the normal way (game stores). The reason being, a lot of a game's success is determined in the initial release period. There's the issue of bugs of course, but if you have faith that Obsidian will produce good games, and release good patches (which I do), then it's a moot point.

 

You mean like with a movie?

[Humodour]

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I do not like the direction the industry has gone.

 

I'd suggest the best way to buy their games is as soon as they come out, and the normal way (game stores). The reason being, a lot of a game's success is determined in the initial release period. There's the issue of bugs of course, but if you have faith that Obsidian will produce good games, and release good patches (which I do), then it's a moot point.

 

You mean like with a movie?

 

If you're making a quip about publisher's cut, I'm not sure whether or not Steam necessarily makes Obsidian directly more money, although I know Chris Avellone said he likes Steam. The thing is, in this case the publisher is Sega, and as far as I can tell they're supportive and excellent to work, for so I wouldn't really want to circumvent them getting their cut.

[Walsingham]

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I do not like the direction the industry has gone.

 

I'd suggest the best way to buy their games is as soon as they come out, and the normal way (game stores). The reason being, a lot of a game's success is determined in the initial release period. There's the issue of bugs of course, but if you have faith that Obsidian will produce good games, and release good patches (which I do), then it's a moot point.

 

You mean like with a movie?

 

If you're making a quip about publisher's cut, I'm not sure whether or not Steam necessarily makes Obsidian directly more money, although I know Chris Avellone said he likes Steam. The thing is, in this case the publisher is Sega, and as far as I can tell they're supportive and excellent to work, for so I wouldn't really want to circumvent them getting their cut.

 

Actually I meant how in the film industry a lot rides on the opening weekend. Although I've always felt that reflected marketing more than the film.

 

Interesting what you say about Sega. If so, it's nice to see.

[themadhatter114]

It certainly does help if stores are more willing to buy your game from the publisher, and if the publisher makes a lot of money from your game. Unless they realistically hope to one day self-finance their games, I think the best way to help is to instill publisher confidence. Obsidian has 2 games in a row that will be published by Sega. If Alpha Protocol makes a lot of money for Sega, and then especially if they have another hit with the Aliens game, Sega could be a reliable partner down the road, and I figure they'd get even more leeway to create original IPs. Or maybe they'll want a sequel to Alpha Protocol, or Sega Sports might ask them to make MLB 2010 RPG (er, maybe Take Two has those rights, I don't remember). And if the NWN2 franchise keeps making money, Atari is going to be much more likely to contract Obsidian for a 4E game. And Atari is very likely going to want to cash in on 4E as soon as possible.

[Walsingham]

It certainly does help if stores are more willing to buy your game from the publisher, and if the publisher makes a lot of money from your game. Unless they realistically hope to one day self-finance their games, I think the best way to help is to instill publisher confidence. Obsidian has 2 games in a row that will be published by Sega. If Alpha Protocol makes a lot of money for Sega, and then especially if they have another hit with the Aliens game, Sega could be a reliable partner down the road, and I figure they'd get even more leeway to create original IPs. Or maybe they'll want a sequel to Alpha Protocol, or Sega Sports might ask them to make MLB 2010 RPG (er, maybe Take Two has those rights, I don't remember). And if the NWN2 franchise keeps making money, Atari is going to be much more likely to contract Obsidian for a 4E game. And Atari is very likely going to want to cash in on 4E as soon as possible.

 

Interesting, and morale raising!