IG holding game back?

[MitchDev]

IF... (and that's a big if) stores have it in stock but are holding it back on IG's command, then I hope a few copies leak out and it gets pirated to high heaven!

This sort of stupid "It's ready, but let's hold it back for the marketing weasels!"- grap needs to be stopped and only the fan-base and buying public can stop it...

But, seeing as how the target (and it looks even less and less like there'll be an earlier than Feb 25 release) is over 1 week away yet, I doubt that most retailers (who seem to have less and less space in their store every day) would even allow MoO3 to sit there wasting space for all this time...Store Room space is just as valuable as shelf space these days....

Hmmm...gotta buddy up with some of the lower software stores to get into their back rooms and get me a copy...

[Grumbold]

Originally posted by MitchDev
IF... (and that's a big if) stores have it in stock but are holding it back on IG's command, then I hope a few copies leak out and it gets pirated to high heaven!

I can't tell you what I think of you for making that comment because its not permitted on Apolyton. Needless to say a microbe rates higher in my esteem.

[QwertyX]

Actually individual stores probably don't have any. Just the massive distribution warehouses with lots of storage. Items can go from warehouse retail outlet in a day or two. At least thats the case with Wal-MArt

[MitchDev]

Exactly, QwertyX (easy to type except the jump to the X),

that's another reason why I doubt the "it's in the stores, just not on the shelves" concept...

Grumbold, I don't really care where I rate in your opinion. You mean nothing to me, so your view of me is meaningless...

[Main_Brain]

Its easier on Non-Us Keyboard ;=)
qwert yx
also dont forget the huge Profit one Distributer could make by selling it before the others...

[MitchDev]

Yeah, on the IGMoo3 boards, someone mentioned that a store that sells it early could get fined (which sounds lijke a load of bull anyway), but if true, could eat into the early sales profit of a quick release.//

Not familiar with non-us keyboards (well, I've seen a few German ones actually), but it sounds like the xy are adjacent on them...

[Sarxis]

This is GREAT! Because if the (secret awesome retailer) store near me has it, they will say 'Fluff Off' to withholding games, and just put it out, increasing their revenue, making many gamers happy, and counteracting the effects of recession EVERYWHERE!!

[Gooberman32]

So essentialy we are waiting because IG marketing wants to "space out" their releases, if its not one thing delaying the game its another anyway i feel this speculation is becoming irrelevant, the game is out in less than two weeks.

[Grumbold]

It would be a breach of contract to sell the games before release date. Whether the publisher did something about it would be for them to decide. Sales staff selling early to their mates are certainly risking disciplinary action.

[Spaced Cowboy]

Somebody is going to need to explain the marking thing to me. I'm not sure that I quite understand that angle.

If the game is released before the marketing, and then the marketing comes later...are you saying that less games will be sold in total?

IMO, the only way that could happen is if the game is crap and gets some horrible reviews and is slammed in forums everywhere.

No marketing will help sales at thaat point.

[Sarxis]

Originally posted by Grumbold
It would be a breach of contract to sell the games before release date. Whether the publisher did something about it would be for them to decide. Sales staff selling early to their mates are certainly risking disciplinary action.

Obviously, none of the patrons are going to say anything, since they are getting stuff early, and the seller is making a killing too.

So its win/win for us.

[Grumbold]

Publicity is just one facet of production and marketing. If you arrange for the production of 50,000 CD's over 4 weeks in February and sign a contract that gets you the best deal, why break or renegotiate that contract to pay three times as much to start earlier and produce them faster just to get a 2 week advantage? Only reason to do so would be if the beancounters could demonstrate that the faster release would generate more than enough sales to offset the whole of the added cost.

We like to act impatient, but few of us would be prepared to pay $10 more to secure a 2 week advance in the release. A lot more of the public who are not so tightly focussed on this one title would be put off by the added cost. I strongly considered not buying Simcity 4 when it hit the shelves because I noticed it was £5 more expensive than usual and the only way to combat the trend is to refuse to buy.

Additionally, In my (admittedly dated) experience, often shops reorder supplies based on the speed and number of units shipped in the first week or 2. If MOO3 launches in advance of its publicity and had mediocre sales then it would be stuck for weeks unable to sell at a higher rate because the shops allocate it a quantity and shelf space based on that limp early performance. If it ships as its advertising peaks then shops anticipate higher sales, order more, give it more shelf space at eye height and consequently sell more, making it yet more of a success. Few people impulse buy a game tucked end-on in the corner of the bottom shelf.

[TheMaestro]

Originally posted by Grumbold
I strongly considered not buying Simcity 4 when it hit the shelves because I noticed it was £5 more expensive than usual and the only way to combat the trend is to refuse to buy.

I'm not sure if it's just here or anywhere else, but C&C Generals was just released, and at Best Buy it is 39.99, same with Sim City 4 -- unless it is just the local store running its own deals. (USD I mean)

MOOIII will be here, all I ever said is they aren't gaining money...which since they aren't selling games, they aren't gaining money.

I think IG wants the game out ASAP though, but they do publish a ton of games...and tied together with Gal Civ (which IG is also publishing I think?) They kinda have this market to themselves --

[Mojai]

Originally posted by TheMaestro
I think IG wants the game out ASAP though, but they do publish a ton of games...and tied together with Gal Civ (which IG is also publishing I think?) They kinda have this market to themselves --

IG is the distributer for GalCiv, Strategy First is the publisher.

[TheMaestro]

IG + Strategy First is prolly a pretty darn good combo...Strat First has been making some great war/strategy games.