XSEED (Ken Berry) Interview with RPG Gamer

[TG_Judgement]

We won't try an "alternative distribution model" when said model could put us out of business and cost us our jobs.

Isn't calling retail "alternative distribution model" an oxymoron? Cause I could've sworn DD was created as an alternative to it.>>

[AuronFF]

It's a joke.
Yeah.. the "alternative distribution model" that was what put food on your table prior, and DD is the alternative to that.
Without that you wouldn't be where you are today, or the people that supported it.
Whatever, after The Last Story and Ys IV Vita (if you guys even decide to release a physical copy of it) I'm done with XSEED.

[NeoAthanasius]

It's a joke.
Yeah.. the "alternative distribution model" that was what put food on your table prior, and DD is the alternative to that.
Without that you wouldn't be where you are today, or the people that supported it.
Whatever, after The Last Story and Ys IV Vita (if you guys even decide to release a physical copy of it) I'm done with XSEED.

Tom wasn't referring to physical retail releases as "alternative distribution models"? He was responding to someone asking about other distribution models outside of retail or DD (like hybrid, or direct sales models). You are angry about something that Tom didn't even say.

[TG_Judgement]

You're right,even I didn't realise it.Still begs the question though:

What other "Alternative distribution model"?

[NeoAthanasius]

We won't try an "alternative distribution model" when said model could put us out of business and cost us our jobs.

Plain and simple, we like having a roof over our heads and food on our tables.

If an alternative business model existed that had a real shot at succeeding, we would try it. But as of yet, we have not found one.

-Tom

One person was suggesting that they release their games digitally as well as sell physical copies that you could buy directly from Xseed. Tom seemed to think that this would be too difficult for the benefits it would offer. Who knows, maybe once the 3DS and Vita are more firmly entrenched as consoles we can see more physical releases. I love buying physical copies of games. However left with no good Japanese games to play, I would be a sad man.

[TG_Judgement]

Ah.A hybrid model.right.

I can see why Tom can't do it.Running any kind of physical operation is really not cheap (printing,packaging,shipping). Not sure how printing works,but I suspect that whatever factories print them only do 'em in bulk.I could see initial orders justify it,but after that...hmmmm...

Edit:quote from the guy running that class heroes kickstarter that confirms my suspicion:

It completely matters. On such small runs, the costs go up as the qty goes down. So making 5000 costs more than making 7000 on a per unit basis. That's why we set the minimum at a reasonable 7000 (actually high 6000's but we're rounding). It was the tipping point.

(http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=464)

[NeoAthanasius]

Yeah I'm not knowledgeable about that myself. But what Victor Ireland is saying certainly seems like it would be true. Its like paying more to buy a single beer or getting a six pack for less.

[SIN]

Yeah I'm not knowledgeable about that myself. But what Victor Ireland is saying certainly seems like it would be true. Its like paying more to buy a single beer or getting a six pack for less.

Which is almost the case, but you are saving more getting a pack at the liquor store than a couple at a bar.