Mail Archives: djgpp/1997/01/19/14:34:20
Oliver Stiller <os AT netcomuk DOT co DOT uk> wrote:
Thanks for the reply Oliver,
>DOS could be a minus when talking to publishers :-(
We had to compromise. Because this was our first product
we didn't want to be too ambitious. We couldn't really
afford the investment (time) in developing a Windows(95)
product.
However, we realised it was important that the game ran
seamlessly under Windows. To this end we chose to go with DJGPP.
My personal opinion is that a DOS DPMI + VESA + Soundblaster product
is likely to deliver a more stable product to a wider audience.
I accept that in a years time this may be very different.
(Or if you want to use accelerated graphic functions, or special input
devices, or head-head internet play etc etc...)
If we get the chance to do a second product we will develop for DOS
*and* Windows95.
>Deals are very different depending on the amount of advance,
>the product quality etc. Expect anything between 5% and 20%
>of the retail price. The last figure is realistic for registered
>shareware copies only but not for CDs sold via stores.
Why only 20% registered shareware? Does this take into account overheads
such as duplication, support etc? It still seems very low.
We were considering direct shareware @£15, with say profit £10. Is this
unrealistic in practice?
>> Can we expect an advance?
>Yes, in form of financial support to finish the product but only
>if the product is very good. If this is your first product and
>it's a educational game and it's of "average" quality you should
>not expect anything in the range of an appealing hourly rate for
>the support.
The product is a game first and educational second. We wanted to create
an educational game that was more than just a "talking book". Something
that would appeal to children and adults (parents).
The "average" rating was for reference only. I personally think the game is
good (or could be when finished)!
>Unfortunately "average" products don't sell average but bad.
>It's hard to put that into sales figures. Is it for the UK
>market only ? For Europe ? US ?
Naturally, we want to get as big an audience as possible. We would
prefer a publisher that could target all (major) markets.
>If it's an educational product expect less sales than for an
>entertainment game. Educational CDs sell rarely more than
>10.000 copies in Germany and I don't know much about the UK
>market.
What experience do you or others have of direct shareware publishing.
What sort of sales can be achieved this way?
Anyone had experience of Axxis Corporation's Altus Software Marketing Service
or similar setups. Do these work well?
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