Super Rare Games' latest thing has touched a few nerves; physical-only games available once only, through them in a one month pre-order. Their justification seems to hang on the idea that the expected profits would allow the devs to explore and flesh out game ideas that they normally wouldn't be able to. The backlash is coming back thick and fast though, claiming that they're cashing in on folks' fear of missing out, that it's artificially creating demand and running up against the ideals of preservation.
Personal opinion: I am in the 'this sucks' camp. I like the approach of physical games as a long-life alternative, often shipped long after a digital release, but crucially when the games are proven quantities and are then made available with post-release tweaks and patches in a definitive version that can extend the game's life beyond that of a digital marketplace. I somewhat appreciate the idea of allowing devs to explore ideas they couldn't normally, but that should not be at the expense of artificially limiting the exposure it will ever get and executing a cash-grab by bleeding the 'must own everything' collectors dry.
.... and just as I was writing this, I've also just caught a comment explaining that Devolver and Special Reserve have signed a similar "never digital" deal with Demon Throttle. From a couple of companies I actually held in high regard, this one's even more disappointing.
Sigh.
Personal opinion: I am in the 'this sucks' camp. I like the approach of physical games as a long-life alternative, often shipped long after a digital release, but crucially when the games are proven quantities and are then made available with post-release tweaks and patches in a definitive version that can extend the game's life beyond that of a digital marketplace. I somewhat appreciate the idea of allowing devs to explore ideas they couldn't normally, but that should not be at the expense of artificially limiting the exposure it will ever get and executing a cash-grab by bleeding the 'must own everything' collectors dry.
.... and just as I was writing this, I've also just caught a comment explaining that Devolver and Special Reserve have signed a similar "never digital" deal with Demon Throttle. From a couple of companies I actually held in high regard, this one's even more disappointing.
Sigh.
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