Mon, Mar 22, 2010 | 18:08 GMT
EA to put out PDLC before full releases, says Pachter
Visceral boss Nick Earl has apparently said to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter that the firm intends to release premium DLC as a demo before a game’s official launch.
Speaking in a report following an investor visit to the company, Pachter cited Battlefield 1943 as a tried-and-tested piece of the jigsaw.
“Mr. Earl also revealed a strategy to release premium downloadable content (PDLC) as a product for sale prior to the release of a packaged product,” said Pachter.
“The PDLC would be sold for $10 or $15 through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, and would essentially be a very long game demo, along the lines of 2009’s Battlefield 1943.
“A full-blown packaged game would follow shortly after the release of the PDLC, bearing a full retail price. Mr. Earl believes that the release of the PDLC first limits the risk of completing and marketing the full packaged version, and serves as a low-cost marketing tool.”
Speaking to GI, Pachter further added: “Think about Battlefield 1943 as the prototype, so a full (but short) game experience for a reasonable price. At the same time, an expanded version of the game will be under development for release as a packaged product.”
He said, however, he’s “not sure” if the PDLC that would act as the demo would be included in the game.
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11 
Posted in: EA, Hot, Trade
Tags: michael pachter, wedbush morgan
11 comments
#1
blackdreamhunk
22/03/10, 6:27 pm
this coming from a guy who thinks he knows a lot about gaming. I think he should shut up before someone really makes him look real bad cross the internet. If that has not already happened.
#2
DeSpiritusBellum
22/03/10, 6:53 pm
I used to think the music business was the worst run industry, with the most clueless CEOs on the planet, but I’m starting to gain a little faith in the games industry as well.
“Hey Gamer, wanna buy half of a game before release and still pay full price when we release the real one?” “OH SURE, WHERE DO I SIGN UP?! NOMNOMNOM*”
*Nomnomnom is the universal sound for munching on the balls of callous corporate douchebags.
#3
Phoenixblight
22/03/10, 7:00 pm
Well the cost of developing games is quite pricing they have to find a business model that works.
I actually think Heavy Rain would best fit this model.
#4
DeSpiritusBellum
22/03/10, 7:08 pm
@3 That’s such a weak excuse though. They’re completely in charge of how much a game should cost, so they have no one to blame for that but themselves. And there’s zero evidence to support that the priciest games are somehow also the best ones. People look for quality, not quantity in a game, that’s what the suits don’t really get. They buy everything from their Ferraris to their coke based on the pricetag.
It’s just bad leadership leading to (in my oppinion) bat shit insane ideas like this one.
#5
Phoenixblight
22/03/10, 7:13 pm
Maybe but it obviously works did you see how well Battlefield 1943 sold?
http://www.ea.com/news/battlefield-1943-sales
#6
Bulk Slash
22/03/10, 7:19 pm
On the surface this seems to be EA’s way of trying out a new game idea and seeing if it will sell before committing to making the full game. Given the enormous costs involved in making a game these days I can see why they would think this is a good way to make sure they don’t spend millions developing a flop. I’m not sure gamers will particularly welcome the idea, though.
I don’t really want to have to pay for demos. The whole point of them is to give a taster of the game so I can decide if I want to buy it. Will there be a demo of the demo perhaps?
#7
Freek
22/03/10, 7:23 pm
That’s such a total nonsensical example. BF 1943 is a remake in a hugely succesfull franchise , in a hugely popular genre, using an already existing engine.
It’s probably the least risky thing EA could possibly do.
#8
Phoenixblight
22/03/10, 7:24 pm
@6
Maybe they could put a demo of the ‘demo’
#9
DeSpiritusBellum
22/03/10, 7:31 pm
@5 Fair point. I just think it’ll be hard to keep the momentum going around your product when you release half of the game far in advance, and I don’t see how it can avoid invigorating the pirates. I think people will be far more intent on getting what’s basically a glorified demo without paying a dime, than they would with a finished game.
@6 I hear ya, but that’s why you pay professionals to quality test your games, or even employ focus groups. I keep getting the feeling that these CEOs have zero insight into their products beyond the spreadsheets, and you’re never going to be completely effective in managing a business that you fundamentally lack the understanding of.
#10
DJ Deathstar
22/03/10, 8:08 pm
Isn’t this pretty much what Dead Rising Case Zero is as its technically an xbla prequel and i read a story were Capcom said they weren’t going to release a demo as this would effectively be it
#11
endgame
22/03/10, 9:24 pm
and now we ended up with them asking money for demos. f**k me ppl r shit stupid.