C-G's Virtual-Mate?

Visual Novel Community Archive, 2000-2009
#581
quote:
Originally posted by Ecchifan:
Considering that VM system isn't new, there may be information (sales numbers, number of incidents of piracy, etc.) from Japan and elsewhere that would support their belief. Obviously we're not privy to that information.
But as I said in other posts even if VM is not new, this is a different market, therefore VM is new to this market. So do they have something (this is perhaps a better question) that supports that the numbers from the Japanese market could be translated to this market?

I don't expect them to open their books or sources, but I'd still hope they could say if there is something (without perhaps saying what) that makes them think what worked in one market will work in another market especially given the vocal backlash which has seemed to surprise them and catch them by surprise (at least the home office who probably provided the numbers).

#582
quote:
Originally posted by Ecchifan:
Also, if you note that VM is also an anti-reselling provision, any sale that was lost b/c a user bought a used copy of previous G-C releases would be captured with the implemention of G-C (b/c no one would be willing to sell their copy of LMM and give away their VM account, and therefore the used market for VM linked titles is dead). So you can't look at VM as solely an anti-piracy protection.

This is a major concern for me. It is not only the lack of resales, thus lack of such extra exposure for the games in this market, but that whole limiting the number of computers idea. Presuming this works and G-Collections last for 100 more years, even if we all live 100 more years we will have changed computers more then 3 times meaning the games will eventually become useless long before that 100 years. Figure there are major updates or computer changes for many people every 5 to 6 years in about 15 to 18 years these games will no longer be usable give or take a year.

Not to mention the cons that might go on of people selling games that were already on three computers.

[This message has been edited by SCDawg (edited 10-24-2004).]

#583

That makes me even more enraged…

#584

Thanks for the comments on my faq, SCDawg, Italicus, and Ecchifan! Much appreciated.

I’ve gotten 40 views and 1 reply on Animetric and Megatokyo combined. So it seems people are reading my post, at least.

I really like the de-registration idea that perigee proposed. That would almost be as good as a 1-year-after-release-patch. Together, they would make V-mate much more palatable, I think.

[This message has been edited by Dark_Shiki (edited 10-24-2004).]

#585

So how are the responses so far?

#586

The one reply on the Megatokyo board said that pirates would crack V-mate anyway, and that it was only inconveniencing the actual buyers. I told him that I agree.

#587
quote:
Originally posted by Ecchifan:
G-C surely knows that they won't boost sales w/ the transition to VM, but obviously they feel that the loss in sales is worth the anti-piracy and anti-reselling protections.

This may or may not be true. Personally doubt it. I think they expect the antipiracy and antireselling features to boost sales. I mean, both of those things are nice, but you don't do them for their own sake. You only care about them as they translate into higher sales figures. The piracy and used-game-sale rates on unreleased games are zero. (Well, close to zero. Games have been leaking from duplication plants recently.)

If they cut prices by 20% they must be expecting to see a sharp sales increase to make up for it - more than the 20% loss in net income from the price cut.

I think this is an overly optimistic idea. Honestly there is just no way this is going to happen, but that must be the plan.

#588
quote:
Originally posted by Dark_Shiki:
It's Interlex. [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/tongue.gif[/img]

Check out my Virtual-Mate for Dummies! post. What do you guys think? Anything I should add?

How 'bout a link to VMate's page? There's not much information there but it might be worth adding. Unfortunately I don't remember the link offhand...

#589

Perhaps Japanese developers are getting annoyed by rampant piracy of English B-games in the U.S., and they told G-collections to something about it…or else. That would explain why G-collections made such a move even if it meant they would take a sales hit.

[This message has been edited by Dark_Shiki (edited 10-24-2004).]

#590

There is a link to V-mate’s page. I link to the ‘help’ section. Or do you mean Interlex’s page?

#591
quote:
Originally posted by Dark_Shiki:
The one reply on the Megatokyo board said that pirates would crack V-mate anyway, and that it was only inconveniencing the actual buyers. I told him that I agree.

Exactly the answer that many of the italians contacts i had gave me. [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

#592
quote:
Originally posted by Dark_Shiki:
Perhaps Japanese developers are getting annoyed by rampant piracy of English B-games in the U.S., and they told G-collections to something about it...or else. That would explain why G-collections made such a move even if it would mean they would take a sales hit.

So, a forced harakiri.... [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

#593
quote:
Originally posted by Nandemonai:
Honestly there is just no way this is going to happen, but that must be the plan.

A bad general always turn into a bad battle plan. Losing customers is not worth the price, for me. [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

#594
quote:
Originally posted by Nandemonai:
I think this is an overly optimistic idea. Honestly there is just no way this is going to happen, but that must be the plan.
I agree it is overly optimistic, or they know a lot more then they are letting on about sales, otherwise why would they say:We spent a lot of money, time and effort for this, and we will lower the price!!!, it is contradictory I never heard of anyone spending lots of money on a service then lowering a price of something tied to that service. Raising it yes by saying because of "a great new system to serve our customers better", but lowering?

Are they cocky, do they know something we do not or are they just optimistic as you guessed?

[This message has been edited by SCDawg (edited 10-24-2004).]

#595

For sure they must have realized now we are not like bulls, with a ring on the nose to place a rope…

#596
quote:
Originally posted by Dark_Shiki:
The one reply on the Megatokyo board said that pirates would crack V-mate anyway, and that it was only inconveniencing the actual buyers. I told him that I agree.
So those of us here are not the only ones that cynical about all of this, didn't think we were, but it's nice to hear others say it too.

[This message has been edited by SCDawg (edited 10-24-2004).]

#597

Wow, the Megatokyo thread is starting to take off. Two more replies in about 30 minutes (one neutral, one supporting V-mate). Check it out here: http://forums.megatokyo.com/index.php?s=3807763d3c0b97939f8db715bb01ddd1&showtopic=1 686915

I wouldn’t suggest joining in. We’ve already made our opinions known here. I’ll reply to help keep it going though.

[This message has been edited by Dark_Shiki (edited 10-24-2004).]

#598
quote:
Originally posted by Dark_Shiki:
I wouldn't suggest joining in. We've already made our opinions known here. I'll reply to help keep it going though.

Agreed, but it is still interesting to watch it and see what others say.
#599

Woooa! My thread on Forumeye reached quote 414 contacts.

http://www.forumeye.it/invision/index.php?s=d8c9423140916ee3230d513010ec8f3c&show topic=178913

Here is the link.

[This message has been edited by Italicus (edited 10-24-2004).]

#600
quote:

Mooo
I think I could live with V-mate providing they don't turn it into a advertising gimick -- have all sorts of ads or software to download before you can run your game.

Yeah yeah, and fire doesn't burn at all!!!!! For sure you still believe in Santa Claus, LOL!!!!! [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by Italicus (edited 10-24-2004).]