He claims there’s ”still demand” but retail care little. It’s the ”limited” options driving publishers digital. PC games all digital by 2011.
”In the PC market at the moment the growth in digital is phenomenal,” Still told MCV.
”If PC games manage to get listed at retail, then they’re rarely getting any exposure because they’re appearing at the back of the store.”
“There is still demand, but retail is forcing PC games out. Digital is fantastic, and we’re very pleased with it. But it is not us as the developers and publishers driving products to digital – it is because the options for the PC at retail are so limited,” he explained.
“You just have to head into a games store and look for their PC titles, and you’ll see there is no focus, listings or promotions for them.”
“It is extra strange because there is a much better margin on PC games,” Still continued. “The industry should be embracing PC more enthusiastically.” So when will the PC market just give up on retail, who shun them so, and embrace this digital destiny?
“Q1 2011 is my estimate as to when PC games will be sold completely via digital. I have seen the predictions that by 2013 more than 50 per cent of our revenues will be earned digitally. But if the PC games market has to wait until 2013 then we are all in trouble.”
The problem now is that a ‘shovelware of digital platforms’ has occurred, meaning that publishers need to figure out which are worthwhile to sell on. Valve has had extremely amazing success with their Steam platform, with Stardock’s Impulse and Paradox’s GamersGate always nipping at their heels.
What’s your favourite digital store, videogamer? Will boxed PC go extinct by 2011?
