We’ve seen a huge upswing in both those making games and selling them. Marketers in this area are also experiencing a boom. But is the game distribution scene getting too crowded? That may be exactly what is happening in a few areas so here is the case for it.
More Game Distribution Options than Ever
In one sense there is technically unlimited space with digital distribution. You can get them in bundles, on key sites and through more traditional distribution. There are so many different ways to get games now that we are deluged with new ones every day.
Good Competition, Limited Resources
Right now with the thirst for game distribution among developing countries has expanded the market. It still has quite a bit of room for growth. But at the rate it’s growing we could some reach a point where supply outstrips demand. We’ve already reached it with some games anyway.
What Crowded Game Distribution Means
For developers it means bad news because we’re going to reach a point in which only mid to large sized developers will be able to do much. When the supply goes up by such a large amount smaller names can’t do anything.
For those buying you can get many more offers. Smaller sites will even give you free games for promotion, like the Microids Club program.
The Melting Point of the Game Distribution Market
As it is right now and as it will be for a while this isn’t a problem. However when any market gets crowded there comes what we’re going to call a “melting point”.
When it’s so crowded you can only get attention through connections those with connections will stop competing so hard. They will have effectively locked the market. It’s why we have such poor quality on EA games like Madden where they just update the roster and add one mechanic. It’s why when an MMO dominates they stop trying so hard until there is a competitor.
The Big Names Contribute
The Steam picture at the top is because just within that distribution channel there is already a hierarchy. Some games have more to throw at promotion and get larger billing on the service. It’s a small example of how things are going. Right now though there is still plenty of demand all over.
The Melting Point in Game Distribution Hurts Us All
So we’ve seen it before and are seeing it today. It’s clear that if this happens we’ll see yet another marked downturn in the quality of games. So how do we solve it? There is no clear way to except by buying better games, which isn’t going to happen.
So what is the point of this article? Just to make you aware of the direction things are going even in the indie sector. It’s up to you how to react to it.
