Can someone please give me a definitive answer as to what the difference is between distributing a game and publishing a game? I've casually collected Nintendo published games for a very long time but these distribution deals are throwing me off. I see Nintendo are getting very close with Capcom in Europe. They've distributed Ghost Trick , SSIV3DS etc.

Anyone know?

It depends on the nature of the agreement. In this case Nintendo of Europe is, quite literally, DISTRIBUTING the game. They are making sure the retail channel has the game and that people are aware of it.


It would seem that Bamco is still handling the other duties of a publisher, such as localization seeking ratings (from PEGI) and managing the legal requirements that come with publishing a game.


At its most basic level, the publisher is still the holder of the intellectual property rights in the region. The distributor is more of an investor.

Thanks. I noticed on my Ghost Trick box that it comes from the same plant in Germany that Nintendo games come from and it's actually printed with "Distributed by Nintendo" so I guess it's Nintendo's job to actually print the games too.

I believe they only assemble (i.e. label and package) them in Germany, the actual chips are manufactured in China.