Topic: World of Goo to Receive Retail Release in Europe

[Nick DiMola]

Unlike the North American version, which will be distributed through Nintendo's WiiWare service, World of Goo is set to be published by RTL Playtainment in Europe.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16230

 The recently published release list from Nintendo of Europe revealed that World of Goo, the upcoming WiiWare title in North America, will be launching later this year in Europe. The interesting tidbit of information revealed by the list was that the game is set to be published by RTL Playtainment, implying that it would be available at retail outlets as opposed to in digital form online.    

WiiWare-World contacted developer Ron Carmel for more information on the matter and was able to confirm that World of Goo will indeed be released in Europe as a retail title. According to Carmel, this version of World of Goo will include additional content to offset the higher price associated with a retail release. Carmel added that this content "won't be available as additional pay-to-play content on WiiWare, it's meant just for Europe."    

Carmel also revealed that World of Goo is "not going to be a budget title," although he does not "know if it will be 'full price' either."    

Though an exact reason was not given, it was hinted that the decision to release the game as a retail title in Europe was motivated by budget depletion. RTL Playtainment appears to funding the project until it reaches completion in exchange for the European publishing rights.

[Enner]

Hope that additional content is hefty because this sounds quite iffy.

[vudu]

I'm not sure what additional content could make this worthwhile.  Making this into a retail release will at least double the price, if not triple or quadruple it.  It sounds like Europeans are just getting a raw deal.

On the other hand, I just learned that Europe's getting Eternity's Child and America isn't (at least for now) so it's hard for me to feel too bad for you poor saps.

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah, this is definitely a raw deal, but if it was between this and the game not releasing anywhere due to their funds entirely depleting, I'll take this.

[KDR_11k]

Double could only happen if it was 1500 wii points and 30 Euros (lowest Wii games get released at), 40-50 is more likely, especially when they say it's not budget (40 counts as budget for publishers here...).

Meh, I don't think I'll buy it at that price.

[AV]

How much you wanna bet after the game bombs they will put it on Wiiware and lick their wounds. Certain games just won't work for retail release, this is one of them.

Just put some hooks for downloadable content.

This is one stupid ass move.

[Nick DiMola]

How much you wanna bet after the game bombs they will put it on Wiiware and lick their wounds. Certain games just won't work for retail release, this is one of them.

Just put some hooks for downloadable content.

This is one stupid ass move.

Well the motivation is clearly because they are running out of money. I think that 2D Boy doesn't have any other option. Given that the publisher RTL Playtainment has the publishing rights in Europe now, it is entirely up to them as to what the future of the game is in Europe.

[AV]

How much you wanna bet after the game bombs they will put it on Wiiware and lick their wounds. Certain games just won't work for retail release, this is one of them.

Just put some hooks for downloadable content.

This is one stupid ass move.

Well the motivation is clearly because they are running out of money. I think that 2D Boy doesn't have any other option. Given that the publisher RTL Playtainment has the publishing rights in Europe now, it is entirely up to them as to what the future of the game is in Europe.

WHAT?

Downloads are cheaper as they don't require plastic for boxes, paper for the packaging, printing of disks of plastic, and shipping costs. I am about 50/50 on if I would buy this Wiiware game but I am 100% sure I won't buy it at retail. I can't imagine how they couldn't work out a deal with whatever company to put it on Wiiware.

[Nick DiMola]

WiiWare doesn't require a publisher, as there is no logistics behind distribution. Companies who make WiiWare games pay Nintendo part of their earnings as an bill for publishing the game.

Regardless of whether or not you would buy it in retail form, it WILL sell at retail outlets, and RTL Playtainment must agree or else they wouldn't even consider footing the bill for the game's development. There is nothing crazy or unusual going on here, just a common Publisher/Developer relationship where the publisher agrees to pay for development and some royalties in exchange for the rights to distribute the title.

[animecyberrat]

This is one of the few games on Wii Ware that I really can't wait to play. It looks so friggin cool.

[Kairon]

Part of this is that also, with a retail release, publishers pay up front. I read something from 2DBoy in which they admit that it i9s nice to be paid upfront now since they're already so deep in debt and with savings wiped out.

WiiWare doesn't require a publisher, as there is no logistics behind distribution. Companies who make WiiWare games pay Nintendo part of their earnings as an bill for publishing the game.

Actually, WiiWar CAN have a publisher if you want. The WiiWare business model allows for that if, for example, Nintendo wanted to contract an outside developer to make Dr. Mario, they can. Wait a second, isn't that what happened?

[Nick DiMola]

Sure, but in most cases you aren't going to see that. Your example with Nintendo is more the exception than the rule.

[KDR_11k]

WiiWare doesn't require a publisher, as there is no logistics behind distribution.

That's a bit like saying iTunes doesn't require a label.