What’s the best way to buy a game, physical or digital? According to Christina Seelye, CEO of Maximum Entertainment, the two can help each other equally.
Speaking to Game Developer at Gamescom, he explained that retail versions of a game can help drive more attention to it, especially online. Amazon and in-person stores like GameStop go a long way, and that attention can be extended to digital stores like Steam and PlayStation Network.
Seelye noted that Maximum itself has proven this “over and over again… there is no cannibalization.” Citing the physical collection of Five Nights at Freddy's games, he said it has helped digital sales of those individual games “grow and grow.”
Physical games? What are they for?
Despite the ease of purchasing games digitally, Seelye believes that people who see a game in a store remain a “different audience” worth wooing. Discs and cartridges can also give publishers a chance to engage that audience in a different, more tactile way.
Ultimately, there's a reason why deluxe editions remain so popular. The collectible aspect works, as it provides “little special moments” for a game's community that fuel interest in a title.
That said, Seelye acknowledged that Maximum is in a position that other publishers might not be in. Even with potential partners like Limited Run, a physical release isn’t always feasible, and can be further complicated by a game’s genre, platforms, etc.
Even so, physical games will remain a vital part of the industry. Much of this will be driven by opportunity, and it is suggested that capable publishers would be smart to stick to the tried-and-true format.
“You’re still making money,” Seelye assured. “Not at the same margin as selling digitally, but you’re still making money, plus all these other benefits.”