With the release of high end retail quality games on eShop like Dillon's Rolling Western or Pushmo I am beginning to wonder if the release of the games on the eShop is actually riskier then a full blown retail game. When I think WiiWare or eShop software I think a three hour game a small game that is only worth 6$-10$. A game I can download to play a few hours when I don't have a main retail game. I understand the major advantage to releasing new IP on download you don't have to waste money on advertising or distribution/manufacturing you get the entire income of the game.
The idea being an eShop title is a low risk good way to test the waters before investing a full blown retail title. However if the game your releasing offers 20 hours of game play like I have heard Dillon's Rolling Western does. The game is on par with retail games is it really a low risk good environment to test the waters?
Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to recall the last financial report stating Nintendo only made 11-million USD on eShop (3DS) that quarter. That is terrible considering the amount of Virtual Console software available and the amount of software. Lets say you develop a 4-million dollar game is it less risky to release a copy on eShop with a far smaller user base at 9.99$ where you potentially will not break even even if the game is a smashing success. Or would you rather release the game at retail making 30% of 39.99$ but the game is on all the store shelves with far greater sales potential? I assume Dillon's Rolling Western had a budget larger then a million and the eShop seems to be a lot riskier for a new IP then to release the game full retail.
What's your take is eShop low or high risk if you are going to launch a title that has the same quality level and budget as a full retail? Assuming you are a developer capable of getting your game to retail in the first place. What is riskier?
-JC7
"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer
