MWC 2K3 2600 Homebrews... opinions?

[goatdan]

Hello everyone,

 

Looking at Warring Worms again today got me to thinking about what we are going to do for the upcoming Midwest Classic's homebrews. I'd like to hear some opinions on the matter. In 2002, the event featured two games that were already released in special event-exclusive versions. These two games were:

 

- Warring Worms: MWC Edition - A special intro and label for Billy Eno's Warring Worms. Also, special Wargear packaging for 20 cartridges. 60 total were produced.

- Mr Roboto: Paul Slocum's Berzerk musical hack, featuring the tune of Mr. Roboto during the game of Berzerk. 35 total were produced.

 

What I'm wondering is, did everyone like the fact that they could get these games outside of the event in a different form:

 

- Would it be better if the games were event-exclusive... you buy it here, or you have to buy it from someone else?

- Would it be better if the games were not event exclusive, but repackaged homebrew games?

- "Other."

 

I'd like to get some thoughts brewing on it. Also, how many are already planning on heading to Milwaukee on June 7 for MWC 2K3? I know I am

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

- Would it be better if the games were event-exclusive... you buy it here, or you have to buy it from someone else?

 

Uhm... if I can choose between buying it here and from someone else, what do you mean with "event-exclusive" then

 

- Would it be better if the games were not event exclusive, but repackaged homebrew games?

 

Certainly. I wouldn't even repacke them.

 

- "Other."

 

I think all this special / limited / exclusive three new levels plus three bits altered in the title screen and thereby artificially creating extra collectors items at all cost is complete nonsense.

 

I'd just try to have some games debuting at your show and then sell the very same game / same package unlimited afterwards. Maybe offer the first run 5$ cheaper for con buyers or let the programmer autograph the con boxes or something like that.

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[Happy_Dude]

Hi there!

 

- Would it be better if the games were event-exclusive... you buy it here, or you have to buy it from someone else?

 

Uhm... if I can choose between buying it here and from someone else, what do you mean with "event-exclusive" then

I think he means "you'll have to pay $50000 on eBay"

 

I think all this special / limited / exclusive three new levels plus three bits altered in the title screen and thereby artificially creating extra collectors items at all cost is complete nonsense.

 

I'd just try to have some games debuting at your show and then sell the very same game / same package unlimited afterwards. Maybe offer the first run 5$ cheaper for con buyers or let the programmer autograph the con boxes or something like that.

 

I agree!

All us non-american collectors can't always come to these events

and have to buy homebrews on AA or elsewhere on the net.

It would be nice to have some consistancy.

[Snider-man]

I'd just try to have some games debuting at your show and then sell the very same game / same package unlimited afterwards. Maybe offer the first run 5$ cheaper for con buyers or let the programmer autograph the con boxes or something like that.

 

Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! You see, one of my pet-peeves is the whole concept of "CGE exclusive" or "MWC exclusive" or "fill-in-the-blank" exclusive. I have no problem if someone wants to release their game at only one meeting/event and never release another. It gives the attendees something "special" that they got because they were willing to come to the show.

 

BUT, rarely are any of these games truly "exclusive" as you can later get these games outside of the event. They may have a different label/box/opening screen/etc., but they are not and never were "exclusive."

 

Now, having a "debut" at the show is something different and better. The event relase can be made public at the evnt first and sold on-line later. The event release can be $5 cheaper so attendees feel special. The event release can have a box that later releases don't have.

 

I word "exclusive" just needs to be banned, as it really isn't. And, if someone wants to release a true "exclusive," then good for them. I better, however, never see a "general release" later that same year.

 

<off my soapbox>

[Dan Iacovelli]

What I'm wondering is, did everyone like the fact that they could get these games outside of the event in a different form:

 

- Would it be better if the games were event-exclusive... you buy it here, or you have to buy it from someone else?

- Would it be better if the games were not event exclusive, but repackaged homebrew games?

- "Other."

 

I'd like to get some thoughts brewing on it.  Also, how many are already planning on heading to Milwaukee on June 7 for MWC 2K3?  I know I am

 

I think event-exclusive games are great, But there might be a problem

with that since Roms are becaoming available(especially, if your on the Stella mailing list which is how I manged to get Waring worms MWC edition) so it won't be exactly exclusive unless you tell the producer not to distrubute the roms.

it would also be good to have the game available after the event for a less price.

Homebrew games are hot, when I showed Adam's Fellowship of the rings homebrew at Fest2k2 it had a big pop(Trade and games also showed mr. Roboto MWC edition at the show that was good too espeacilly with the speakers enhanced chair)

As for me going to MWC 2k3: I plan on attending even though I might be out of job in a week or so.

Dan Iacovelli

[sku_u]

I don't think any homebrews should be event exclusive. Make the packaging special, or stamp "CGE", "Limited Edition, " etc. on the cart in a way that is not worthwhile to counterfeit. Personally, I don't really care what the packaging looks like if the game plays well, but I know I'm in the minority.

[goatdan]

I think he means "you'll have to pay $50000 on eBay"

[/quote=Happy_Dude]

 

Heh' date=' actually that was [i']exactly[/i] what I meant. I have always had at least a little of an issue with the games that come out only at certain events. Some of them I would've loved to have played, but couldn't because I couldn't get to the event and I am not willing to spend $50000 on ebay for it.

 

Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! You see' date=' one of my pet-peeves is the whole concept of "CGE exclusive" or "MWC exclusive" or "fill-in-the-blank" exclusive. I have no problem if someone wants to release their game at only one meeting/event and never release another. It gives the attendees something "special" that they got because they were willing to come to the show.[/quote']

 

Here was our thinking behind this last year, and I'm very curious to hear some more opinions on it -- we picked games that were specifically produced in other forms that had no special packaging and no special intro screen. We then added these screens to give attendees to the event a "special" item for attending the event. If we only sell straight up homebrew games, what incentive is there to attend the event / what memory of the event is there when you see that particular game. To the same extent, for most people who did not attend the Midwest Classic, these versions of the games will have little or no additional value.

 

None of our versions were "Exclusive" games, just special intros to the games.

 

The reasoning for me posting this in the first place is that all of these events have such different ways of running things, and I wanted to see if there is any favoritism toward one particular way. I'd like to hear some more opinions on the matter, but I'm feeling now like we did a pretty good thing.

 

Thanks everyone so far

[JCroniger]

I like it the way it is. If you want the unique intro screen, you can get it, if you just want to play they game, that's an option too. There's also the 3rd option of special packaging for collectors.

[Xot]

Seems like there's a lot of different opinions on the subject. My thoughts -

 

NO game should be event exclusive. I simply cannot get to CGE, and some people simply can't get to Philly Classic. That doesn't mean that people on the opposites sides of the world should be raped by eBay sellers and pay $200 for a game the day after it comes out. Yes, this hobby is about collecting games, but first and foremost it should be about PLAYING them.

 

 

As far as 'special editions,' I'm all for this. A different label, a different intro screen, whatever. Like the Philly Classic version of SCSIcide, which was the same game with a different label. As long as the game remains the same and is released elsewhere, I'm cool with that. I can think of no better souvenir of a gaming convention than an actual game!

[StanJr]

I'll tell you who likes EXCLUSIVES, people who have LOADS of money and who are primarily collectors. Poor people cannot gallavant about the country on whim just to buy an "exclusive" game for a 25 year old system (take it from this poor person). People who play games, just want to play games, they could care less if it is "exclusive." And since most of the major cons are held in the the US, "International" collectors are just plain screwed.

 

I think exclusive is dumb from the developers point of view. It says to me "I want to get my product to the smallest possible audience." Where is there ANY sense it that?

 

The only other person who stands to gain from this is the Event Promoter. Like someone else said, it's a lure. But I don't generally go to conventions to pick up "exclusive" homebrews, I go to hang out with people who enjoy the same hobby I do, and to see cool things I wouldn't be able to see. I don't see the "exclusives" as that big of a draw.

 

So I vote to abolish all exlcusives (unless its a special packaging or some such trivial nonsense).