Game Publishers Opinion on MediaKiosk technology
The future of the technology predicted by experts
Publishers will also welcome the opportunity to get their full range of PC titles listed (stock-risk free) in a large number of stores - there are significant incremental revenue upsides here for them. I have personally spoken with most of the key publishers, including EA, THQ, Konami, Warner Bros, Capcom and Take 2 and all have said that they will be happy and interested to continue further discussions / negotiations (looking at commercial terms, range, pricing etc).
I am confident that once they finalise commercial terms that they will be happy to offer content to the MediaKiosk machines. Andy Wood, for example, of Take 2 sees an opportunity of releasing catalogue titles for the start and testing the new distribution system. If everything works well and the terms of collaboration are clear Take 2 might follow with new releases. Annie Sullivan of THQ also likes the idea of the new distribution system though she needs several questions to be answered first: the business model for game publishers and protection system. Key people from Electronic Arts, Capcom, THQ, Activision, and Ubisoft say that they are eager to discuss new opportunities MediaKiosk provides.
Virtually all of these companies have already set up business with digital download companies (the likes of Steam and Metaboli) and have seen the huge revenue upside from this channel. They will not be afraid of the new channel offered by MediaKiosk as they will see it as an extension of the principals established previously with the digital download companies.
I really look forward to seeing this concept rolling out soon.
Chris Stanton-Jones
(Owner of Catapult Business Solutions and former VP at Sony Computer Entertainment)
