The Crazy World Of Football

Soccer Simulation Game Part II. Do they love or hate CD pirates?

Soccer simulation game has basically now become another form of media. Just like radio, television, Internet. Comparing to radio and television, which is one-to-many, simulation game is basically one-to-one (usually you play alone). The radio and Internet is free while television is at an affordable price range. This cannot be say for game software, with one CD costing close to a hundred Sin, so how can the simulation game developer increase its reach, especially to the emerging Asian markets like China, where the average income level is much lower? One unorthodox strategy - pirated CD channel.

In the mature markets like Europe and Japan, sales of the original copies of the software will have already given the developers a very handsome profit.
In business point of view, mass volume is the King. Whichever channel that allows you to make the most sales is your most important asset. In this case, the pirated CDs, with a huge reach to the China and rest of Asia market could be the biggest "sales" channel for the developers.
The question is, since the developers doesn't make anything from the pirated CDs, so how can pirated CDs be consider a sales channel for them?

As mentioned in Part I, while playing the game, we get to know a lot of good players not heard of in the real world. Also, we will have more admiration for clubs that constantly perform better than the one we manage. This utimately created an awareness for the players and the clubs in the real world. With the better awareness, thus better marketing and sales of merchandises for the club and player.
It will of course not be surprise for clubs to approach these game developers to award their players and clubs with better inbuild ratings and abilities. While possible but not necessary true, teams like, for example Manchester United who wants to expand their fan base in China will definitely be very willing to "buy" the top team slot in the game.
This then indirectly make the pirated CD a sales channel for the game developer.......no?

posted by PengSoon @ 8:14 AM