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Bioware to Open Online Store for Digital Content

Posted by Zonk on from the goblins-and-orcs-now-available-for-download dept.

GimpyMcJackass writes "Bioware will be opening a new store for digital content starting November 10. Currently slated for sale will be a few modules for Neverwinter Nights, at fairly reasonable prices ($5 - $8 USD). Nice addition to the business model. Gamespot also has an interview with the usual Bioware suspects about it."

4 of 29 comments (clear)

  1. This is a good idea by jbellis · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I would definitely pay that kind of money for community-created mods if I knew it had gone through some kind of BioWare QA process. Sifting through thousands (?) of mods on fan sites just isn't worth the time.

  2. You get what you pay for... by JorDan+Clock · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I personally wouldn't pay for this, but I do see where they are coming from. If they put a price on it, there's a huge amount of incentive to make a much better quality addition to their game.

    Sure, one could go get a free module from someone else, but who's to say that's necesarily going to be all that great?

    Yes, I know just because you pay for something it's not necesarily going to be good, but well, I have faith in Bioware. Their products have always entertained me (between bugs...) and I trust they will be sure to justitify the price.

    One has to wonder, what kind of protection will they be using to prevent these modules from being simply moved from one computer to another?

  3. First Valve, now Bioware by Goosey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The online distribution revolution is proceeding. I for one will not miss the days of brick and mortar stores having all the control. They were leeches on the gaming industry, a superfluous middle man that offered nothing and contributed nothing to the game you are enjoying.

    I can only hope that this trend continues to the point that established studio's are able to break free from the publisher's leeching grasp. Publishers are still needed to fund start-ups, but for a company that is established and coming up with a smash sequel they are just another drain on the people who are making the game!

    Of course I realize that this will all take a long time. No sane company, even if it had the biggest game of the year, would totally abandone selling through retail outlets...

    Yet..

    --
    --- "End Of Line" - MCP
  4. Internet connecivity... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I was looking forward to Bioware "digital distribution" model, till I found out it requires internet connectivity every time you play the module.

    Apparently they validate your authorization at runtime, instead of once at purchase.

    I understand the need to protect their "IP", but I really think a scheme using your CD key to encrypt your copy of the module, such that it only has to authorize once would of worked better.

    David (aka zzqzzq_zzq on the boards)