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Penny Arcade Game Sees Record Breaking Numbers
Kotaku is reporting that the new Penny Arcade game is showing record breaking numbers, earning $330,000 in the first three days, surpassing previous record holder Worms HD. Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik was very pleased with the result saying: "Given that our price point was double the other games on that list I'm pretty f***ing happy. We fully expected some people to complain about the $20 price tag but we honestly felt like our game was worth it. Pricing something like this is tricky. Obviously you have to look at the length of time it will take someone to complete the game but you also need to factor in the quality of the experience."
The way the Kotaku article is worded - and it comes through on the summary is a bit confusing. Basically if the VGChartz esitmate is right they broke a record for earnings. They came in third for number of downloads- and that is what Gabe is talking about when he says "Given that our price point was double..." He means that he is happy they had the third most downloads since their game cost so much more than the others that came before it. He does not say anything about how much they made or make any comparisons regarding income to the other games. In a screencast they did for the game, he even jokes that due to the large initial cost of creating the game, they aren't making any money yet. You can see that video if you scroll to the bottom of this post.
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
There's a patch, or at least a new build, out already. Check out the greenhouse site again.
I know more than you drink.
The game was amazingly done, and it has many qualities that would bring me to expect it to do well. Mainly:
-It is for more platforms that most mainstream games (Mac/Windows/Linux/Xbox360).
-The animated cutscenes were brilliantly done, especially how they used an animated version of the character you created at the start.
-The script was hilarious.
-The popularity of penny-arcade lent to easy advertising.
-It was only $20
Important data left out of summary... This record is for XBox Live Arcade downloads. Has nothing to do with actual total sales.
This is only for XBox Live Arcade, not a total sales record against all the platforms the game is available on.
So download it for Windows/Mac/Linux and play it on your computer.
There is an option to zoom-in in the options menu. It's a bit annoying, since it cuts off part of the side of the screen, but it makes the text readable.
Especially the goatse on the carpet in the bedroom.
Actually from everything I've heard the key you get for activation works for any installation you do, I.E. if you want you can get the Windows version, get the activation key and then install the Mac and Linux versions using the same key. As such, I suspect your information as incorrect.
The folks at HotHead have stated, repeatedly, on their forums that the activation is a one-time-only when you first install the game. Yes, it reactivates for each machine you install it on, but you can install it on any number of machines that you want (not sure where you got the 3 limit from), using the same license. As others have stated, the same license key even applies across all platforms (Xbox excluded.)
After the initial activation, you never again need a check or even an internet connection to play. That's the kind of copy protection I am comfortable with, and that's why it didn't stop me from purchasing it.
Well, I looked up the stats, and I must say I'm shocked to find that two-thirds of Xbox 360s are connected to an HDTV. Still, that means they're pissing off 33% of their potential customers.
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It does do a one time activation thing, but given its download only thats hardly going to be inconvenience. Also, I do not believe there is any download number restrictions - one key will cover multiple installs on multiple platforms.
Quote from a dev:
We don't anticipate having to limit the number of redownloads but remember that each new machine or major hardware change may trigger a new key to be issued against your license. Our plan is to allow multiple installs and to be generous in that regard to cover murdered systems, planned upgrades, people wanting to play it on their PC and their Mac or even Linux box etc. Even if the limit is reached--a limit that we have not determined yet--we will be flexible in resetting or increasing the limit for paying customers. If you are registered, we will keep your license keys stored for you in your profile and you will be able to see the number of times that license has been used for various systems so there will be no surprises.
Original thread:
http://forum.playgreenhouse.com/jforum/posts/list/302.page
Not quite as bad as our old friend SecuROM methinks.
Or click the option marked "Skip creating an Account and Just Buy The Game" (my wording, but it's there in the first phase of buying the game online.
I think the main thing most people ran into was movement, right?
Here's a tip: Click and hold the button down. At least one reviewer never figured this out. I admit it took me awhile.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Before you buy the Xbox Live version, realize that the Windows/Linux/Mac licenses are portable between each other, but are incompatible with the Xbox Live license.
So if you buy it for Xbox Live, you won't be able to play it anywhere else. If you buy it anywhere else, you'll be able to play it anywhere but a console.
Might still be worth it to get it on Live, just saying...
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Thanks, but I'll get the XBL version. After all, my Xbox is jacked into a 40" LCD screen that does 1080p and a decent Philips home theater kit. My MacBook only does 1280x800, by comparison. :)
I write sci-fi for metalheads
The port from Windows to 360 was probably pretty trivial, and can be done with freely-available "professional" tools (XNA from MS)... so development would've been able to proceed in parallel without laying out any additional money or developer expertise.
- chrish