Physical Game?

[Mellow Phonix]

Hi, I've been trying to develop a game I've been wanting to make for a little while now, but I wanted to ask if there is a way to make the game I make into a physical copy? This sounds really simple, I just don't know if it is at all possible. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Andar]

Yes, but it depends on what exactly you want.


The easiest way is to burn the installer on a CD and ship it to anyone who emails you.


All other methods require more money upfront - CD fabrication (not burning) needs a minimum production of usually 5000 pieces, and has minimum costs of 500$ to 1000$ depending on where you live and who you order your CDs from.


Printing a box is similiar and so on.


So yes, it can be done - most people never bother to do that as you would rarely sell enough to get those costs back.

 

[Celianna]

It sounds like a nice idea, to see your game out at a store with box art and everything.


The reality is, no game made on RPG Maker will become physical (not to say that it can't, just that people don't do this). It's all digital, and there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

I'd sugest that you release your game digitally, as it's more convinient and a lot cheaper.

If you still want to release it physically, it needs a lot of work (package design, creating the ISO files, etc), not to mention that CD/DVDS may be defective (I had dozens of discs failing to finish burning even on Nero Burning ROM).

I can provide some help (as I was "burning" discs since the same age I started using computers) if you are interested.

 

[Ndrfie]

Mellow may intend to make physical copies but that doesn't mean the intention is to see it distributed in stores specifically. If you produced them on an as ordered basis, increasing the price to cover costs, etc. It could be very manageable cost wise. Perhaps they intend to create this as an item to distribute to kickstarter backers or something similar, or to sell in a store owned by friends. It may be impractical for large scale distribution, but that doesn't make it unreasonable.

 

[Sarlecc]

Also the actual demand for physical pc game copies has gone down to nearly nothing. I am assuming it's because company's want to save as much as they can so by going digital they don't have to buy disks or printed boxes. (Which is one of the things I don't like too much cause I don't have great internet for getting lots of digital games).

A few physical copies wouldn't be too difficult; however the more you want to produce the more unfeasible/or costly it becomes.

So like Andar said it really depends on what you want.

 

[Kyuukon]

Maybe it's worth it for a limited edition of the game. In that case I can see it being profitable and good looking

 

[Seriel]

It would be a good idea to send a neatly packaged special Physical version to all the people who helped out.

Makes the whole "free copy of the game for helping" thing seems much more personal

 

[Ralpf]

Not to mention if you have a local comic book shop or the like or if you want to sell them at a fair/festival. I personally wouldn't try it, but there are places you could make some money with physical copies that digital copies wouldn't be a viable option.

Though the  professionally done bulk order is likely a no-go economically. It would have to be done by hand to be feasible, I think.

 

[Mellow Phonix]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I do have some local comic stores and stuff that I can probably get some publicity from, and having copies of the game and also maybe a demo to try would be pretty awesome.

 

[Bex]

The Book of Legends RPG Maker Game was Physical in a Müller Store in my City for about 19.95€.

(A little overpriced in my Opinion^^)

 

[Wavelength]

As far as I know a few people have done this with their RPG Maker games, and mailed the game (on a physical CD in a box) to customers.

You might get better feedback in the Commercial Game Discussion subforum, though.  This has nothing to do with VX Ace Support.

 

[Mellow Phonix]

As far as I know a few people have done this with their RPG Maker games, and mailed the game (on a physical CD in a box) to customers.

You might get better feedback in the Commercial Game Discussion subforum, though.  This has nothing to do with VX Ace Support.

Sorry about that, I originally wanted to know how it could be done in the software. Like how to export it to a CD or something.

 

[Wavelength]

Gotcha. There's no easy way to make a true physical copy with RPG Maker - Andar pretty much explained it.

I do think it would be an incredibly neat feature for future Malers, but also probably super-complex from a technical standpoint and therefore not in the cards.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

Compress the game or make an installer, then put the output into a CD

 

[Rikifive]

Q - Physical copy of a game made in RPG maker?

A - Possible, why not.

Well known RPG Maker game as a physical copy available in Poland.

Spoiler

 

[Sharm]

I've moved this thread to Commercial RPG Maker Discussion. Please be sure to post your threads in the correct forum next time. Thank you.


@Wavelength: Next time you see a thread in the wrong place could you report it please?

 

[Sketch XII]

Ignore those telling you it's a bad idea.

As long as there's also a downloadable version available, there's nothing wrong with having physical copies available as well.

Along with that though, it would also be a good idea to include bonus material with the physical copies, like a booklet or an OST CD included with it to give people more reason to want it.

If your game is really good, physical copies can bring in a pretty good profit because of them being limited if you do things right.

Of course, doing things wrong by not taking enough consideration into the price of making the physical copies or over-ordering and whatnot can result in a big loss too.