Scoop: Novint Technologies to License Games From Electronic Arts to Boost Support For Its Falcon 3-D Touch Controller

re: Scoop: Novint Technologies to License Games From Electronic Arts to Boost Support For Its Falcon 3-D Touch Controller

tomnovint — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:59:27 GMT

One comment to clarify on the story - though it is true that a port takes 3 months typically, we'll be doing many ports in parallel (for example, Novint has over 40 active projects going on right now in parallel)

Also, I wanted to point out N'Gai made an excellent point during our interview. He asked if Novint would be able to allow Falcon support for people who already owned a version of a game. I answered that we would sell patches. He responded that patches are not typically sold, and I responded that we put a lot of work into porting a game and changing the gameplay. He then asked if I meant it was an upgrade, which was an excellent question (N'Gai is a bright fellow - it was an insightful question).

Given that point he made, I expect we'll market the patches as "upgrades", using his suggested terminology. I think that will help with the perception of what it really is. We are not selling what typically is called a patch (fixing bugs, or adding maps, etc). Rather, we truly are selling an upgrade - the better analogy in the gaming biz is porting. It is not much different from porting a PS3 or XBox 360 game to the Wii, which people always have to pay for. We consider the Falcon a platform in that same sense (i.e. we will have our own library of titles). Given the fundamentally new gameplay the Falcon versions of games have, I think people will gladly pay for the upgrade. One of our tech staff commented today after reading this story that he was surprised how little we were selling the patches for. I doubt we'll have a single customer who purchases an upgrade and feels taken advantage of - on the contrary I think they will think they got a great deal. One other thing to keep in mind, is that we will be selling standalone versions of many of the games as well.

thx

Tomnovint

re: Scoop: Novint Technologies to License Games From Electronic Arts to Boost Support For Its Falcon 3-D Touch Controller

lilricky — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:49:57 GMT

I don't know Tom, gamers are usually pretty savvy when it comes to wordplay. I don't think by changing the term from patches to upgrade, will get gamers to pay extra. Let me tell you my way of thinking about this. I'm a gamer, and when I buy a peripheral for my pc, I expect it to work. I don't expect to have to pay in 2 installments just to use it with my games. I would suggest tacking on to the price of the controller. Just my 2 cents. And oh, btw this story has posted on digg.com and bluesnews.com, so alot of gamers are going to read this and most likely feel the same way.

re: Scoop: Novint Technologies to License Games From Electronic Arts to Boost Support For Its Falcon 3-D Touch Controller

tomnovint — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:13:28 GMT

lilricky, I understand your point, but I wasn't implying just using wordplay. "Upgrades" more accurately describes what we are doing, and I think using semantics already associated with a different situation (i.e. what people generally think of, when they think of a "patch") can create the wrong initial impression.

In my view, the important thing to realize is that we will be changing the fundamental gameplay in the games - it will be a whole new gaming experience and is a separte SKU in many cases. We also don't see the Falcon as a peripheral. We are working towards developing a large library of games and experiences that you will only be able to get if you have a Falcon, so we see it more akin to a platform than a peripheral. After you spend money on the Falcon, you will have access to a wide variety and depth of exclusive gaming experiences. We are looking to get hundreds of games out, including many AAA titles.

Specifically with respect to our selling upgrades, after people actually buy the upgrade or patch, irrespective of what one calls it, I doubt anyone will feel like they got a bad deal. On the contrary, I think people will see it as a great bargain for the value they receive, especially compared to the alternative of only being able to buy the Falcon SKU rather than even having an option of an upgrade. We get requests now for upgrades on current games where only a full version is available. I'd propose to postpone too much debate on this until the upgrades are out anyhow, and people can judge for themselves. As I said, I doubt a single customer will feel cheated. If people do have an issue with it, Novint will listen to our customers. thx, tomnovint.

re: Scoop: Novint Technologies to License Games From Electronic Arts to Boost Support For Its Falcon 3-D Touch Controller

SamF — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:58:47 GMT

I don't think the PC crowd will ever buy this device. PC gaming is already expensive as it is and they are less likely to add a device that changes so much of the experience.