We have seen a massive increase in games funded by crowd sourcing efforts, particularly via the Kickstarter web site. However, once that game is funded and completed, there's still the matter of distributing the game to the masses. Today, Electronic Arts announced that it would offer games that are funded by efforts such as Kickstarter a break in terms of getting their games out via their Origin download service.
In a press release today, EA said that crowd sourced funded games that are ready to be released can be distributed on Origin/ Those games won't have to pay the normal Origin distribution fee for the first 90 days of the game's launch. Game developers can find out more information about the program on Origin's web site. EA says that Origin currently has over 12 million registered users.
At least two Kickstarter-funded games sound like they will take up EA on this deal. One of them is Jane Jensen, who has successfully completed funding for her next adventure game, Moebius. She states in the press release, "Crowd-funded projects are like the 'people's choice awards' -- a way for gaming fans to express what they want to buy and play. It's great to see a big publisher like EA acknowledging that and opening up distribution opportunities for these games."
Brian Fargo, the head of inXile Entertainment, also said in today's EA press release that Wasteland 2, their own Kickstarter funded game, would be released on Origin. "I have had a long relationship with EA and it is great to see them recognize and support the crowd-funded games model. Having Origin waive their distribution fees for 90 days for fan funded games is a major economic bonus for small developers."
1 Comment - Add comment