New Sisyphus made a nifty observation regarding Valve Software’s Steam, a software distribution client and network, namely: skipping the brick n’ mortar retail markets is the only way to go for low-volume game genres (such as independent and role playing games). The Steam network isn’t the only avenue available to game makers, but it certainly is one of the most robust and easiest to use. By skipping traditional game publishers and the overhead they incur, indie game developers can see far higher returns on their efforts at far lower sales volumes, thus allowing them to experiment with far greater leeway. This model resembles the one that many musical acts are starting to realize makes sense: if you rely upon digital distribution of your wares, you aren’t beholden to some vast benefactor who will demand his pound of flesh, and more.
The wave of the future, baby.
