Paul Hyman has written a column over at the Hollywood Reporter discussing the unorthodox distribution NP Cube plans to use for Dark and Light. In an attempt to avoid high manufacture and distribution costs (which, as we all know, result in higher retail costs) up front, NP Cube is looking at using peer-to-peer networking as an initial means of distribution:
According to Laurent Paret, co-founder and vp of business development at NP Cube, the developer of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) will use a unique three-step distribution method that initially eschews retailers and focuses instead on digital distribution.
The first step will allow gamers to go to a peer-to-peer site -- - similar to Kazaa or the earlier version of Napster -- - and download "Dark And Light" for free. After a trial period, gamers will have the option to pay a monthly fee to continue playing. NP Cube is currently negotiating with three peer-to-peer sites.
After a few months of P2P, NP Cube plans on mail order sales, to be followed by a special edition retail release some months later.
Certainly a novel idea, and one that, if it proves functional, may well benefit the player community in the form of lower costs. With Arena offering full tilt free play of Guild Wars during E3 and NP Cube choosing to self-publish, it's obvious that the new kids in town are serious about shaking up the MMORPG world. Visit the Dark and Light website by clicking here.
