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Pants? Yeah that's right Pants. But bare in mind it is not just pants ohh no, there is lots lots more. Now before the chants of "Crazy" and "What in the blue hell is this?" start just hear me out. What I am going on about is merchandise that is sold to do with computer games of some sort.
The biggest one that I can think off is Nintendo's Pokemon but I am sure that the cartoon came first and the game was another idea from the marketing team so I guess all the merchandise is for the cartoon just so happens that the game also gets a lot of attention and merchandise. Maybe it could be argued that the game is a form of merchandise from the cartoon series. I for one dislike pokemon, it is the Microsoft of kids tv, it is a poorly created cartoon (for today's standards) and the idea behind "so much" merchandise aimed at children is just ridiculous. But that enough of that, lets move away and concentrate more on the games and the future of games (that's what the topic is for) so what about merchandise with games? Is it good?
Is there a market for it? Should it be improved?
One of my first thoughts was to do with the music industry. The two industries (music and gaming) often get compared in different ways. I though of some of the merchandise that is available to do with music and bands, ranging from things from t-shirts to mugs and music books. So what about to do with games I here you ask? Well as far as I know the majority of games don't have any extra merchandise released after or when a game is released. There are a few like MGS dog tags or toy figures but they aren't what the people want.
I for one would like to see more merchandise like T-Shirts, mugs, posters, books of early screen designs leading up to some final versions. One reason I think that we don't see a lot of it is money. It is a risk making things if you are unsure as to whether people will buy it. All the merchandise I have seen is usually limited addition making it that little bit more appealing to buyers. But bare in mind that merchandise would also bring in extra cash to the developers, it may be just kept as profit or could be used on future products which would be good news for us.
Now before I go on I would like to get one thing straight. I wouldn't like to see developers let the standard of their games slip as the concentrate on merchandise as well. Make the merchandise after the game, in this day and age games are expected to be of a high standard, fail to meet these standards and the chances are it will sell very little copies and your merchandise will not sell to much either. If the quality of the game is at risk because of issues with the merchandise (or any other off the side project) then forget about it and concentrate fully on the game.
Right well back to the main idea. Should merchandise be seen more in the gaming industry? For those who wondered about the pants issue from before (and have read this far) when I was young I remember having a pair of Super Mario pants, Sad I know but in their day they kicked major butt. A marketing idea to attract more money to the company (the whole idea of merchandising) and also giving customers those extra choices.
Another downside could be that the merchandise is taken too far (pokemon) were ridiculous items are released in an attempt to blatantly rip people off with pointless items. Which could annoy people and prevent them from buying future merchandise products. Also developers could use money that would be better spent on games on merchandise instead which is not a good thing.
I have noticed card board cut outs which are good and no doubt sell well, books related to game have also been released but again only in small numbers for a few games. Is there a whole market that is waiting to be filled with gaming related merchandise?
Merchandise has a lot of good points for companies, t-shirts, key rings and most products will no doubt have a name or logo which will also advertise the products to others (if someone sees a gamecube t-shirt or PS2 t-shirt the chances are they will take notice of it) No sure many seen my Mario pants but I'm sure the idea behind them was kind of similar. I guess there can be a link between merchandise and advertising but advertising could be a whole topic on its own (I'll not bore you with that) and I'm sure you all understand the concept of advertising (get noticed so that people know about you and buy your products). So my questions to you are these:
1. Do you have any gaming related merchandise? If so what?
2. Would you buy any if it was good?
3. Do you think there would be a market for it?
4. Is it a pointless idea?
The biggest one that I can think off is Nintendo's Pokemon but I am sure that the cartoon came first and the game was another idea from the marketing team so I guess all the merchandise is for the cartoon just so happens that the game also gets a lot of attention and merchandise. Maybe it could be argued that the game is a form of merchandise from the cartoon series. I for one dislike pokemon, it is the Microsoft of kids tv, it is a poorly created cartoon (for today's standards) and the idea behind "so much" merchandise aimed at children is just ridiculous. But that enough of that, lets move away and concentrate more on the games and the future of games (that's what the topic is for) so what about merchandise with games? Is it good?
Is there a market for it? Should it be improved?
One of my first thoughts was to do with the music industry. The two industries (music and gaming) often get compared in different ways. I though of some of the merchandise that is available to do with music and bands, ranging from things from t-shirts to mugs and music books. So what about to do with games I here you ask? Well as far as I know the majority of games don't have any extra merchandise released after or when a game is released. There are a few like MGS dog tags or toy figures but they aren't what the people want.
I for one would like to see more merchandise like T-Shirts, mugs, posters, books of early screen designs leading up to some final versions. One reason I think that we don't see a lot of it is money. It is a risk making things if you are unsure as to whether people will buy it. All the merchandise I have seen is usually limited addition making it that little bit more appealing to buyers. But bare in mind that merchandise would also bring in extra cash to the developers, it may be just kept as profit or could be used on future products which would be good news for us.
Now before I go on I would like to get one thing straight. I wouldn't like to see developers let the standard of their games slip as the concentrate on merchandise as well. Make the merchandise after the game, in this day and age games are expected to be of a high standard, fail to meet these standards and the chances are it will sell very little copies and your merchandise will not sell to much either. If the quality of the game is at risk because of issues with the merchandise (or any other off the side project) then forget about it and concentrate fully on the game.
Right well back to the main idea. Should merchandise be seen more in the gaming industry? For those who wondered about the pants issue from before (and have read this far) when I was young I remember having a pair of Super Mario pants, Sad I know but in their day they kicked major butt. A marketing idea to attract more money to the company (the whole idea of merchandising) and also giving customers those extra choices.
Another downside could be that the merchandise is taken too far (pokemon) were ridiculous items are released in an attempt to blatantly rip people off with pointless items. Which could annoy people and prevent them from buying future merchandise products. Also developers could use money that would be better spent on games on merchandise instead which is not a good thing.
I have noticed card board cut outs which are good and no doubt sell well, books related to game have also been released but again only in small numbers for a few games. Is there a whole market that is waiting to be filled with gaming related merchandise?
Merchandise has a lot of good points for companies, t-shirts, key rings and most products will no doubt have a name or logo which will also advertise the products to others (if someone sees a gamecube t-shirt or PS2 t-shirt the chances are they will take notice of it) No sure many seen my Mario pants but I'm sure the idea behind them was kind of similar. I guess there can be a link between merchandise and advertising but advertising could be a whole topic on its own (I'll not bore you with that) and I'm sure you all understand the concept of advertising (get noticed so that people know about you and buy your products). So my questions to you are these:
1. Do you have any gaming related merchandise? If so what?
2. Would you buy any if it was good?
3. Do you think there would be a market for it?
4. Is it a pointless idea?
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You know what I found the other day? A Batman sticker and a WEC Le Mans sticker from the Spectrum games I had 15 odd years ago! Amazing! I think I've still got the After Burner poster from the game box too, it's at my parent's house somewhere.
Extras are great, they just make games a bit more fun and should be included in every game. Perhaps they should have keyrings or something as well.
Extras are great, they just make games a bit more fun and should be included in every game. Perhaps they should have keyrings or something as well.
err snes CD?
well it was so long and i'm so lazy not a good mix
but if yu did infact mention mario pants like you say you did then i applaud you
but if yu did infact mention mario pants like you say you did then i applaud you
WolfGirl wrote:
> well i am very disapointed not a single sight of pants anywhere
not a thong,
> boxer or even pair of big grandma pants
you used a title to lure me in like a
> pooh to a honey pot
i am disapointed to the nth degree
shame on you
you didn't read it then as I did talk about my Mario pants : )
> well i am very disapointed not a single sight of pants anywhere
not a thong,
> boxer or even pair of big grandma pants
you used a title to lure me in like a
> pooh to a honey pot
i am disapointed to the nth degree
shame on you
you didn't read it then as I did talk about my Mario pants : )
Strafex wrote:
> In Japan, the Pokemon games came a while before the series, the series is
> actually based around the game.
They released the series here first though,
> in order to build up a fan base.
Pokemon has been over franchised but the
> games are still good quality. The N64 ones were alright and the Gameboy ones are
> all first class.
Strafex is right, I think Pokemon, the Game Boy game would of sold better if they did put the cartoon on though as I had heard of Pokemon ages before the cartoon was ever put on TV.
> In Japan, the Pokemon games came a while before the series, the series is
> actually based around the game.
They released the series here first though,
> in order to build up a fan base.
Pokemon has been over franchised but the
> games are still good quality. The N64 ones were alright and the Gameboy ones are
> all first class.
Strafex is right, I think Pokemon, the Game Boy game would of sold better if they did put the cartoon on though as I had heard of Pokemon ages before the cartoon was ever put on TV.
well i am very disapointed not a single sight of pants anywhere
not a thong, boxer or even pair of big grandma pants
you used a title to lure me in like a pooh to a honey pot
i am disapointed to the nth degree
shame on you
not a thong, boxer or even pair of big grandma pants
you used a title to lure me in like a pooh to a honey pot
i am disapointed to the nth degree
shame on you
Reaper[oV] wrote:
> Heh, I have that around somewhere, stole it off my mate one
> time...
scatman..
I don't remember that being on it!
It was songs from the actual game :o)
> Heh, I have that around somewhere, stole it off my mate one
> time...
scatman..
I don't remember that being on it!
It was songs from the actual game :o)
I'm the very proud owner of a Comix Zone soundtrack cd, which appeared in the box when I found it.
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