
But it's not quite like you say. Yes there are royalty fees to each different platform. But porting a game is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Table design, asset creation (textures, models, etc.), marketing material (descriptions, ads, etc.), and on and on is reused. Plus these are all digital distribution platforms, so it's not separate physical media, boxes, shipping (and other logistics).
Yes there is stuff that takes time and money (including pain in the ass submission processes different to each platform, licensing, etc.)--but it's FAR less than a table from scratch. Especially when the port from XBox360 to Windows 8 is close to no effort. Microsoft is working hard towards the future state of there being 0 difference across their platforms. So ultimately Xbox360, Windows 8, Phone, Surface, etc. will all be a single release.
I am with you completely, I've double dipped and will just hide this month's checking account statement from the wife. But we're in a new era of games and digital distribution and the old pricing methods will ultimately start causing products to fail. To be honest they're just not warranted anymore.
Cheers and if you have an XBox360 id (I think that's what my windows 8 copy is using) I'd be happy to add you. Could use some friends on there who appreciate great pinball like the what Zen makes!
- RM
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