I've had an idea.

[mouthuvmine]

I was reading the games completed forums when I cam across something...a game I can no longer recall the name of was removed from it's host, and one possible reason sited by someone whose identity I can no longer remember either, was most people blow over a potentially good game with a gargantuan download. What if someone (okay, I'll do it ) was to figure out a cost effective way to do a mailer sort of disc? Not really worried about the difficulties of it right now, because I was honestly planning something soon that would invlove a similar action.

I'm more curious if that would be a good idea in general. No charge or anything. How cool would adventure games compiled and sent to your door be? Maybe even AGS updates and stuff. Wow, I keep having more ideas as I go. Well, how's that start sound?

[Evil]

They've done releases similar to this before. I think it was AGS, a bunch of plug-ins, Mittens photos, and some of the AGS award winners. People have sold just their games before, not really for much profit. I don't know how well a massive release of games would go over. People would have to approve or send in files. Maybe we should take a poll of how many would want one.

[mouthuvmine]

It would mostly just be approval we'd need I think. Most games are available for download already. And as far as what to put on it, I would be more interested in peoples' suggestions, then worry about making sure I can put the game on. I'd really like to put this together. Maybe a poll WOULD be in order.

[auriond]

That's a really good idea. CDs and envelopes are really cheap over here (though shipping isn't), but I'd be happy to handle posting to Asia if we're talking about demand from this side of the world.

Or, how about a kind of request service - the author of a really big (free) game gives you permission to send copies via mailed CDs, someone who is interested puts in a request to you, you send it out?

It'd have to be free though, or we'd be right back at square one - people not willing to wait for a large download are not likely to want to pay for postage.

Maybe you can have a good paid CD production service on the side to finance the free CDs - the paid CDs being professionally produced, with boxes and everything, and this paid service would cater to commercial games.

Just some ideas...

[LimpingFish]

I don't think anybody would object to such a service, but the logistics of the situation might cause a few headaches.

As far as I know, there are few (if any) AGS games that carry a denial of such distribution in any accompanying readme files. Regarding non-profit use anyway.

For someone to take on such a task, and the subsequent costs, by themselves would be a little overwhelming though.

Still, something to think about.

[mouthuvmine]

I was planning on doing a mailer every few months for my recording studio, assuming I keep business rolling like it is now. Included would be a cd to everyone on my mailing list. I was thinking it wouldn't kill me to do the same for AGS games. Like every few months make a compilation of well liked / requested, free games (and I planned to check with all authors anyway). Maybe some interesting demos on it too. I understand the monitary side, and I'm working out the details still. Like a subscription, but free.

To Auriond : The paid service is an excelent idea. I'm already working on all the stuff I'd need to distribute audio cd's anyways.