bennyb
Member
If they're doing the overlay bundle, as the rumor suggests; They may as well throw in some rubble overlays too, please! :devious:
The major reason is that it costs a game company as much to process an order for a single low cost item, for say $2, as it does for a set of those items for, say $20. In addition, it's a production and inventory nightmare.If all the components of an overlay bundle are in hand, then why not offer the components separately, so that you could replace specific items that have been damaged, or that you have lost?
An incredibly good way to lose money, not to mention add a lot of hard miles to your life.The major reason is that it costs a game company as much to process an order for a single low cost item, for say $2, as it does for a set of those items for, say $20. In addition, it's a production and inventory nightmare.
So from a business perspective, stocking a bunch of low price items that are ordered singly is a good way to lose money.
And, I'd like to point out that no where in this thread (except in the message above) is there any "rumor" that there will be a overlay bundle. Some people have asked for it, but no one from MMP has said they'd do it. Have they?If they're doing the overlay bundle, as the rumor suggests; They may as well throw in some rubble overlays too, please! :devious:
Exactly, but some of these guys dont know much about MODERN business with computers and digital technologies, those new fangled things. i work in the printing industry and know exactly how much these businesses make off of selling small, very very low cost items ( cost of paper and ink).Actually overlays are perfect to sell individually, no need for an overlay bundle. All you need is the files stored digitally and a reasonably good quality printer. I would use Just-In-Time production; print overlays as they are ordered. There is no need for mass printings and a cumbersome inventory to maintain. Maps could be done as well, but the investment would be higher as the printer required would be bigger/better so the economics may not work on maps, but I would think overlays would be easy.
It's not the printing, but the management and stocking of that many different part numbers that would be a nightmare.Exactly, but some of these guys dont know much about MODERN business with computers and digital technologies, those new fangled things. i work in the printing industry and know exactly how much these businesses make off of selling small, very very low cost items ( cost of paper and ink).
Now i agree the maintenance on their websites i know nothing of the cost but i know you could buy overlays from a printer for around 10 cents a sheet if more than 1000 are done at a time, selling for a few dollars each, im sure there is room for error and overhead, but it certainly isnt going to make anyone rich, and may well be a nightmare for the ladies in the office at MMP.
But if they sold it for the right price, it could still be lucrative.Now, in the electronic/computer vein, they could sell a download of the files (probably PDF) to print out the overlays? Of course, they would probably sell exactly ONE of those.....
Probably a good idea, but I'm thinking that the overlays are part of ASL (read: Hasborg) IP, which would probably require a royalty per set of overlays? Even if MMP didn't make a penny on the sale, there is possibly some cost associated with distributing these?Frankly it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to just offer a .pdf of all overlays on their web site as a free service. Given how many are out of print etc. I certainly wouldn't begrudge them charging something for it either & my guess is that presuming the .pdf was a reasonable download fee a majority of ASLers who wanted it, would pay for it rather than stealing a copy from a buddy...