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Sunday, 26 June 2005
Thou shalt go bankrupt!
Posted @ 16:52
If a particular receipe is making money, why not squeeze more out of the punters by changing the things ever so slightly, and pretend to be something completely new? For some reason, many people seem to accept this idea, including myself every now and then.
What do I mean? Take music singles as an example. There was a time when singers or pop groups (in particular the *manufactured* variety) seem to be happy to churn out cover versions of old classics, rather than doing their own music. Other examples include computer/console games - a 'new' version of the same game is often planned when a new gaming platform is being developed, or re-releasing games with 'extra graphics' or 'extra background music' (more common in the old days during the floppy/CD-ROM transition period). Another successful strategy is to release 'Xth anniversary edition', or 'limitied edition'. This is notorious in the beat 'em up genre, including my favourite, Street Fighter II.
Nowadays classic board games repeatedly reinvent themselves with new editions. Monopoly is a prime example - you get international/regional editions as well as themed versions related to sports or movies. However, the fact that Monopoly has been around for 70 years inevitably means that some aspects of the game is now severely outdated. Guess what the company behind Monopoly decided to do? Yes, you've guessed it - a 70th Anniversary Edition! They have updated the game in several aspects, most notably prices are now brought to the 21st century levels. Other changes include new landmarks, and new game pieces.
Speaking of updating Monopoly, one of the selling points in the regional sets is that the game should reflect the local community depicted. However, I've played the Cambridge set and, to be honest, I was rather disappointed. Yes, I got the relevant landmarks, but that's about it. It would be nice if they can go further in their 'regional touch'. For example, a couple of 'scholarship worth $500' or 'Got drunk in student bar and then got arrested' cards would make a lot of differences.
Oh well, I guess having so many editions of the same thing means that you can start a collection. A nice change from coins or stamps perhaps. However, if you are not careful (or the manufacturers keep releasing 'new editions'), you could really spend a fortune on these kind of things.....
What do I mean? Take music singles as an example. There was a time when singers or pop groups (in particular the *manufactured* variety) seem to be happy to churn out cover versions of old classics, rather than doing their own music. Other examples include computer/console games - a 'new' version of the same game is often planned when a new gaming platform is being developed, or re-releasing games with 'extra graphics' or 'extra background music' (more common in the old days during the floppy/CD-ROM transition period). Another successful strategy is to release 'Xth anniversary edition', or 'limitied edition'. This is notorious in the beat 'em up genre, including my favourite, Street Fighter II.
Nowadays classic board games repeatedly reinvent themselves with new editions. Monopoly is a prime example - you get international/regional editions as well as themed versions related to sports or movies. However, the fact that Monopoly has been around for 70 years inevitably means that some aspects of the game is now severely outdated. Guess what the company behind Monopoly decided to do? Yes, you've guessed it - a 70th Anniversary Edition! They have updated the game in several aspects, most notably prices are now brought to the 21st century levels. Other changes include new landmarks, and new game pieces.
Speaking of updating Monopoly, one of the selling points in the regional sets is that the game should reflect the local community depicted. However, I've played the Cambridge set and, to be honest, I was rather disappointed. Yes, I got the relevant landmarks, but that's about it. It would be nice if they can go further in their 'regional touch'. For example, a couple of 'scholarship worth $500' or 'Got drunk in student bar and then got arrested' cards would make a lot of differences.
Oh well, I guess having so many editions of the same thing means that you can start a collection. A nice change from coins or stamps perhaps. However, if you are not careful (or the manufacturers keep releasing 'new editions'), you could really spend a fortune on these kind of things.....
By the way...
This is only a personal website, it is not supposed to (and impossible to) cater for all tastes. Whilst the mood of the entries vary from "serious" to "random", please forgive me for the liberal use of "cynicism" and "sarcasm". If an entry isn't your cup of tea, just skip it... [Yes, this is a disclaimer!]
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# posted by p:) : 5:53 PM
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