Posted May 28, 2019
You are, of course, absolutely correct that GOG has sold bundles during sales - though this doesn't quite capture the crux of what I'm saying. Perhaps my explanation is a little lacking - which is further confused by my direct comparison to Humble Bundle-style bundles as being distinct in function and appeal to what might otherwise be fairly described as a regular sales bundle.
What I'm referring to is a regular programme of 'ultra-value' bundles, which differ from traditional sales offerings. Ultra-value bundles I would characterize as being sold at almost uniquely low prices (usually at a discount of more than 90% off), but offset that seemingly impractical sale price by encouraging a much higher volume of purchases from;
A) people who might not have bought the games at all during a more traditional sale (in many cases, having already passed up the opportunity to purchase these games during prior sales),
B) people who might only have ever purchased a small number of specific games in the bundle but would happily pay that little extra for the additional titles that come with it,
C) people who may have already purchased these games on other platforms but require greater incentive to double-dip, and
D) people who are simply bargain-hunters.
The bundles you're referring to I have purchased during GOG sales on numerous occasions. There are definitely some very good value sales - I don't dispute that.
Thank you for the heads-up on the War For the Overworld sale. I wasn't in time to catch it, though did happen to have the game already - which actually brings me back to the ultra-value bundle point I'm trying to make. War For the Overworld I would probably never have considered buying - even during a heavy sale. This is not to discredit the game or the developer - I've no doubt that it's an enjoyable game - but the fact is, it's a game that sits a little outside the genre sphere of games I might typically buy as an independent purchase - AND I had already purchased it by way of the August 2017 Humble Bundle monthly. They essentially got a micro-sale out of me for a game I wouldn't have otherwise bought.
Let me put it another way:
In the past 12 months (if my quick glance over email receipts is accurate), I have spent just £27.99 on game purchases on GOG. In the 12 months prior to that, I spent £58.62 on game purchases on GOG. I wouldn't read too much into the fact that there was a decline from one year to the next as that could easily be down to a lack of spare time and lower disposable income. As a minor aside, I've spent even less on direct Steam purchases.
BUT ...
In contrast, I've spent roughly ~£100 each year on the Humble Bundle monthly programme alone. That's regular, annually recurring payments to Humble/charity/developers that does not even include separate standalone ultra-value Humble Bundles (so my annual expenditure will unquestionably be meaningfully higher). Would I have bought most of these games during a regular sale? No. Will I ever PLAY most of these games? No. Is this poor money-management? Oh yes. But given that GOG is easily my favourite games distributor/platform, I would HAPPILY jump on board for a similar programme with GOG - and I can't help but feel they are missing a trick by not running one.
A few questions to anyone willing to answer:
1. Would you buy or subscribe to a Humble-style ultra-value GOG Bundle programme (monthly or otherwise)?
2. Do you spend more annually on ultra-value Humble Bundles, or on GOG purchases?
What I'm referring to is a regular programme of 'ultra-value' bundles, which differ from traditional sales offerings. Ultra-value bundles I would characterize as being sold at almost uniquely low prices (usually at a discount of more than 90% off), but offset that seemingly impractical sale price by encouraging a much higher volume of purchases from;
A) people who might not have bought the games at all during a more traditional sale (in many cases, having already passed up the opportunity to purchase these games during prior sales),
B) people who might only have ever purchased a small number of specific games in the bundle but would happily pay that little extra for the additional titles that come with it,
C) people who may have already purchased these games on other platforms but require greater incentive to double-dip, and
D) people who are simply bargain-hunters.
The bundles you're referring to I have purchased during GOG sales on numerous occasions. There are definitely some very good value sales - I don't dispute that.
Korotan: I have to correct you. The sold bundles. On their 10th annisvary the offered three bundles where in each you get three games for the price of one. Oh and they sell GoG keys on Humble Bundle too. When Brightrock Games celebrated War for the Overworld comming to Japan and with it giving a free event skin with achievment the made a celebration sale on Steam offering the Game cheap as never before. Because I find that unfair, I looked up on Humble Bundle where whas a sale dispite not as low too and they even offered up GoG Key. The Sale is still running for 4 hours and the event skin is still during may so if you want hurry up: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/war-for-the-overworld-the-ultimate-edition?hmb_source=search_bar
https://www.humblebundle.com/store/war-for-the-overworld?hmb_source=search_bar
To clarify, I'm not really referring to individual titles that GOG sells on the Humble Store (of which there are very few). https://www.humblebundle.com/store/war-for-the-overworld?hmb_source=search_bar
Thank you for the heads-up on the War For the Overworld sale. I wasn't in time to catch it, though did happen to have the game already - which actually brings me back to the ultra-value bundle point I'm trying to make. War For the Overworld I would probably never have considered buying - even during a heavy sale. This is not to discredit the game or the developer - I've no doubt that it's an enjoyable game - but the fact is, it's a game that sits a little outside the genre sphere of games I might typically buy as an independent purchase - AND I had already purchased it by way of the August 2017 Humble Bundle monthly. They essentially got a micro-sale out of me for a game I wouldn't have otherwise bought.
Let me put it another way:
In the past 12 months (if my quick glance over email receipts is accurate), I have spent just £27.99 on game purchases on GOG. In the 12 months prior to that, I spent £58.62 on game purchases on GOG. I wouldn't read too much into the fact that there was a decline from one year to the next as that could easily be down to a lack of spare time and lower disposable income. As a minor aside, I've spent even less on direct Steam purchases.
BUT ...
In contrast, I've spent roughly ~£100 each year on the Humble Bundle monthly programme alone. That's regular, annually recurring payments to Humble/charity/developers that does not even include separate standalone ultra-value Humble Bundles (so my annual expenditure will unquestionably be meaningfully higher). Would I have bought most of these games during a regular sale? No. Will I ever PLAY most of these games? No. Is this poor money-management? Oh yes. But given that GOG is easily my favourite games distributor/platform, I would HAPPILY jump on board for a similar programme with GOG - and I can't help but feel they are missing a trick by not running one.
A few questions to anyone willing to answer:
1. Would you buy or subscribe to a Humble-style ultra-value GOG Bundle programme (monthly or otherwise)?
2. Do you spend more annually on ultra-value Humble Bundles, or on GOG purchases?