4 Corner Games talks I've Got to Run's potential EU release, NA pricing & release date
A portion of a Nintendo Life interview with 4 Corner Games' Syrenne McNulty...
NL: So far you've only confirmed a North American release — can you outline the reasons for this?
SM: Of course. I’m sorry to say that I’m effectively broke and can barely afford anything, let alone international ratings. The ESRB has a great system wherein, if your game is download-only, your age rating is free. The other ratings boards, however, aren’t so progressive. I’d love to release in Europe – I have great friends who live in Europe, and I know that some people over there are looking forward to the game. To the European audience: Thank you. I understand you're wanting the game out there. Short of a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign for the game to get a European release, I have to rely on the game to sell well enough to both justify itself and cover at least most of the ratings. I’m exploring different ideas as far as releasing worldwide, including (and nobody wants to hear this) releasing only in PEGI territories, or seeking a publisher for a European and Japanese release.
NL: How important is the budget pricing in terms of driving sales for I've Got to Run!?
SM: Budget pricing is a necessity. As many are quick to point out, there are many (less featured) runners available for free on PC and mobile devices. For $2 players are getting a 60fps experience across two screens on a console, that’s been polished and has three modes, with Miiverse score sharing. I comfortably feel okay charging $2 for that. I would feel considerably less comfortable charging $5 to $10 for that. I have absolutely no clue what to expect for sales, but I’m hoping for the best – and I’m hoping that the price point I chose is low enough for an impulse buy. Maybe even with the Digital Deluxe Points from a game like Mario Kart 8?
I would like to take this opportunity to address the issue of the “disparity” between the United States price of $1.99 and the Canadian price of $2.19. I have heard things said, including in your own comments section, such as “another developer screws Canada”. As of the time of release, $2.19 CAD is between $1.99 and $2.00 in USD in the exchange rate – the same price. I don’t like seeing the higher number any more than anyone else, but I feel the game should be sold at $2 USD. If I release in Europe, the pricing structure will be similar if not identical.
NL: Is Q2 still the release target, or can you narrow it down?
SM: All I’m saying is Q2, sorry. I would have to fail Nintendo’s Lotcheck many times for it to slip into Q3, but I will narrow it down by saying that it’d be unreasonable to expect it in April. There are absolutely no guarantees, but I hope to have it out before Mario Kart 8 launches.
NL: So far you've only confirmed a North American release — can you outline the reasons for this?
SM: Of course. I’m sorry to say that I’m effectively broke and can barely afford anything, let alone international ratings. The ESRB has a great system wherein, if your game is download-only, your age rating is free. The other ratings boards, however, aren’t so progressive. I’d love to release in Europe – I have great friends who live in Europe, and I know that some people over there are looking forward to the game. To the European audience: Thank you. I understand you're wanting the game out there. Short of a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign for the game to get a European release, I have to rely on the game to sell well enough to both justify itself and cover at least most of the ratings. I’m exploring different ideas as far as releasing worldwide, including (and nobody wants to hear this) releasing only in PEGI territories, or seeking a publisher for a European and Japanese release.
NL: How important is the budget pricing in terms of driving sales for I've Got to Run!?
SM: Budget pricing is a necessity. As many are quick to point out, there are many (less featured) runners available for free on PC and mobile devices. For $2 players are getting a 60fps experience across two screens on a console, that’s been polished and has three modes, with Miiverse score sharing. I comfortably feel okay charging $2 for that. I would feel considerably less comfortable charging $5 to $10 for that. I have absolutely no clue what to expect for sales, but I’m hoping for the best – and I’m hoping that the price point I chose is low enough for an impulse buy. Maybe even with the Digital Deluxe Points from a game like Mario Kart 8?
I would like to take this opportunity to address the issue of the “disparity” between the United States price of $1.99 and the Canadian price of $2.19. I have heard things said, including in your own comments section, such as “another developer screws Canada”. As of the time of release, $2.19 CAD is between $1.99 and $2.00 in USD in the exchange rate – the same price. I don’t like seeing the higher number any more than anyone else, but I feel the game should be sold at $2 USD. If I release in Europe, the pricing structure will be similar if not identical.
NL: Is Q2 still the release target, or can you narrow it down?
SM: All I’m saying is Q2, sorry. I would have to fail Nintendo’s Lotcheck many times for it to slip into Q3, but I will narrow it down by saying that it’d be unreasonable to expect it in April. There are absolutely no guarantees, but I hope to have it out before Mario Kart 8 launches.
