Grey Market Research |
Let's change this industry together!
Dear developers,
During our years in the gaming e-commerce business, we've seen trends come and go. One of these trends is the growing grey market. What is it exactly? Technically, a grey market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels that are legal but unintended by the original manufacturer. In other words, grey is every digital code that has not been authorized directly by a publisher or developer. The codes often end up on reseller websites or marketplaces, where they are sold again with an immense price advantage. The products are often legal, but not always. There is not a lot of clarity for the developer, publisher or the gamer and since the grey market is so large and diverse, it is also largely uncontrolled.
We've talked with many parties; publishers, developers and media. Every single party we've talked to wants to have a better understanding and would like to act accordingly to change the industry for the better. However we all suffer from a lack of information. That's why we from Startselect (startselect.com/about) and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have teamed up to clarify all of this. Our research will try and lift the veil on every aspect of the grey market, in order to provide all developers, publishers and media with the information they need.
We want to ask you to fill in this short survey (anonymously), and help us and other developers understand what is going on in this market, and how we can improve it for all parties involved. We want to thank all of you in advance for your time. Together we can produce a document that will educate the consumer, platform-holders, publishers and media.
Game on!
During our years in the gaming e-commerce business, we've seen trends come and go. One of these trends is the growing grey market. What is it exactly? Technically, a grey market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels that are legal but unintended by the original manufacturer. In other words, grey is every digital code that has not been authorized directly by a publisher or developer. The codes often end up on reseller websites or marketplaces, where they are sold again with an immense price advantage. The products are often legal, but not always. There is not a lot of clarity for the developer, publisher or the gamer and since the grey market is so large and diverse, it is also largely uncontrolled.
We've talked with many parties; publishers, developers and media. Every single party we've talked to wants to have a better understanding and would like to act accordingly to change the industry for the better. However we all suffer from a lack of information. That's why we from Startselect (startselect.com/about) and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have teamed up to clarify all of this. Our research will try and lift the veil on every aspect of the grey market, in order to provide all developers, publishers and media with the information they need.
We want to ask you to fill in this short survey (anonymously), and help us and other developers understand what is going on in this market, and how we can improve it for all parties involved. We want to thank all of you in advance for your time. Together we can produce a document that will educate the consumer, platform-holders, publishers and media.
Game on!