67726e wrote:
So what is the criteria for RetroUSB to release a homebrew game?
I have attempted to ask Bunnyboy the same on IRC. He answered some of my questions, but ignored others. He did provide me with a PDF "contract.pdf" document that lists production prices. The top part simply states who the two parties are (developer and producer). The rest details itemized costs for fabricating the costs. On IRC he mentioned "splitting the profits" but he did not clarify when I asked him.
Let's say that a cart would cost $10.00 to build (NROM, 32k/8k, cic, no manual, no box, price approximate, not exact). If the game lists for $25.00 on retrousb, then there would be $15.00 profit per game. What was totally unclear is:
a) if the $15.00 is pure developer profit (BB took his cut out of the fabrication prices)
-or-
b) if the $15.00 is then split w/ retrousb in some fashion.
No mention was paid of the developer paying for the production run up-front. I got the impression (but certainly no confirmation) that he fabricates the carts on demand.
I am unable to find any public URL linking to his PDF, so I won't publicize it here.
It would certainly be helpful if BB would put up a FAQ of how his developer/publisher relationship works.
When I first considered publishing my game on retrousb, I was excited. I've never "published" (a game) before, just commercial financial software. But the more I reflect on my experience trying to learn how its done, the more I feel uneasy about it.
Unfortunately, I have no idea if the other NES cart making publishers are trustworthy (they sell even more legally questionable products than BB). The only source for production quality parts is retrousb anyway. The prices for plastics + PCBs on BB's contract.pdf are a bit less than the "wholesale" prices listed for 1-off purchases on Retrousb's site. So if I (or anyone else) wanted to produce our own run of carts, it would cost us more than if we outsourced it to Bunnyboy.
However, let's not discount the services provided by retrousb. They provide the web site, customer payment management, fabrication and shipping services. Those things consume time and money.
Bunnyboy sets up a unique paypal account per (title or developer, I'm not sure). The developer has read-only access to this account (think of it like an escrow account). Bunny boy releases funds to the developer once per quarter.
Bunnyboy is not easy to communicate with. He ignores PMs, doesn't read nesdev (just nintendoage and irc), may or may not respond to email, ignores most things in IRC.
I know that the above is a big ramble, and might not be 100% accurate. I'm typing it on a shitty dell laptop while traveling on vacation.
Bottom line, I wish for three things:
1) Bunnyboy to be more explicit about the agreement.
2) Bunnyboy would be easier to communicate with.
3) Someone else would offer a competing service.