ESD

Electronic Software Distribution (or "ESD") is a method of software distribution which does not require a physical item (such as a CD). Software is transmitted to the users machine via a network entirely digitally, and stored on the user's hard drive or memory for fast access. ESD allows customers to access software immediately from the comfort of their own home.

SmallRockets sells games through its website using ESD. Customers are able to download and try out games to see if they like them. When they want to purchase them they can do so easily and quickly with a credit card. On purchasing a game the customer is sent a 'licence key' which when installed on the customers machine allows them to access the full features of the game.

SmallRockets and ESD

SmallRockets has been developing ESD games software right from the start. The ESD market has quite different design and technical constraints compared to the traditional retail market.

For our range of PC ESD titles, customers can download demo versions of the games, try them out and, if they like what they see, purchase them instantly online. Demo sizes are kept to around 15Mb to avoid long download times. Purchasing occurs in a seamless fashion using a license code system via our website's e-commerce capability. Following links in the games, customers go online, enter their credit card details and are supplied with a unique license code, which when entered into the demo immediately unlocks the full version of the game - no further downloading is required.

Our ESD titles do not require broadband. Due to the small file sizes and compression techniques used, users can make full use of the advantages of ESD even on narrowband connections. The experience is even more smooth with broadband allowing players to download games rapidly, and play some of the games online.

Advantages of ESD

Publishers and developers

For publishers and developers, there are no distribution or packaging costs, cutting out the middle man and creating better margins through low incremental costs. As these costs do not have to be passed onto the consumer, games can be sold much more cheaply while still creating significant revenue.

Customer

For the customer, it provides quick access to exciting and innovative software titles, with little or no waiting around and at attractive prices. The introduction of broadband networks will only improve the ease and simplicity of access to electronically distributed content. With the introduction of more consumer-oriented devices such as STBs and connected consoles the process will become even more simple and and streamlined.