Do you think the "Build Your Own" market will explode?

[Whiterook]

A not so simple question, but one in which I'd love to know your feelings on:

Do you think the "Build Your Own" market will explode?

I am seeing more and more game designers either talking about, or actively pursuing, a "build your own" trend of game offerings on their online sites. These, simply put, are board games that you download the counters and cut/paste/build yourself, and play on map boards you also download. I'm not talking about demos here, but rather, actual games. I see this as a potential boon for the game designers in the simple fact of cutting out enormous amounts of overhead for them.

[Jim O]

It sounds good but how would they prevent piracy? If the game pieces and maps are printable then they can be photocopied and that's pretty much that. I see that as a potential drawback. Otherwise the idea is a great way to minimize the cost of manufacture and distribution.

[Whiterook]

I guess I'm using misleading verbiage when I say "download".....the one's I've seen referenced require you to purchase the game, and you are sent the game electronically, to print out and build; either through I assume an email, or being supplied a one-time user specific code to unlock your copy on their website? I haven't looked into it to thoroughly as of yet, which you've probably guessed by now

[MAGNA]

I would love to have access or to run a site which was by subscription. The subscription would allow you to download add on hexes done for particular games as well as scenarios and rule additions or one off mods for particular scenarios or rulesets.

The best idea would be to give people who contribute published graphics, scenarios, rules, to have free access for a certain time as well as a share each time their contribution is downloaded by subscribers.

Something like that anyway.