I’m a fan
They have done a lot to get smaller developers exposure. They’ve done a lot to let us have physical versions of games that would otherwise be digital only. The new preorder system makes it way easier to get the games you want.
LRG is pretty developer friendly. They give those developers the publishing rights back after their run of the game.
I really don’t see what’s not to like.
Physical versions of games we wouldn't otherwise see physically without companies like LRG is a great idea on paper.
Unfortuantely, some of the decisions LRG has made over the past few years have shown that when it comes to customers, a lot of the time it's either them not knowing what people want or simply not caring.
The removal of the hold order system was a big one for people over seas (like myself), since now every game you buy, even if it's a single game costs $15 in shipping every time. Let's say you have to pick up 2 games on the one day, and one sells out in the morning but you put the order in for the other game in the afternoon. They won't combine your morning and afternoon order, i know this after experiencing it myself a couple of times. That means you pay for the two games and two lots of $15 shipping, only to then receive both the games in the same package, again i know this because it's happened to me personally :/
Then there's the over saturation. The sheer amount of games that LRG put out in a year, exceeds EVERY publisher of games on the planet. Remember when there were loads of LRG full setters? I wonder how many of them there are now, given that CE's can cost anywhere between $50-$150+ now, and almost every single week there's at least 1 new game.
Let's not forget odd decisions like Lawbreakers, an entirely online based game printed on disc? Only to have certain people receive their games AFTER the servers went down, and ended up with a very pretty coaster.
Then games like Aaero having a price increase and only mentioning why AFTER the game went on sale.
They may be good for developers, but not so much for customers honestly.
Though i will admit, i do think they're doing a little better with the pre-orders lasting 4 weeks or more now.
Far more savvy business decision, and way better for the customers planning to make a larger order.