The ELSPA download chart explained

Not Creating a Monster

But back to the method. Given that we are acting as pioneers, we are entering unknown territory and as such we have to take care with the being we produce. Think Frankenstein's experiment - in order for us not to produce a monster, we all need to take part in the experiment, peer into the morass of data and frankly see what pops out (in private) before we publish the results. Inclusion is absolutely fundamental as is discretion. That's why all members of the group including Chart Track are under strict NDA for now and we are operating on a 'closed beta' basis.

The data used to compile the chart will be drawn from as many sales channels as possible. There are a number of key online retailers and download services which it will be essential to include but ultimately the content owners will all have unique sales data from these outlets as well as data from sales made through their own channels - so content and their owners can set the agenda for once.

Therefore in order to avoid any issues of double counting, only unit sales and revenue figures reported by the point of sale will be included in determining the chart. In order to avoid later confusion it will be necessary to identify the authoritative source of reporting data when adding each sales channel.

For example, if an e-store on a publisher's website is operated by a third party then either the third party or the publisher should report the sale, but not both. Similarly, if an ISP's portal contains a download service operated by a specialist, then either the ISP or specialist should report the sale, but not both. At least initially, the chart will be restricted to sales from portals with a focus on the UK, for example with pricing in British Pounds.

In order to maintain synchronisation between the download and retail charts, the timetable on which data is gathered and processed should, as far as possible, be the same for both. In practice this will likely mean that the processes for the download chart will need to conform to the timetable already established for retail sales reporting.

Indeed we will ensure that we collect data pertaining to title, format (initially PC download, but ideally also indicating full-game, add-on pack and so on) publisher, developer, source (which could be the same as the publisher), unit sales and revenue.

And the Answer is...

Finally we have the results. We're building this PC download chart principally to act as a marketing tool, enabling content owners and makers, be they publishers and or developers, to promote titles on the basis of chart success.

Once the PC download chart has been tested and any operational issues dealt with, it will become established. Indeed we envisage a number of natural extensions, providing more value to content owners over time. This could include the equivalent download charts for other formats, including PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and Wii/DSiWare, but this obviously requires the agreement of the platform owners.

Indeed this chart will help with the consumer messaging that the industry will want, and in some cases will be expected to deliver, when educating consumers as to where they can buy legitimate downloads.

Once the PC chart is in place there is an opportunity to further market the PC as a viable entertainment platform and there may well be an obvious gap from a consumer's perspective if other format charts are not in the public domain.

We would also look to drive more information covering online revenue data, including subscription revenue, in-game micro transaction revenue and the like - but that is very much in the future and will flow out of the conclusions that we as content owners make as a result of this really important initiative.

For now, I would ask all content creating stakeholders, be they members of ELSPA or not, to join us and help create a data resource that will help signpost this new and exciting frontier.