Quote: "There are people that say that it is ok to have the ESRB rate your games for $800.00 or $4000.00 but it is not ok to have a smaller company do it for $5.00. Where does that make sense? "
BESCAUSE, it is an investment.
You get that money back, and a lot more with it, when your game sells.
Quote: "No you dont need a rating for that, or to sell it online.."
But you do need an ESRB Rating to sell your game at Wal-Mart or GameStop. (or any other major distributor)
I do not agree with this, but that is simply the way it is at this time.
I hope the retailers soon stop supporting the ESRB monopoly by allowing other ratings for their products.
But, as long as they have store policies requiring an ESRB Rating, then you have to get one if you want to "play the game".
It all depends on how much you want your game to make...Hundreds or Thousands?
I plan on paying the $800 for my first FPSC X10 release, even though I will release less than 10,000 copies.
The distributor I have chosen has a $25,000 minimum buy order. (they will do larger buy orders too of course)
They buy your game from you in quantity at wholesale prices upfront, then resell it.
What they mark it up and how many they sell is up to them..
So, if they can't sell it then that's their problem (you already have your money).
The ESRB rating can make you or break you when it comes down to making a 'real deal'.