Multiple Versions of Singles

[RyRyMini]

For Ayu, and many other artists, releasing multiple versions of the same single is becoming the standard. Although she did it periodically in the past, since Mirrorcle World and not counting Sunrise/Sunset, Ayu has released 3-4 versions of each single.

Why do you guys think this is? Is it to entice buyers into buying all versions based on their menial differences? Is it for profit, or for the ranking on Oricon? Is it a scam?

If you're someone who has bought all versions of a single, why did you do it? Was it for collection purposes or because you were truly interested in the extras each version contained?

[Mirrorcle Monster]

I think multiple versions are made to sell more

[powpowparn]

It's a marketing gimmick to get people to spend more money imo. I'm sure avex (and other record companies) realise there are hardcore fans who will buy all versions.

I don't think I've ever bought more than 2 versions. The reason why I get 2 is because I want all of the b-sides and to have that I'd usually need to buy both CD onlys. I'm never bothered with the DVD because, with Ayu at least, whatever's on the DVD will eventually be on the album.

[AyusakiFan]

I personally believe that it is definetely something that is done for profit, especially for people like Ayumi who have a huge fanbase. They know that they have many diehard fans out there who are willing to shell out the cash and aquire these CDs for their collections that aren't complete unless they have every version of every album and single. Do I think it's smart of them to do it? Definetely, especially if it works. Who doesn't want to maximiaze their profits? Do I think it's wrong of them to do it? Not exactly. For people who can't afford to be completionists but would like to, this kind of practice can come across as greedy. But at the same time, if you have the money for it, it's certainly fun to collect and is quite interesting. I guess it depends on who you talk to because I personally can understand why fans would both like and dislike this practice.

[AngelSenshi]

Usually people buy multiple versions because they're collectors, interested in the different first press prizes, because there's a lot they love, they want to support the artist as much as possible, etc.

With this in mind, artists release multiple purchases so it increases the sales of the album/single or other form of media.

I don't always buy multiple versions of the singles; I don't entirely see the point. If there's two then MAYBE I'll buy both, but not when there's four or even five. Also, it's rare I buy numerous versions of singles at all; of albums if there's a Limited Edition and a Regular Edition then I most likely buy both.

[gallowsCalibrator]

I think it is a way for avex and other companies to get more money out of collectors and hardcore fans who will without a doubt buy all of the versions. I don't think it's a scam, but I do think it is a way for the companies to get more money. I personally am not a collector, so I only buy one, if any, of the versions (I don't have an endless cash flow ), but there are people who will buy all versions, so as long as people do buy them all, the companies will keep releasing multiple versions, I guess

[Mintkisses]

Money Money Money Money

[visionfactory]

It's good for me because when I buy a single I like to choose the cover I like the best ^^ Covers are important for me

[AngelSenshi]

Originally Posted by visionfactory

It's good for me because when I buy a single I like to choose the cover I like the best ^^ Covers are important for me

That's the only reason I buy an extra version of something, and that extra version doesn't have anything particularly special with it. Like when I ordered Rock'n'Roll Circus CD+DVD; I ordered the CD Only too just because I thought the cover was so cute.

[Picaflor 7/4]

for people like pos, yes it is very enticing. But i don't see any reason to do it. i think its a marketing ploy. Remixes were in in the late 90s, early 00s, so hey, lets throw millions of remixes on all the singles. now remixes are out so we won't put a ton of them on singles anymore. late '10s hey! dvd version of singles are popular, let's release everything like that! its not that they weren't available in the late 90s, but these days they're really popular so come on everyone! let's release all our stuff in cd/dvd format.

see what i mean? releasing multiple things is just a way to entice someone into buying. If you released a cd only version of everything, and one version of everything, and had no extras, no one would buy.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I think it's greedy Avex + probably trying to secure the #1 position...I still hate it though.

[kotora]

Thinking about Multi-version single with DVD, DVD is kind of outdated for the market.

Where is CD+ Blue-ray Disc?

[RyRyMini]

You guys make some good points. Thinking about it now, DVD versions are pretty stupid. I only have a few of them from any artist, and I only watch the DVDs once, if at all. Mostly because if I want to see the features/PVs I can usually just find them on youtube, but even then they're not that interesting or new. For those of you who own CD+DVD versions, do you often watch the DVDs?

Clearly the ultimate cause of multiple versions is money, mostly for avex. It's probably their decision to release all the versions, right? But at the same time I think the proximate cause could be to keep Ayu's record. There will always be collectors who are willing to buy anything and everything Ayu releases. Multiple versions means higher sales, obviously.

@Visionfactory - Covers are important to me, too. I think I usually choose based on cover rather than content, which is probably superficial.

@Picaflor 7/4 - You're definitely right about the remixes, but I disagree with you about no one buying CD-onlys if that's all that was released. There are a lot of artists who chart pretty well who only release 1 or 2 versions of their singles, like Johnny's groups. And plus, in the 90s there usually was just one versions and numbers then are much higher than they are now.

I think casual buyers care mostly about the A-side itself and disregard the B-side, subsequent remixes and the covers. I could be wrong though.

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

I think it's greedy Avex + probably trying to secure the #1 position...I still hate it though.

ur hot x3

anyway, it's for the $$$. AND idealistically, for us to have more choices ^^

[Kazeyomi]

Originally Posted by RyRyMini

There are a lot of artists who chart pretty well who only release 1 or 2 versions of their singles, like Johnny's groups.

There's the 'fangirl' factor. With Johnny's groups I mean.
But the same could be saying for AKB48 and other girlbands like them. Ayu has not the same fanbase.

[chloeM]

i'll never buy singles... i don't know the reason thou~

[pepper]

Money and japanese manner (or asian maybe) Japanese are born collectors. They want this as the 'very best fans' :] US don't do that even they want to suck money even more. They just making single compilation ~No. 18738173812738~ or anothers bests, lol. Or the main singiers are creating their fashion with their name, perfumes or special edition of Light Coke, yeah~ ;D

[RyRyMini]

Originally Posted by koshka

There's the 'fangirl' factor. With Johnny's groups I mean.
But the same could be saying for AKB48 and other girlbands like them. Ayu has not the same fanbase.

It's true that idol groups do have dedicated fans who will buy multiple copies of the same single just to support the group..but isn't that the same as a dedicated Ayu fan buying 4 copies of virtually the same songs?

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

i think it's stupid

honestly, it looks so desperate.

i mean, it's ok sometimes, but periodically releasing 3-4 versions of a single is getting on my nerves.

I mean yeah, granted we don't HAVE to buy all the versions, but then adding on limited first press stuff just makes it even worse!

the cd and cd+dvd is perfectly fine. cd, cd, cd+dvd, cd+dvd is dumb.
They're doing it because they know they can get away with it.

[HarukaKamiya]

Originally Posted by kotora

Thinking about Multi-version single with DVD, DVD is kind of outdated for the market.

Where is CD+ Blue-ray Disc?

Not everyone has a Blu-ray player, nor does everyone care to get one at this point.