Why Publisher's Aren't Going Anywhere

Last week I read an editorial by Rob Fahey discussing the rapidly evolving relationship between publishers and developers in this new era of digital distribution. Fahey's thesis can be summed into the following:

A publisher does more than just distribute and sell games; they act as the developer's fancier and marketing source. And, while digital distribution will certainly change the role of the publisher in the future, until the developers find alternative sources of financing and marketing their projects, developers' need for publisher's isn't going to change for a while.

Fahey goes on to point out that these alternate means could be accomplished either through the developer honing his own business skills (in marketing and finance) or by outsourcing the project to third parties. Aptly, he goes on to say that the latter choice would probably consist of reinvented publishing houses (similar to the change that is occurring in the music industry today). And, given the size of the industry, its history, (no offence but) the culture of developers, and absent some gigantic industry push to educated developers in business, I would say that Fahey is correct to assume that these third party providers are the most likely outcome.

As a side note, I would like to throw out a third option. Developers who want nothing to do with publishers should consider seeking to bring on a business expert onto their team from the start. Someone who has experience in marketing and raising money, who can sell the product to potential investors--possibly someone who used to work for a publisher? I dunno, just a thought...