
TL;DR
The first Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows featured a sticker announcing the inclusion of Tetris due to licensing negotiations that were not finalized at the time of production. This clever marketing decision allowed the product to be released without risking the need to destroy unsold boxes if the deal fell through.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider using flexible marketing strategies to adapt to uncertain negotiations in your projects.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
When Microsoft released its first Entertainment Pack for Windows, it did not include a number because it was the inaugural edition, and future sequels were uncertain. Initially, the packaging did not mention Tetris, as negotiations for its licensing were still ongoing.
To avoid the risk of having to discard boxes if the deal failed, Microsoft opted to print the boxes without any reference to Tetris. Instead, they prepared red stickers that could be applied once the licensing agreement was finalized.
After the deal was successfully completed, these stickers were added to the existing boxes, allowing the product to be marketed with Tetris included. Subsequent editions of the Entertainment Pack incorporated Tetris into the box art and acknowledged the existence of later volumes, making the stickered version a rare collectible.
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