Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

SE6??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif
<robotnik>I... can't believe it! This can't be happening!</robotnik>

Wow Aaron, this is truly incredible... I hope you never have to lose David Gervais from the team though... no offense to your previous artists (or to Atrocities or any of the other myriad shipset makers out there) but he's brought a new level to Space Empires art while being quite the gentleman in terms of public relations! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

BTW, any plans for more public chats over at #SpaceEmpires? Those were fun! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Stragey First's acquistion of the Space Empires intellectual property really doesn't have any bearing on our philosophy on continuing to host these forums.

Our affection for the Space Empires community is genuine, as well as our love of the game. You all have helped shape Shrapnel Games into what it is today, and we are blessed to count you among our friends. We have never looked upon any of you as "freeloaders"http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif. Quite the opposite. We are honored that you continue to want to make this your home.

I can't imagine a set of circumstances that would make us want to turn this group away. I also can't imagine why we wouldn't want to welcome new players of the game to our site. Please know you all are always welcome at Shrapnel Games!

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

Certainly wasn't expecting Aaron's response to be posted directly! hehe

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Thank you, Annette! Now the only thing we have to worry about is SFI forcing you to shut down your forums, but that seema a bit unlikely, and I'm sure you'd stand up to them as best you could http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

I think this has the potential for a wonderful future for all of us. Seeing what else SF has, I think Aaron is THE man whole exceptional product is just what is needed to save SF. What's more, the additional resouces are just what Aaron needs to save MM.

I see this as the best possible situation. Or potentially.

I wish you all the best Aaron. You deserve all the success that this merger can bring you.

In truth, I have only 3 games installed on my computer: SEIV, Dungeon Odessy, Star Fury. SEIII and SEII are still there too, just not installed.

And worst case scenario, I'll be playing SEIV/SEV for many many years.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I don't know why they would want to nor what grounds they would have for doing so.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I don't know if you could legally sell shares to only a 'selected' group of people. An IPO might have opened him to takeover by unknown stock manipulators. But if it was possible to control who was allowed to buy then yes it would have been a much better arrangement than selling the whole store to a typical corporation that regards all of its games as 'revenue sources'. SE V is too close to being done to be much affected, but SE VI might become a disaster similar to MOO III.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Why not?
If Aaron owns all the shares, he can do whatever he pleases with them.

Small businesses with multiple owners can divvy up their shares however they like.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Nice to hear about SE6!!!
I wait day after day, counting them until I get SE5!
I really wish a demo soon, to get a try!

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

I sent him an email asking if he'd address his loyal fans here...I guess I hold a lot of sway with him. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

Maybe... but those were my emailed questions.

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

As I posted on Strategy First Forums, Shrapnel is a class act.

They (SF) have some big shoes to fill.

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

So how many millions and millions of dollars did Strategy First spring to buy Malfador?

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

I havn't posted yet, I don't think. I guess I'm in the 'wait and see' catagory.

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

Thank you! You guys are pretty classy yourselves. It's not hard to be good to good people.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Strategy first's move, because of their injured name and sagging consumer confidence, makes perfect sense.

Best of luck to Aaron however!

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

How Strategy first treated Stardock was criminal and repulsive in my view.Be afraid,be very,very afraid.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

That's why Strategy First bought out Malfador -in my opinion. People trust malfador, they don't trust strategy first.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

You have to consider that Aaron is not a stupid man, if he went into this deal with his eyes wide open, and you can bet he did, then you can trust that he has covered his bases quite nicely.

Aaron stated that he is going to get some resources from SFI to help with both SE V and SE VI. The fact that SE VI is even being mentioned means that there is already enough pre-sale interest in SE V to warrent thinking ahead.

Even if SFI goes under, I am certain that Aaron has protected his right to re-aquire the rights to the SE franchise. (I know that I would dictate specific and harsh terms if payment is not made for any aspect of my contract.)

Given the sad events that transpired between SD and SFI, I will wager that Aaron has taken all precautionary measures to enusre himself and his legacy.

As to SFI, it appears to me that they are trying to make a go of it but are kind of rudderless as to how to re-invent themselves. I agree the first step would be to pull the games that are not selling from the market, and focus on the games that are selling. Secondly keep their word when it comes to information regarding release dates. The fact that they kept pushing the store release of SEIV Deluxe back could have been because their internet sales were rocking. Given the statements made about the Malfador purchase, this might have been the case. ("Hey guys, this space empires game is selling like mad. Perhaps we should buy the company and control the rights?")

I am on the side of lets give SFI the benefit of the doubt. Lets see if they can pick up the peaces and move forward. They certainly are no Shrapnel Games, but who knows, perhaps with Aaron on board, they might one day accend to the level of Shrapnel. (Not that SFI is a bad company, they just have to prove themselves again after the bankruptcy and Stardock scandel.)

As to Shrapnel, I love this site, and I do hope that they continue to inspire the independant game developers into making more and more exciting new games. Thanks for putting up with us, and thanks for being there for us.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

how many times have we worked for a co . that either got new management or was bought out . " your job is safe ! we're making no changes !" YA RIGHT ! they suck you dry for your knowledge or until they can put their own people in place and you find yourself with no job and tryingto explain to wife and kids what happened . Aaron beware ! make sure the check clears and you have a iron tight contract

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Well, in this case, there is only one employee, and he's the management.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I hope aaron made sure all his bases were covered and took precautions and I wish him the best of luck, but I still don't trust Strategy First.

Hopefully Aaron can influence them to a better course.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

It does'nt seem like Strategy First has the best of records - why did Aaron shop himself around a bit more if he was going to sell ?

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Who says he didn't?

And btw, after working with S1st for quite some time now I think Aaron probably has a better insight and more informed opinion of them than most people who make up their minds on pure internet hearsay.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Contract may have given Strategy First first-bid option, but who knows.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Well said.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I disagree. What they did to developers is criminal IMHO, especially Stardock and Brad Wardell, but there were many others. Many of these developers are still hurting. Companies like this make it hard on us indie publishers also. You don't think developers who had dealings with SF are really gun shy when it comes to publishing deals?

David Gervais said it: SF was bought by a company with 22 million in assets. Seems like a 'good' company would do the right thing, and make sure these small devs got their money.

Uhh, what hearsay are you speaking of?

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

The history of SFI as I know it,..

1) Small group of 6 people that wanted to make strategy games.
2) Same small group made a Hockey Game instead (due to it being easier to sell) That bombed.. Game Name "Solid Ice".
3) They than managed to secure a deal to develope an Indianna Jones game for Lucasarts. SFI spent allot of money in the dev and in the end Lucasarts decided to cancel the project due to not wanting it released when the 'Last Crusade' came out. Lucasarts made an adventure game based on the movie instead.
4) In order to try and generate income SFI used the talent of it's artists to do artwork for games. Steel Panthers, Age of Rifles, Jagged Alliance, etc. Things were looking better.
5) Work began on Deciples,.. they also turned to 'publishing' to help generate more money.. Things were looking good for several years..
6) IMHO they grew too fast in the development dept.(having close to 100 employees at their peak) Making the payroll was a high priority at that point because the government had been pulling all the strings and forced them to pay employees before contracts,.. As I understand it all of the money recieved from the government was conditional on creating employment.
6) BAM! as a publisher they made the mistake of investing close to 800k$$ in an external development house. They virtually lost that and this happend when things were just starting to look good.
7) This caused a massive leak in the HMS SFI and drastic measures needed to be taken.. How drastic? The company was forced (by the government comiteee that was overseeing SFI) to file for "Bankruptcy Protection" the result,.. the entire in-house dev team(s) were laid off. (100 good people lost their jobs) And the amounts due to external developers was put on hold. Afecting not just Stardock,.. Mind you they have been the most 'Verbal' in spreading the news that they felt they got the shaft.
8) No one said the developers were never going to get their due, No one said that SFI is 'Still' Working to make things right. (SFI seems to be a bit 'classier' in the sense they do not spread bad news just to vent. That is called slander.) And when the storm passes, All Stardock will need to say is "Finally we got what they owed us" But can they undo the 'Badmouthing' they perpertrated over the net? SFI gets a bad rep because thay didn't want to play the crybaby game? I know the people at SFI. They have always tried to do the right thing.

Tim, as a businessman you of all people should know that sometimes things happen beyond your control. All anyone can do is try to make things right. It happens to be a slow process. Stardock got 'wounded' but A Lot of my friends got 'Killed' when SFI was forced to shut down it's in-house dev. I have no doubt Stardock has and will recover from this event,.. but they are not making it easier for SFI to makes things right.

Nuf said,.. Cheers!

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

slander
n 1: words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another 2: an abusive attack on a person's character or good name [syn: aspersion, calumny, defamation, denigration] v : charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

Oh I get it. SFI was the good guy. The developers and the government were evil. Sorry for voicing my opinions.

Didn't have time to finish my post (the phone!) so Iam adding this edit.

David, where your logic breaks down is that

1) if they lost $800,000 and then couldn't pay their developers, then they weren't spending their money, they were spending developers money.

2) what are they doing buying Malfador when that money could go to paying developers back, if that is their priority.

Now, you can say what you want, and for all I know your facts are wrong. But I have spoken to many of their developers over the last couple of years, and I get almost the same story from most, so I tend to believe them. SF was slow in paying and underpaying before they declared bankruptcy.

And yes, I know that sometimes things happen beyond a company's control, but it sounds to me, and no one has come forward with facts that change my impressions, that the developers weren't their priority and it seems like they still aren't.

Nuf said.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I don't know anything but what I read and or have read on the net about SFI. From the sounds of it, Canada is too blame. Blame it all on Canada! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Seriously though, none of us know the first thing about what compensation Aaron has arranged for his former company. He might have been given 10,000 copies of some old game that he loved so much that he just had to have it as payment for selling Malfador. The point is, despite the past transgressions, yes mistakes were obviously made and people lost more than they should have, it’s the future that matters now. To that end, I wish SFI and Aaron the best. However, as a caveat, if they screw Aaron, and by extension the fans, I swear to God, I will resurrect this thread and give SFI the *** whipping beating of all time. That I promise! (Even if I have to do it from the grave!)

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Atrocities: "However, as a caveat, if they screw Aaron, and by extension the fans, I swear to God, I will resurrect this thread and give SFI the *** whipping beating of all time. That I promise! (Even if I have to do it from the grave!)"

Be afraid, SFI. Be very afraid. For Atrocities, death is only the beginning. And in cyberspace, no one can hear you scream...

Any other movie taglines I left out? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Hey David, you seem to have a line on this. IIRC, SF was getting tax dollars in return for creating jobs and never really had the income stream to replace the government money. And the cash ran short, they were prohibited from using monies that came from the government to pay outside debt (especially for debt outside of Canada)

Now, I also seem to recall that there were actions and judgments against them here in the states. Do you know if these were cleared by the bankruptcy? I have my doubts, Canadian courts having no jurisdiction in US state courts and such.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Too bad for Stardock you aren't a Galactic Civilizations fan. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Or to put it another way, good for Strategy First that you aren't a Galactic Civilizations fan! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Really guys. I apologize for even posting here. However, I was a developer for over 5 years and released 5 games into retail. Was treated fairly on only one, although not screwed like the Strategy First developers. It is the reason I started Shrapnel Games. So this is a subject that I have real feelings about.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

We all respect both of you, Tim and David.

I'm interested in your discourse in such a public forum (and would understand if you took it out of our purview and carried on in private).

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Well said. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

You'd better watch it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

Thanks Caduceas and Atrocities!

I have no desire to carry it on in private. I think what happened should be screamed to the world, less we forget. Unlike David, I don't believe it is Stardock's or my resposibility to do PR for Strategy First. The 'Badmouthing' is nothing but telling what happened. If one uninformed developer reads this and makes an informed decision when choosing a publisher, then I will be happy.

You know, the interesting thing is that the companies that treated me unfairly are now no more, except one. There is probably a lesson in there, huh?

Now, having said all that, I don't believe this is the place for me to carry on this discussion. These forums are for the Space Empires fateful, whom I consider my friends, to come and be merry. So cheers to all!

Oh, and drop by the Gamers Front and order a Shrapnel game! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

My mother is dying,.. what do I know,.. or care..

One fact I do know 100% true.. SFI has not disclosed or badmouthed 'ANY' of their developers and have not posted 'ANY' comments on the 'Bad press' being generated by some of their developers (some with good reason).

It seems to me, bad press like that can only hurt everyone involved. If you want/need/deserve money back from someone, using a hydrolic nail gun with 'bad press' nails to seal the said publisher's coffin is like biting off the hand that feeds you, (or in this case falied to feed you) then complaining the still havent fed you and yet they have no more hands in which to feed you. (you just bit them off remember)

With only the opinions of the 'jilted' developers being posted in what can only be called 'venting due to frustration' We are getting only one half of the story. Yes it does appear to be mass agreement that SFI did a bad thing, but I'm just saying there are 2 sides to every story, in this case the publisher cannot comment on what happened and obviously will not comment.

Let me say this,.. "Yes some developers obviously lost revenue form SFI's fiasco,.. but people seem to forget that SFI itself took a MASSIVE Hit. Compare the current situation of the 'affected developers' and SFI.. It seems to me the 'affected developers' have managed to survive in spite of this 'Ugly History' so why continue to badmouth SFI?

Like I said before the 'affected developers' were wounded.. SFI was crippled and had a major Amputation of talented people. What good can come from continuing to say SFI is a bad company, SFI did this,.. SFI had a bankruptcy.. (BTW SFI never went bankrupt, they filed for 'Bankruptcy Protection' which allowed them to do some major restructuring and save what little they could.) This whole "Let's kick the cripple" attacks on SFI are IMHO very unprofessional.

Ok, I hear it.. "What SFI did was unprofessional... blah blah blah.." But I can guarantee you there was never any 'malicious intent' on the part of SFI. All these dev's posting SFI is bad, they screwed me, etc, sure sounds malicious to me. and that my friend is very unprofessional.

Anyways, I really don't like one sided arguements with no comments from the 'opposition' so this whole discussion is 100% pointless.

But hey, My mom is dying,.. I could not care less.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

No offensive but on the limited info I have I would place my money on Mr. Brooks opinion. That is with the guy that has game design and publishing experience.

My interest in this discussion (before anyone asks) is obvious. The outcome of this move by MM will affect the future of a game I enjoy so much! I certainly wish MM and Aaron the best of luck, and I hope that he has taken steps to prevent the demise of his company or the commercialization of the SE line.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

David has a lot of game development experience, being an industry artist and all. Made artwork for Starfury, Dungeon Odyssey, and SE5 lately. Plenty of work before that. I don't know if he has personal experience with publishing games, but he is certianly not lacking in game industry experience.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

No offense but the flaw in your reasoning is crystal clear.

I am an Anthropologist but couldn’t tell you much about how to dig up a site. It doesn’t mean I don’t know jack just that I would have to refer you to someone in that area with the experience. See my point?

Anyway I was not attacking Gervais; only stating my feelings that Mr Brooks and his opinion is the one I lean toward based on his apparently far superior experience.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

It should be noted that David is Aaron's right hand man.

And David has had the most contact with strat of anyone here, except possibly Aaron himself.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

President_Elect_Shang said:
No offense but the flaw in your reasoning is crystal clear.

I was just stating the fact that David has plenty of experience with the game industry. He may not have as much experience with the actual act of publishing the games, but that doesn't mean you can correctly say (or imply) that he has none.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I don’t think I was implying he had none. Maybe I worded it wrong or you read it wrong. I thought it was pretty clear in saying Mr. Brooks had more experience. Anyway I see this is becoming passionate so I am going to drop it here and now.

My two MAIN points remain: (1) I hope SE is not turned into a commercialized product for the mainstream game player; and by extension the aspects that appeal to people who create mods lost in the process. (2) I sincerely hope MM (Aaron) is not lost with this venture and the SE games die with it (him).

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

I would say that we have whipped this horse to death. Lets not dwell any more on the past, but rather look toward the future. I say allow it, the future, tell the story.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

BTW does everyone remember the E3 beta of a flight sim that they released to retail as a final product and then lied about it saying it was a "Special Wal-Mart Version". You know the version that didn't work and they wouldn't support.

I think that speaks volumes.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

That's fine with me Atrocities but I am not about to say Strategy First is a quality company, no matter how much I personally like Aaron.

Re: Strategy First buys Malfador Machinations
 

President_Elect_Shang said:
I don’t think I was implying he had none. Maybe I worded it wrong or you read it wrong. I thought it was pretty clear in saying Mr. Brooks had more experience.

The phrase "That is with the guy that has game design and publishing experience" directly implies that the other guy has none. I see now that you meant to say more, but its not what you had said, thus leading to my post refuting it.

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

four surprises in this thread

with one plot twist and a MacGuffin and we could remake it into a heist film

Re: Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations
 

Ok, so who would play me in the film?