[Tim Brooks]

My question is - Has any larger publisher/developer approached you guys on developing this game further?

It amazes me that so many people think this is the way to make money. Large publishers don't pay great royalties. I designed and developed 5 games at retail with large publishers. Space Empires IV has earned the developer more in royalties than I made off 5 games through large publishers. Dominions II is on that same track. That is why I started Shrapnel Games - so developers could make money.

Remember that a big publisher also typically means an even smaller share per sold unit to the developers. Unless you can count on massively increased sales, going to a big publisher can actually end up costing you money despite increased market penetration.

Oh so true. The truth is, to get Dominions II the numbers at retail to make even the kind of money we pay would require the game being 'dumbed down' - it's 'too' much of a strategy game.

Depends on whether the publisher is willing (unlikely as that is) to front the devs some money to improve their product(s) and/or to develop new products.

Most definitely they would. This is how they make sure they own the code and don't have to pay large royalties. Of course they would ask for less depth too.

Actually I think small publishers like Shrapnel Games do a great job of supporting thier developers (Where more of the money goes back to the developers where it should!).

Thank you!

I would say my first pic for Indie game distribution would be Matrix games. They have established themselves as a quality outfit.

Then why are so many of their developers jumping ship? The ones that have contacted us haven't even received royalty payments on time and have said they would never do another game with Matrix. Are you a developer with them? I would like to know how you have this knowledge.