[Tim Brooks]

Since this is your business and you would know if anyone does is there larger market for games like this?

Not with this level of difficulty. But you must define 'larger market'. If you are comparing this to what a really awesome FPS would do at retail, well there is no comparison. A good turn based strategy game would be considered successful with 35,000 units at full retail (in other words not discounted for the bargain bins or put out at $9.00 in a Jewel Case). An FPS could do 10 to 20 times that amount. And that is what a big publisher is looking for -those numbers in the 6 figures, not a 'measly' 35,000 units. And the reality is much worse with the 'average' game at retail selling under 5,000 units (and that counts in the 6 figure FPSs).

...and if I see one more RTS (1.) gather wood, food and Iron 2.) Build big army 3.) click on enemy and send big army....wow strategy! ) ...

But that is exactly what a large publisher wants in a 'strategy' title.

You wrote the code for Soldiers at War right?

Not that one. I was just hired to do the original design. What it ended up being was quite different than I had envisioned.

Just wondering do you see young people (18-25) buying your games or are you just serving an established older market?

Yes younger people buy our games, but not in huge numbers. I think that a gamer has to mature past the twitch addiction and start wanting to slow things down a little and think and that usually doesn't happen until most of the Console Generation reaches their 30's.

You know we have been in business now for almost 5 years. We are doing well. Our biggest drawback (other than the economy as a whole) is that there just aren't that many good strategy / wargames out there. We turn down alot that doesn't meet our criteria of being a 'game'.

[ February 18, 2004, 22:40: Message edited by: Tim Brooks ]