Question for the Developers?

[Pirateiam]

First I would like to thank the developers for creating such an in-depth, intelligent, entertaining game. In these days of shallow eye-candy games that are mass marketed this has been a breath of fresh air.
I have been computer strategy gaming since the days of Empire on my University's mainframe. I have watched the strategy gaming industry go from hard core strategy games being the main stream, too now when it seems that we are a niche market. My question is - Has any larger publisher/developer approached you guys on developing this game further? While I have no problem with the graphics and interface, the sad fact is that the larger market seems to expect eye candy with thier strategy games. I believe if you two were given an art budget and marketing budget of a games like Age of Wonders or Civilizations you would captivate the Strategy Gaming industry. Heck I am so impressed with the potential of this game that I am thinking of selling my business and home and giving you the money myself lol! I am not sure if Shrapnel games has an Art group or if they even get invlolved with development but someone sure should. If no one has approached you guys yet it just reinforces my suspicion that the gaming industry is being run by over caffinated 14 year olds and marketing mental midgets.

Great game guys keep it up!

[ February 17, 2004, 17:12: Message edited by: Pirateiam ]

[johan osterman]

No big publisher has shown any interest. When dom 1 was being released a few major publishers were approached, IIRC most of them did not bother to answer.

[Arryn]

Originally posted by johan osterman:
No big publisher has shown any interest.

Have you checked with Strategy First since the reviews in CGW and CGM?

[Pirateiam]

I am curious, I know you two do this as a side job. How much of a budget would you need to say quit your day job and hire a few artists and maybe some office personel?

Was the game engine written in C++?

[Peter Ebbesen]

Originally posted by Arryn:

quote:

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Originally posted by johan osterman:
No big publisher has shown any interest.

Have you checked with Strategy First since the reviews in CGW and CGM?

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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.

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Peter Ebbesen:

quote:

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Originally posted by Arryn:
Have you checked with Strategy First since the reviews in CGW and CGM?

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.

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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. If not, then there's no upside to dealing with a bigger publisher, IMO.

I asked the question out of curiosity only, not as a suggestion that they should vigorously pursue.

[Pirateiam]

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!). What I think Illwinter needs is to develop this full time and with some help. It is amazing that they have pulled this off doing this part time. Could you imagine this game with them doing it full time with a small staff helping them??

[ February 17, 2004, 17:48: Message edited by: Pirateiam ]

[vanedor]

Amen Pirate, amen

[En Forcer]

There are other distributors out there who are better to deal with.

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

And D2 would complement their theme/genre direction very nicely.

[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.