Richard and MM - Looking for a good publisher?

jpinard · #1 January 4th, 2001, 03:01 PM

I'd highly suggest looking at Godgames. Triumph Studios is very small, and they were pretty satisfied with Godgames' publishing of Age of Wonders. Their credo is very honorable.

Otherwise your next best bet is Bluebyte. They will go the distance for a product they believe in. Look at the devlopment of IL-2 Stormkovich... It's creator's name is Oleg Maddox. You may want to speak with him about how he handled sharing his "baby".

Another EXCELLENT company would be (surprisingly) Bethesda Softworks. They are helping the small developer too, especially Akella. They're another small Russian outfit, and they've had extremely good relations and done well with their new partnership with Bethsoft (Sea Dogs, Age of Sail II).

Your Last option might be Empire. They're work with Rowan's flight sims and their series has been decent, but I certainly would not recommend them as much as the above 3.

Last but not least. DO NOT GET DESPARATE! Keep Space Empires and all its rights to yourself. It's not worth sacrificing for retail coverage.

If you need contact information, e-mails or anything else from the four companies above let me know. I can get you in contact with both the developers themselves (ask them in private how they feel about their publisher), and also several people within the Publishing Houses (not just the Business Cronies).

jpinard@home.com

Richard · #2 January 4th, 2001, 05:17 PM

We would never go with Empire after our workings with them on 101.

We do have several companies in mind and more than likely we would be looking for a distribution partner than a real publisher. And of course we are looking for a fair deal

.

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

Nyx · #3 January 4th, 2001, 06:50 PM

Drengin.net run by Brad Wardell of Stardock Systems is a great distribution idea.

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Compete in the Space Empires IV World Championship at www.twingalaxies.com.

Atrocities · #4 January 4th, 2001, 09:16 PM

I had no idea that publishing and distributing a game could be so full of greif.

Most companies are out to cover their asses, and take advantage of the smaller guy, namily the developer, and that is just sick and wrong.

Most LARGE companies today started out small. Look at ID, Serria, and Activision. They all were small one hit wonders but somehow made it big with the right dealings. I wonder how much that cost them?

Anywho, good luck on the hunt for a partner, I hope one is found that will benifit MM, Shrpanel, very well.

Richard · #5 January 4th, 2001, 09:31 PM

If you want to hear horror stories about publishers try our Developer's Corner series from our President Tim Brooks...

www.shrapnelgames.com/tdc.htm

Oh and I know about Brad's setup, he has a nice company growing over there...

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

Trancejeremy · #6 January 5th, 2001, 12:30 AM

Activision actually started as a maker of Atari 2600 games. Hardly a 1 hit wonder, most their games for the 2600 were good and sold very well.

Of course, since then they've pretty much gone downhill.

Warlord Adamus · #7 January 5th, 2001, 02:15 AM

What about Matrixgames ? Must..have..Combat leader now..

Richard · #8 January 5th, 2001, 06:13 PM

Matrix is an only Internet publisher just like us so I don't think is an option

.

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

HAL · #9 January 5th, 2001, 06:31 PM

Hasn't Interplay inked a series of deals recently? JA2: Unfinished Business comes to mind.

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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.