Strategy First acquires Malfador Machinations - Page 3

President_Elect_Shang · #21 April 5th, 2006, 02:02 AM

I have to wonder why nothing is said about this on the MM site?

Will · #22 April 5th, 2006, 02:09 AM

Because Aaron has always been pretty bad about updating his website. Sometimes it seems like he might be afraid of this "Internet" thing, and he just sticks to what he knows best: making good strategy games.

But, I'm a little bit hesitant to believe the article. While it takes some arm twisting for Aaron to update, you would think purchasing a development studio, even one that is basically a one-man house with some contract workers, would make SFI's website in a press release. But, nada.

Until at least one of the parties involved confirms, it's just rumor and hearsay.

Rollo · #23 April 5th, 2006, 02:11 AM

yeah, my thoughts exactly.

I mean, how reliable is Wargamer as a source? They say MM announced it. But how and when? I see nothing on SFirst or MMs website.

Thermodyne · #24 April 5th, 2006, 03:05 AM

Well, if it turns out to be bull droppings, we can all go to kwok's house and let him splain it to us

Atrocities · #25 April 5th, 2006, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Imperator Fyron said:
Rather than speculate, I am awaiting reply from the man himself. I recommend you all do the same (wait, that is).

If true, I feel a bit betrayed. If not true, they got me. (Praying that it is not true.)

Atrocities · #26 April 5th, 2006, 03:42 AM

A clever well timed April Fools day hoax?

Quote:

Aaron Hall and Malfador Machinations announced today

Where? Where did he announce this?

Quote:

"We have monitored the consumer acceptance of the Space Empires franchise since entering into an exclusive distribution and publishing agreement with Malfador in early 2005. The remarkable, ongoing sales of existing games and the tremendous, built-up anticipation for the release of Space Empires V give us confidence that the intellectual property we have acquired will have long-term value as the preeminent space genre game franchise.

"consumer aceptance of the Space Empires franchise since entering into an exclusive distribution and publishing agreement."

Really now, after sitting on the games re-release and only after about seven or eight months of interent sales?

"The remarkable, ongoing sales of existing games and the tremendous, built-up anticipation for the release of Space Empires V"

Oh give me a break, their forums are on life support so what are they basing this off of? Certainly not insider info.

And they are a canadian company. The taxes involved with being employeed by them and working in the US, especially CA, would be a nightmare.

My vote is that this is just a well played, brillant April Fools day hoax. Good job Chris.

Tim Brooks · #27 April 5th, 2006, 05:55 AM

NOTE: I am posting as a concerned fan of the game here, there is no inside info here and these are personal opinions, NOT official Shrapnel Games opinions.

Wow! Interesting, to say the least,huh?

Quote:

I mean, how reliable is Wargamer as a source? They say MM announced it. But how and when? I see nothing on SFirst or MMs website.

It is also here:
Game Tab

And SF is very bad about announcing their own releases. Usually takes them a cople of days to get the 'news' up.

Quote:

This could actually be a move for the better. At any rate, I hope Aaron has gotten a good deal out of this.

I hope you are right. Every game produced by SF has been a big disappointment, including the JA series. That one was really bad and I liked that series!

Good deal? Hmm, sounds to me like one of three possible scenarios:

1. He made lost of $$$$ and that is why he did this.
2. He was tired of the struggle as an independent developer.
3. He needed the increased support (dollars again) to finish the game.

Quote:

However, at least a company with a proven track record of listening to the users is the one to aquire it.

Wow, where did that come from? That is not how I would characterize SF. Maybe I've missed something...

Here are my concerns:

1) SF promised SEIV at retail. This hasn't happened to myknowledge. Rumors are that they are having a hard time getting back into retail after the bankruptcy due to distributors still being owed money from before the bankruptcy.

2) They are offering alot of titles at a huge discount through these 6 packs. Titles are not selling and they need cash is my guess.

3) I wonder if they will even be around in 2-3 years. They have already played the reorganization card. Another management slip up and they will have to sell themselves off or close the doors. Of course, SEV alone, if handled properly, will go along way to making them solid.

Good luck Aaron. Pulling for 'ya!

David E. Gervais · #28 April 5th, 2006, 07:52 AM

Read a fuller article here...

Press Release

I'm Sure Aaron knows what he is doing, and remember SFI is now fully under the reins od Silverstar Holdings.. Before you bash SFI,.. check out their new boss, Silverstar has an exceptionnal reputation.

Nuf said, cheers!

P.S. Silverstar Holdings last public financial report,.. looks like they sitting on 22mil in assets. So I'd say they are here to stay.

Atrocities · #29 April 5th, 2006, 08:11 AM

Ah boy, so its no joke. Well s**t. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. It just seems sad somehow that it has happened now. I really have mixed emotions about this and all though I wish Aaron the best, I cannot help the sense I am feeling that something great has just died. Like I just lost my best friend or something. I know, its like he just got married and no longer will be around to hang with.

I hope he got a load of $$ for this. So David what does this mean for you? Are you still going to part of SE V's future? Are you going to be a part of SFI to?

Thanks Tim, your comments do address some very real concerns about SFI's future. I do wish them the best but I simply don't know.

Quote:

I guess I'm just nervous about the loss of our influence on future patches/titles losing our direct line to Aaron. And the potential that the title might be controlled by someone who isn't familiar with the series

Yup, you are 100% correct here CK. I am really more so dissapointed over being nervous about the loss of our influence with Aaron and the development of the Space Empires games. I think this is what is eating me up inside at the moment. The thought that SEV is now firmly in the hands of the bean counters, no offense SFI, just seems wrong to me. Its quite possible, in order to save $$, that they will force Aaron into dropping support for the game long before he would have done so if had remaned on his own.

Loosing our direct line to Aaron is something that time will prove to be a truly great loss to us all. However, I do wish Aaron the best of success in his new job and role at SFI. (Say, are they hiring?)

It was a real joy ride we had with the freedom and independence of being part of space empires over the last five and half years. But like all rides, eventually they end. I just hate to see the passing of this era of independent game development.

This seems to be a very sad day for many of us. Its SFI's ball now, so I wish them all the luck in the world.

Tim Brooks · #30 April 5th, 2006, 09:17 AM

NOTE: I am posting as a concerned fan of the game here, there is no inside info here and these are personal opinions, NOT official Shrapnel Games opinions.

Quote:

Before you bash SFI,.. check out their new boss, Silverstar has an exceptionnal reputation.

If it all it took was a company with huge assests, then all those publishers (remember the movie studios) of late 1980s and early 1990s would own the industry.

Name something that SF has done right since the takeover. They are bundling flawed software into 6 packs, rather than taking it off the market, they are releasing games that need major pathches immediately, they are promising games at retail and not delivering, and they went to Steam.