oooo aaron! - looks like moo3 is flopping... ;) do se5 faster?

Baron Munchausen · #1 February 27th, 2003, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cirvol:
http://www.ina-community.com/forums/...hreadid=267505

thats a thread about many new moo3 owners that are dissatisfied - you all might want to point them to se4gold

anyway, i'd like to know what you all think?

Unfortunately, the mis-adventures of the MOO series might hurt all 4X games rather than help its rivals. Most people are hypnotized by eye-candy 'real time' 3D games these days, you know. Hearing that MOO 3 was 'a flop' might convince them that 4X games aren't any good and they should stick with the click-fest eye-candy type games. Then Galactic Civilization and other pending 4X games will get much less chance to prove themselves.

I'm sure MM will be reading reviews and listening to opinons about MOO 3 to learn what they did wrong, though.

[ February 27, 2003, 18:26: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

David E. Gervais · #2 February 27th, 2003, 08:27 PM

One thing that makes a big difference, Moo2, Moo3, Alpha Centauri, Gal Civ etc are all 'retail' products as in 'on the shelves of many stores out there.' SE4 as far as I know has only been available through Online purchase. That makes a whole lot of difference in how visible a product is in the public eye. I would be willing to bet that if SE4:Gold hit retail shelves sales would dramatically increase. Heck if it was able to top $500,000 sales just through the net, I'd say it still has lots of potential.

..just another of my humble opinions..

Cheers!

P.S. I really hope that SE:5 hits not only the Online stores, but also makes it's way into the retail outlets. There's a whole new audience out there, and that means a lot of sales potential!

Fyron · #3 February 27th, 2003, 08:31 PM

Yes, and that would make lots of money for the retail stores, and for the retail distributers. But not much for MM at all. This is why SE4 was not taken to retail. The developers pretty much get the shaft when their games' are sold retail.

gregebowman · #4 February 27th, 2003, 08:38 PM

Yeah, I didn't even know of the Space Empire series of games until I read a review in PC Gamer. I then went to Electronic Boutique, where I seem to get the majority of my games, and they had never even heard of it. I then checked out the website, downloaded the demo, played it and became so damn frustrated with not knowing what the heck I was doing that I ordered the game, figuring the manual would explain all!! Ha, ha, little did I know....

sachmo · #5 February 27th, 2003, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregebowman:
Yeah, I didn't even know of the Space Empire series of games until I read a review in PC Gamer. I then went to Electronic Boutique, where I seem to get the majority of my games, and they had never even heard of it. I then checked out the website, downloaded the demo, played it and became so damn frustrated with not knowing what the heck I was doing that I ordered the game, figuring the manual would explain all!! Ha, ha, little did I know....

Ouch! Bad assumption!

Cirvol · #6 February 27th, 2003, 10:24 PM

lol, ya but now you luv se4 eh?

i just wish aaron fixed general ai and combat resolution/strategy/initiative issues - imho the 2 weakest parts of se4gold

David E. Gervais · #7 February 27th, 2003, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Yes, and that would make lots of money for the retail stores, and for the retail distributers. But not much for MM at all. This is why SE4 was not taken to retail. The developers pretty much get the shaft when their games' are sold retail.

My main point was 'visability' products that are only available through the net have a much more 'limited' audience. (compared to retail!) As to getting the shaft, I'd say it all depends on the contract between the developer and the publisher. Yes in general the developer gets less than publisher, but in most cases it's the publisher that is paying for the packaging/duplication and responsable for finding a distribution network. So, if it costs approx $5 per copy (CD, CD case, box, manual, all rwapped up in a neat package) the developer might only see $5-$10 per copy. The publisher will most certainly take as much (after expenses) or slightly more for his share. For example, $5(dev), + $15(pub $10 after expenses), + $5(dist), +$24.95(retail profit) = sale price $49.95 So, in this example as you can see the 'Retailer' gets the best deal/profit. In the case of a developer like Blizzard, they demand $20/copy and their publisher in turn asks for $25 and the distributors ask for their $5 then the retailer (who payes $50 for the game feels it necessary to make less profit in order to sell the game...Final price $79.95 to $89.95) Retailers don't like the 'big' companies mainly because they are forced to lower their profit to ensure the sale of the game... but I digress..

You must remember, the sales potential is much greater in retail, and the $5 the developer gets per/copy can end up being much more in the long run than a net only product. In this case I suggesteds that the game be available in both mediums. SO Aaron or MM wouldn't be making less, they would be opening up a new source of revenue in addition to the net only route!

In effect, If Aaron/MM want $12/copy He/they can get that, the only drawback is this will push up the final retail price. But if the game is good most consumers will be willing to pay the price.

Nuf said!

Cheers!

[ February 27, 2003, 20:36: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]