Thank you Stormbinder!

Annette · #1 August 12th, 2004, 04:26 PM

Oh my word, Arryn. I usually don't get involved in these discussions, but your post caught my eye and I feel compelled to speak. I disagree that Illwinter may be compared to Paradox. Dominions 2 has been said to offer "the most gameplay of any 4X game available anywhere" (Computer Gaming World, Sept '04).

And please don't compare Shrapnel Games with Strategy First. Paradox has dumped SF - the grapevine intimates because of unpaid royalties (http://www.wargamer.com/news/news.asp?nid=1002).
Stardock left for that reason (http://www.joeuser.com/index.asp?c=1&AID=21895&u=0). Just this week, LegendStudios posted on their forums:

"Strategy First Inc, our North America publisher, have not paid us a single cent since we sign our contract and what's more, they have not spend anything in ads and the distribution of the game is even worse (that's why the servers were not very busy). There is no way to get the game in big stores and even Amazon takes 2 months to deliver! Completely amazing.

So due to this situation and the economical problem we are suffering, we are forced to close our servers for Internet gaming. We have tried to arrange a solution with Strategy First but they refuse to find a solution."
(http://www.lsgames.com/wartimes/eng/...opic.php?t=243)

Don't be fooled by appearances. It's not how much money (or the number of programmers) a company has that makes it successful. It's understanding your product, your market and your customers that's key to successful publishing. And it's creativity, intellegence and dedication which make development teams great.

Just my dollar and 2 cents...

Arryn · #2 August 12th, 2004, 04:43 PM

Sorry, Annette. I had absolutely no intention of offending. Personally, I detest Strategy First. They have lousy customer support. Perhaps I should have made that point in my post. Another SF case of unpaid royalties involves JA2:Wildfire.

And I agree with:

Quote:

It's not how much money (or the number of programmers) a company has that makes it successful. It's understanding your product, your market and your customers that's key to successful publishing. And it's creativity, intellegence and dedication which make development teams great.

But in all honesty, computer gaming is a business, and money does matter. Having more of it certainly doesn't hurt. Assuming that the points you mention are covered first, of course. Case in point for a failure on all counts is Atari, Quicksilver, and MOO3. Large budget and bad everything else. I won't rehash the details, they are very well known.

BTW, my comparison of IW to Paradox was intended to show how a small dev shop can grow. IW is by far a better shop than Paradox. And Paradox is better than most others. (What that says about most others I'll leave to your imagination.)

Gandalf Parker · #3 August 12th, 2004, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Oh my word, Arryn. I usually don't get involved in these discussions, but your post caught my eye and I feel compelled to speak.

Heehee Arryn brought Annette out of lurk mode. I can just picture her hands on her hips and fire in her eyes.

That was interesting info though.

Arryn · #4 August 12th, 2004, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Heehee Arryn brought Annette out of lurk mode. I can just picture her hands on her hips and fire in her eyes. That was interesting info though.

Nice to know I serve a purpose. hehe

Indeed it was. I happen to play HoI, and I'm curious as to what this means for HoI2 which is in dev now? I hadn't known that Paradox had dumped SF. Good for Paradox. If they have any brains they'll sign with Shrapnel. Or at least Matrix (cough, choke).

Annette · #5 August 12th, 2004, 04:57 PM

Boy, Arryn, you really know how to push my buttons

How do you do that? Certainly, no apology necessary. I'm sorry if I've spoken out of context. Back to my cell before anyone notices I've escaped! (See why they don't let me post much??)

Gandalf Parker · #6 August 12th, 2004, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Boy, Arryn, you really know how to push my buttons

How do you do that? Certainly, no apology necessary. I'm sorry if I've spoken out of context. Back to my cell before anyone notices I've escaped! (See why they don't let me post much??)

Jumping in when someone mentions Shrapnel comparatively, or one of your developers? Heck I thought that WAS in your job description.

You mean we cant threaten people with "shhhhh before Annette hears you"?
(hopefully everyone knows Im just giving my boss a hard time. Ive never heard anything but nice about the way you handle customer requests)

Arryn · #7 August 12th, 2004, 05:21 PM

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Boy, Arryn, you really know how to push my buttons How do you do that?

I've been known to have that effect on people, at times.

I'm sure the boys at IW would concur with you re: my dubious 'talent' for such things.

OTOH, it's so much easier to misconstrue something written on the 'Net than when the exact same words are spoken in person. Nature of the medium and lack of visual/audio cues (body language, tone, etc.).

What this small event shows is just how responsive you folks at Shrapnel are. That's a good thing. (Consider that a compliment, in case I'm not being obvious enough.)

Annette · #8 August 12th, 2004, 05:48 PM

It's been a tough week...how 'bout a group hug?

BTW...I know I should be using quotes but am the absolute Last to figure out these new forums!

Arryn · #9 August 12th, 2004, 06:35 PM

Quote:

It's been a tough week...how 'bout a group hug?

{hug}

Quote:

BTW...I know I should be using quotes but am the absolute Last to figure out these new forums!

The new quote system isn't as friendly as the old one. I especially dislike having to manually insert BOLD tags for the quoted text. Sigh.