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Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 1:44:13 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/28/2005
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Any American Revolution / War of 1812 titles on the horizon?

I think Napoleon and WW2 titles have been done to death... so much so that people have been leaning away from those titles. Im shocked many companies are still focusing on these eras.

I recommend focusing more On The American Civil War & The American Revolution. Both conflicts have large audiences as well as tourists who visit the battlefields. The only thing necessary for Publishers and Developers is to work out a merchant contract with such Sites to offer for sale the developers titles. I have seen all types of media fly off the shelves at Visitors Centers Gift Shops... and to have a gaming section devoted to the military enthusiast... would bring in good profit.

Another area I dont see any investment in is Reenactments. I have recently been to the Gettysburg reenactment. I noticied that approx 30 - 50,000 people in attendance with about a mile or 2 of vendors tents and booths everywhere around the battlefield. Many of the attendees were young to middle age 20 - 45... with a keen passion for history. Why is it many publishers and developers do not visit such events. To place 1 booth at this event with a few Civil War titles... would make a killing. Im shocked no one has yet to invest in this field.
Post #: 1
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 1:51:03 AM   
PunkReaper


Posts: 1085
Joined: 8/23/2006
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

I recommend focusing more On The American Civil War & The American Revolution


I thought that both of these subjects have been done to death. No problem with Napoleon games but I agree it would be good to see some variation in historic subject manner. War of the Roses and English Civil War spring to mind.....Even the cold war wouldn't go amiss.

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 2
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 2:07:34 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/28/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper

quote:

I recommend focusing more On The American Civil War & The American Revolution


I thought that both of these subjects have been done to death. No problem with Napoleon games but I agree it would be good to see some variation in historic subject manner. War of the Roses and English Civil War spring to mind.....Even the cold war wouldn't go amiss.

The American Civil War has been done a great deal... but for a good reason. There are many more people that are interested in The Civil War than any other war. Reenactor for the Civil War trump any other reenactment period. The Gettysburg reenactment brings in approx 15,000 - 20,000 reenactors each year. So to develop game after game for The Civil war... is more logical than to develop a game on Napoleon or other foreign war based on the continuing interest In The American Civil War.

The American Revolution only has a few titles on the market. Campaign 1776, BOA & BOA 2, For Liberty are all that make up the current titles for Strategy Wargaming. If a developer does develop a Strategic and Tactical game for The American Revolution and makes the gameplay work... they will corner the market on that era.

BOA/BOA 2 came close to that... but not including a Tactical element as well as a few other issues... A Treasury system needs to be improved, movement system (30 days per turn is too much), as well as a few others. The object of a game is to bring the reality of war to the gamer... but then again not too much reality... a fine balance.




(in reply to PunkReaper)
Post #: 3
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 2:28:39 AM   
Erik Rutins

 

Posts: 37503
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From: Vermont, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD
Any American Revolution / War of 1812 titles on the horizon?


Did you miss this one?

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/360/details/Birth.of.America.2:.Wars.in.America

_____________________________

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(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 4
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 2:36:33 AM   
Gil R.


Posts: 10821
Joined: 4/1/2005
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Believe me, you're not the first to think of trying to sell computer games in such stores. I've looked into it already and, to give you the bottom line, it's hardly worth the effort. These places insist on receiving the lion's share of the profit from anything they sell... and that assumes that they actually begin to sell a product after an approval process that can take well over a year, due to the need for the Park Service to sign off on it at each site where it is being considered (i.e., a single game has to be approved over and over and over again!). And that approval depends on the product, whatever it is, having "educational" value -- and these places tend to have a fairly narrow definition of "educational." Plus, some of these sites told me that they used to carry computer games that didn't sell, and are therefore hesitant to experiment with wargames again. I know that I, for one, have given up on my dreams of becoming rich through selling FOF at Civil War battlefields...

I definitely agree with you that our little niche market of wargaming needs to find ways to expand, but I'm quite certain that this is not it.

On the other hand, I do think that getting a booth at a reenactment could be far more lucrative, assuming that the cost of a booth at such events isn't super-expensive. And it well might be, so you might have to sell dozens and dozens of units just to break even.

< Message edited by Gil R. -- 9/25/2008 2:41:35 AM >


_____________________________

Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 5
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 3:45:22 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins


quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD
Any American Revolution / War of 1812 titles on the horizon?


Did you miss this one?

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/360/details/Birth.of.America.2:.Wars.in.America


No I listed that in my above post... BOA 2

Good game... but improvements are needed. One thing developers need to realize Board style games will not work for the PC audience. Theres too much resources in the computer... developers need to start utilizing it.

As I said above whats needed in BOA 2:

A. A Tactical system

B. A Treasury System

C. Production and Maintenance system - To allow the players to form regiments and keep them paid per treasury.

D. Turn period needs to be reduced to approx . 1 week intervals.

E. Exploit the computer resources by developing a upgraded supply system (Have supply lines developed into the title), better diplomacy features and interaction is needed, allow the player to increase/decrease taxes, Add special events such as Declaration of Independence, field black troops. etc.

This is but a few.

Developers need to look at the whole industry. See whats out there. Look at Hearts of Iron 2, Total War Series, Koei Liberty or Death, Civil War General 2, Victoria Empire Under The Sun, Incredible Simulations, etc. ... see what features gamers most enjoyed... see which sections you could use or modify to fit your title. See how the engine will work around such features to produce the needed result. Developers need to spend more time
researching the design concept for their titles.



(in reply to Erik Rutins)
Post #: 6
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 4:03:26 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/28/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Believe me, you're not the first to think of trying to sell computer games in such stores. I've looked into it already and, to give you the bottom line, it's hardly worth the effort. These places insist on receiving the lion's share of the profit from anything they sell... and that assumes that they actually begin to sell a product after an approval process that can take well over a year, due to the need for the Park Service to sign off on it at each site where it is being considered (i.e., a single game has to be approved over and over and over again!). And that approval depends on the product, whatever it is, having "educational" value -- and these places tend to have a fairly narrow definition of "educational." Plus, some of these sites told me that they used to carry computer games that didn't sell, and are therefore hesitant to experiment with wargames again. I know that I, for one, have given up on my dreams of becoming rich through selling FOF at Civil War battlefields...

I definitely agree with you that our little niche market of wargaming needs to find ways to expand, but I'm quite certain that this is not it.

On the other hand, I do think that getting a booth at a reenactment could be far more lucrative, assuming that the cost of a booth at such events isn't super-expensive. And it well might be, so you might have to sell dozens and dozens of units just to break even.


Gil ...

As per selling products per Park Service Gift shops ... nowadays its who you know. If you have a friend or two up the ladder in that service... you may get that process simplified, but until then ... as you said... it will be difficult. What a good alternative always is and is readily available is main street and surrounding stores. Gettysburg for example... has a large town ... all devoted to the battle. The town lives on the income of tourism. The Park and Vistors Center account for approx 40 - 50 % of the total number of tourists at any current time. The other 50% are touring the musuems that surround the battlefield. These shops swarm with visitors... so much so that many known authors such as Jeff Sharra ... do public signing frequently there. Many of these shops turn up a high profit. What I recommend is if you recieve difficulty with The Park Service... look to these shops on the outskirts of the park and throughout main street. If you are able to develop a merchant contract a few of these Musuems and Learning Centers ... the profit gained would exceed what you would derive from selling at The Park service.

The reenactment field booths and tents are inexpensive. If you tour these areas you will come to see that local small business shops which are based in the main town are able to afford space. Also Setting up your presence at these events would be less of a hassle since you deal with the owner of the land and not the government. Many reenactments are done on 'leased' lands provided by a private owner.



< Message edited by JeanNYGUARD -- 9/25/2008 4:04:35 AM >

(in reply to Gil R.)
Post #: 7
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 4:10:20 AM   
Gil R.


Posts: 10821
Joined: 4/1/2005
Status: offline
Comments below.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Believe me, you're not the first to think of trying to sell computer games in such stores. I've looked into it already and, to give you the bottom line, it's hardly worth the effort. These places insist on receiving the lion's share of the profit from anything they sell... and that assumes that they actually begin to sell a product after an approval process that can take well over a year, due to the need for the Park Service to sign off on it at each site where it is being considered (i.e., a single game has to be approved over and over and over again!). And that approval depends on the product, whatever it is, having "educational" value -- and these places tend to have a fairly narrow definition of "educational." Plus, some of these sites told me that they used to carry computer games that didn't sell, and are therefore hesitant to experiment with wargames again. I know that I, for one, have given up on my dreams of becoming rich through selling FOF at Civil War battlefields...

I definitely agree with you that our little niche market of wargaming needs to find ways to expand, but I'm quite certain that this is not it.

On the other hand, I do think that getting a booth at a reenactment could be far more lucrative, assuming that the cost of a booth at such events isn't super-expensive. And it well might be, so you might have to sell dozens and dozens of units just to break even.


Gil ...

As per selling products per Park Service Gift shops ... nowadays its who you know. If you have a friend or two up the ladder in that service... you may get that process simplified, but until then ... as you said... it will be difficult. What a good alternative always is and is readily available is main street and surrounding stores. Gettysburg for example... has a large town ... all devoted to the battle. The town lives on the income of tourism. The Park and Vistors Center account for approx 40 - 50 % of the total number of tourists at any current time. The other 50% are touring the musuems that surround the battlefield. These shops swarm with visitors... so much so that many known authors such as Jeff Sharra ... do public signing frequently there. Many of these shops turn up a high profit. What I recommend is if you recieve difficulty with The Park Service... look to these shops on the outskirts of the park and throughout main street. If you are able to develop a merchant contract a few of these Musuems and Learning Centers ... the profit gained would exceed what you would derive from selling at The Park service.

Interesting idea about the stores. They'd probably be more decisive than a federal bureaucracy! Of course, this assumes that a store owner will believe that he can move enough units to make it worthwhile to devote shelf space to a product. But if there are one or two believers out there...

The reenactment field booths and tents are inexpensive. If you tour these areas you will come to see that local small business shops which are based in the main town are able to afford space. Also Setting up your presence at these events would be less of a hassle since you deal with the owner of the land and not the government. Many reenactments are done on 'leased' lands provided by a private owner.

That may be true, but you have to include travel costs, hotel costs, etc. (which I forgot to mention in my previous post). Personally, I'd love to go even if we only broke even, since then it would be a free trip to a reenactment!



_____________________________

Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 8
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/25/2008 5:24:06 AM   
Hertston


Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD

Any American Revolution / War of 1812 titles on the horizon?

I think Napoleon and WW2 titles have been done to death... so much so that people have been leaning away from those titles. Im shocked many companies are still focusing on these eras.

I recommend focusing more On The American Civil War & The American Revolution. Both conflicts have large audiences as well as tourists who visit the battlefields.



I don't think your assessment is correct. There are as many Civil War titles as Napoleonic ones, indeed a quick finger-count only levels the score if you include naval games. And much as I would like to see a move away from WW2 there is no evidence at all there is a mass desire for that; indeed quite the contrary (consider Combat Mission as an example). WW2 titles, all things considered, generally sell much better than those relating to any other era. As to the American Revolution it may have a large audience in the US but, frankly, that outside the US is very small compared with any of the three alternatives mentioned.

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 9
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 12:43:29 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/28/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hertston

quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD

Any American Revolution / War of 1812 titles on the horizon?

I think Napoleon and WW2 titles have been done to death... so much so that people have been leaning away from those titles. Im shocked many companies are still focusing on these eras.

I recommend focusing more On The American Civil War & The American Revolution. Both conflicts have large audiences as well as tourists who visit the battlefields.



I don't think your assessment is correct. There are as many Civil War titles as Napoleonic ones, indeed a quick finger-count only levels the score if you include naval games. And much as I would like to see a move away from WW2 there is no evidence at all there is a mass desire for that; indeed quite the contrary (consider Combat Mission as an example). WW2 titles, all things considered, generally sell much better than those relating to any other era. As to the American Revolution it may have a large audience in the US but, frankly, that outside the US is very small compared with any of the three alternatives mentioned.



If you look at the market... you will see drastic changes the last few years in the production of WW2 era titles. The market is demanding less concentration of titles based on The WW2 era. Casual and Hardcore gamers are tend to avoid titles that focus on that era due to the drastic amount of coverage WW2 has seen over the years. Publishers have noticed this trend and have produced titles to suit the needs of their customers. Recently titles such as Halo, Half Life, GTA4, Spore have been developed and marketed and their financial profit overhelms that of any previous year. The flow of the market has shifted to Modern and Futureistic wargaming. As you will see throughout 2008 and 2009 ... titles such as Resistance 2, Command & Conquer RA2, Cyrsis, etc. will make their way to the market.

You are correct about The American Revolution period having a larger audience here in The US than anywhere throughout the world. The reason being is that Americans have a greater interest in history than any other country throughout the world. All gaming consoles and products recieve the majority of profit and attention on the US based market. That is due to a multitude of reasons.

1. The United States is a major economic power that has one of the largest birth rates (2.0) in the world. This results in a large children and teenage population base.

2. Americans are born and raised in a society that revolves around Technology and Entertainment. Children, Teenagers and Adults are raised in atmosphere where they are more attracted to technological outlets and systems. This in turn mixed with a high demand for entertainment bring in a great deal of profit for publishers of gaming systems and products.

3. A average US household is able to afford and invest in such gaming products.

4. Internet access. The concentration of US Population in major cities allows for the majority of Americans to have quick, inexpensive internet access. This allows for Americans to have access to a new level of gaming ... MMPORG and Multiplayer.

5. Distribution. Major outlets such as Walmart, Target, EB Games, Gamestop all provide major floor space devoted to gaming products and systems. This ease of distribution within the United States allows publishers to get out their product to the consumer quicker and easier than anywhere in the world.

These are but a few. You can clearly see why Publishers and developers focus on The US based market.

(in reply to Hertston)
Post #: 10
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 1:20:44 AM   
Hertston


Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD


If you look at the market... you will see drastic changes the last few years in the production of WW2 era titles. The market is demanding less concentration of titles based on The WW2 era. Casual and Hardcore gamers are tend to avoid titles that focus on that era due to the drastic amount of coverage WW2 has seen over the years. Publishers have noticed this trend and have produced titles to suit the needs of their customers. Recently titles such as Halo, Half Life, GTA4, Spore have been developed and marketed and their financial profit overhelms that of any previous year. The flow of the market has shifted to Modern and Futureistic wargaming. As you will see throughout 2008 and 2009 ... titles such as Resistance 2, Command & Conquer RA2, Cyrsis, etc. will make their way to the market.


I don't mean to be unduly obstreperous but I can't agree with a word of that. I see no such 'drastic changes', or trends. What do Half Life, Halo and Spore (?!!) have to do with anything? There have always been far more non WW2 games in all genres, except maybe pure wargames, than WW2 ones. For example Dune 2, Warcraft, Starcraft, Age of Empires, Command and Conquer etc, etc, etc, all came along before any WW2 RTS of note. Likewise with shooters, unless you count the original Wolfenstein none of the genre defining games were WW2, until maybe Battlefield 1942 anyway. I can only refer you to my earlier example of Combat Mission, there was a drastic change alright and, at the end of the day, an excellent game but the vast majority of the market made it clear they wanted WW2 - and so that's where the next game (or three) using the CM2 engine will be set.

quote:

You are correct about The American Revolution period having a larger audience here in The US than anywhere throughout the world. The reason being is that Americans have a greater interest in history than any other country throughout the world.


Oh, rubbish. They may well have a greater interest in American history than anybody else, but what else would you expect?

BTW, reason 4 in particular really is absolute tripe. The US slightly tops Western Europe in numbers online but the latter (due to geography and population concentration rather than technology) has a rather greater percentage with the fast connections needed for gaming. And the centre of gravity of MMO gaming these days is the Far East, not the US. They have millions playing games most US and European players have never even heard of (not to mention the same WoW juggernaut as everybody else).



< Message edited by Hertston -- 9/26/2008 1:32:58 AM >

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 11
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 1:26:53 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

Posts: 14
Joined: 8/28/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Comments below.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JeanNYGUARD

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

Believe me, you're not the first to think of trying to sell computer games in such stores. I've looked into it already and, to give you the bottom line, it's hardly worth the effort. These places insist on receiving the lion's share of the profit from anything they sell... and that assumes that they actually begin to sell a product after an approval process that can take well over a year, due to the need for the Park Service to sign off on it at each site where it is being considered (i.e., a single game has to be approved over and over and over again!). And that approval depends on the product, whatever it is, having "educational" value -- and these places tend to have a fairly narrow definition of "educational." Plus, some of these sites told me that they used to carry computer games that didn't sell, and are therefore hesitant to experiment with wargames again. I know that I, for one, have given up on my dreams of becoming rich through selling FOF at Civil War battlefields...

I definitely agree with you that our little niche market of wargaming needs to find ways to expand, but I'm quite certain that this is not it.

On the other hand, I do think that getting a booth at a reenactment could be far more lucrative, assuming that the cost of a booth at such events isn't super-expensive. And it well might be, so you might have to sell dozens and dozens of units just to break even.


Gil ...

As per selling products per Park Service Gift shops ... nowadays its who you know. If you have a friend or two up the ladder in that service... you may get that process simplified, but until then ... as you said... it will be difficult. What a good alternative always is and is readily available is main street and surrounding stores. Gettysburg for example... has a large town ... all devoted to the battle. The town lives on the income of tourism. The Park and Vistors Center account for approx 40 - 50 % of the total number of tourists at any current time. The other 50% are touring the musuems that surround the battlefield. These shops swarm with visitors... so much so that many known authors such as Jeff Sharra ... do public signing frequently there. Many of these shops turn up a high profit. What I recommend is if you recieve difficulty with The Park Service... look to these shops on the outskirts of the park and throughout main street. If you are able to develop a merchant contract a few of these Musuems and Learning Centers ... the profit gained would exceed what you would derive from selling at The Park service.

Interesting idea about the stores. They'd probably be more decisive than a federal bureaucracy! Of course, this assumes that a store owner will believe that he can move enough units to make it worthwhile to devote shelf space to a product. But if there are one or two believers out there...

The reenactment field booths and tents are inexpensive. If you tour these areas you will come to see that local small business shops which are based in the main town are able to afford space. Also Setting up your presence at these events would be less of a hassle since you deal with the owner of the land and not the government. Many reenactments are done on 'leased' lands provided by a private owner.

That may be true, but you have to include travel costs, hotel costs, etc. (which I forgot to mention in my previous post). Personally, I'd love to go even if we only broke even, since then it would be a free trip to a reenactment!




Gil

The Trick with small business owners is to influence them enough so they can see that merchandising gaming products in their business will yield a larger profit than any other products they offer for sale. These products must be easily visible within the store and they need to stand out. They cannot be placed in a section of the store where only a quarter of customers enter. If so ... no significant profit will be had.

Reenactment:
Travel and Lodging costs may be costly, however the reward from such a venture will be more beneificial in the long term. By providing a presence at these events you will gain attention from thousands of tourists and reenactors. You will corner the market in that area on all products relating to gaming. These reenactors and tourists will become aware of your company and the products you sell. Along with selling your current titles... you will gain long term customers, who will visit your website and invest in your future products.

Travel and lodging costs also may be deducted if you have employees that are reside within the region. On my visit to Gettysburg... travel and lodging costs amounted to approx 200.00. Me and my wife drove from Upstate NY (Garnerville, NY) and my wife, a Hilton employee recieves a discount of 39.99 per night. This was also at a time when gas was approx 4.39 per gallon.

I would recommend you contract the work out to a group (Preferably fans who are fimilar with Civil War / American Revolution titles) that live within the region (NY, PA, MD or VA). Also if you contract out the work you will be able to pay the contractors less than you would your own employees.


(in reply to Gil R.)
Post #: 12
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 7:31:39 AM   
JudgeDredd


Posts: 8573
Joined: 11/14/2003
From: Scotland
Status: offline
Sorry, do you have figures for these findings?

Hertston has it absolutely right. There have always been far more non WWII FPS games...your random mentioning of other titles as an indication people are sick of WWII is ridiculous.

Now if you have some information to back it up (apart from Wiki) then feel free to share.

As for you lack of enthusiasm for Napoleonic games and suggested shift to The Civil War, again...ridiculous. You are simply being insular in your thinking. The fact that you have greater re-enactments (again, probably with figures not based on any substance) indicates your lack of knowledge of the market rather than your understanding that one is more important than the other. Again as the poster above says...perhaps in the US. Outside of the US (if you could take yourself out the closet for a moment) you would probably find the alternative is true.

Of course, I have no figures to back this up, but I'm not the one chucking the figures around, am I?

And just for your information, Brothers in Arms Hells Highway and Call of Duty World at War are both on the very close horizon, both WWII games and both are expected to be massive sellers, going on previous title sales.

I'm not starting a war here...but you simply can't come onto a board and suggest that one genre is dying and there is a shift to another just because you indications in your country/region/state suggest so.

Just as a little addendum, I love the American Civil War titles out. I have AGEOD ACW, Forge of Freedom and GG WBTS and I wouldn't swap them for anything...but you don't see me calling for the death of them in order to get some Napoleonic titles out??

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 13
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 7:46:00 AM   
Gil R.


Posts: 10821
Joined: 4/1/2005
Status: offline
quote:

Reenactment:
Travel and Lodging costs may be costly, however the reward from such a venture will be more beneificial in the long term. By providing a presence at these events you will gain attention from thousands of tourists and reenactors. You will corner the market in that area on all products relating to gaming. These reenactors and tourists will become aware of your company and the products you sell. Along with selling your current titles... you will gain long term customers, who will visit your website and invest in your future products.

Travel and lodging costs also may be deducted if you have employees that are reside within the region. On my visit to Gettysburg... travel and lodging costs amounted to approx 200.00. Me and my wife drove from Upstate NY (Garnerville, NY) and my wife, a Hilton employee recieves a discount of 39.99 per night. This was also at a time when gas was approx 4.39 per gallon.

I would recommend you contract the work out to a group (Preferably fans who are fimilar with Civil War / American Revolution titles) that live within the region (NY, PA, MD or VA). Also if you contract out the work you will be able to pay the contractors less than you would your own employees.


I appreciate where you're coming from, but this is simply more complex than you realize. You have to bring large monitors, since you can't use small laptops and expect to draw attention. (And if Matrix is demoing multiple ACW titles, that means multiple monitors -- otherwise, Pocus, Joel Billings and I will end up enacting a new sort of civil war, as we fight for the lone monitor.) You have to be set up to accept credit cards, since people don't walk around with $60 cash to plunk down for a game, which may not be easy to do in the middle of a field. You have to be prepared for rain because of all the equipment. And there are several other considerations, as well. So in principle, I agree with you, but it's far from a simple undertaking, and far from certain that the benefits will significantly outweigh the costs.


_____________________________

Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.

(in reply to JeanNYGUARD)
Post #: 14
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 10:15:01 AM   
Neilster


Posts: 2890
Joined: 10/27/2003
From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Status: offline
Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of Rhine, Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation...how many titles does he want?

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to Gil R.)
Post #: 15
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 10:27:17 AM   
sterckxe


Posts: 4605
Joined: 3/30/2004
From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster

Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of Rhine, Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation...how many titles does he want?

Cheers, Neilster


I think he aimed for "Tzar of the Russians" as well, but got a "chilly" reception

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(in reply to Neilster)
Post #: 16
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 1:01:55 PM   
Neilster


Posts: 2890
Joined: 10/27/2003
From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster

Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of Rhine, Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation...how many titles does he want?

Cheers, Neilster


I think he aimed for "Tzar of the Russians" as well, but got a "chilly" reception

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx


Nice. He did score "Eater of Horseflesh Seasoned with Gunpowder" during that one though.

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to sterckxe)
Post #: 17
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 1:08:08 PM   
sterckxe


Posts: 4605
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From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster
quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe
quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster
Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of Rhine, Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation...how many titles does he want?

I think he aimed for "Tzar of the Russians" as well, but got a "chilly" reception

Nice. He did score "Eater of Horseflesh Seasoned with Gunpowder" during that one though.


Hmmmmm. Fresh horse meat - a princely meal (*)

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(*) I know that eating horse-meat sounds to Anglos the same as eating dog-meat, but this cultural inhibition doesn't exist in France.


(in reply to Neilster)
Post #: 18
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 1:08:46 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster


quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster

Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of Rhine, Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation...how many titles does he want?

Cheers, Neilster


I think he aimed for "Tzar of the Russians" as well, but got a "chilly" reception

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx


Nice. He did score "Eater of Horseflesh Seasoned with Gunpowder" during that one though.

Cheers, Neilster



"Eater of Frozen Horseflesh Seasoned with Gunpowder"...

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to Neilster)
Post #: 19
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 3:34:50 PM   
PunkReaper


Posts: 1085
Joined: 8/23/2006
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

I know that eating horse-meat sounds to Anglos the same as eating dog-meat, but this cultural inhibition doesn't exist in France


Obviously they weren't raised watching Mr. Ed.....

(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 20
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 3:39:25 PM   
sterckxe


Posts: 4605
Joined: 3/30/2004
From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper

quote:

I know that eating horse-meat sounds to Anglos the same as eating dog-meat, but this cultural inhibition doesn't exist in France


Obviously they weren't raised watching Mr. Ed.....


No, they were subjected to endless re-runs of "Black Beauty" and finally decided to take revenge

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(in reply to PunkReaper)
Post #: 21
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 3:42:22 PM   
PunkReaper


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ah but if only Black Beauty had the ability to speak the French may have been vegetarian

(in reply to sterckxe)
Post #: 22
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 3:57:39 PM   
sterckxe


Posts: 4605
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From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper
ah but if only Black Beauty had the ability to speak the French may have been vegetarian


Nah, they had a *really* popular movie starring a horse-like French actor and a cow (*) and afaik they still eat cow steaks and horse ... not sure about actors

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

(*) http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE5DE1239EE32A25755C0A9609C946091D6CF



(in reply to PunkReaper)
Post #: 23
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 4:06:21 PM   
Neilster


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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper

ah but if only Black Beauty had the ability to speak the French may have been vegetarian

No...they would have pretended they don't understand or speak English and given a Gallic shrug of the shoulders, just like when American tourists in hideous plaid pants shout at them

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to PunkReaper)
Post #: 24
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 4:23:43 PM   
sterckxe


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster
No...they would have pretended they don't understand or speak English and given a Gallic shrug of the shoulders, just like when American tourists in hideous plaid pants shout at them


Common misconception. As I spend about a month each year in France I invariably run into a couple of USA-nians who equally invariably are always amazed at how friendly the average Frenchman actually is. I'm not talking Paris here, because those guys are rude to *everyone*, including their own countrymen who are not from Le Grand Paris.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx




(in reply to Neilster)
Post #: 25
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 5:11:58 PM   
Neilster


Posts: 2890
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster
No...they would have pretended they don't understand or speak English and given a Gallic shrug of the shoulders, just like when American tourists in hideous plaid pants shout at them


Common misconception. As I spend about a month each year in France I invariably run into a couple of USA-nians who equally invariably are always amazed at how friendly the average Frenchman actually is. I'm not talking Paris here, because those guys are rude to *everyone*, including their own countrymen who are not from Le Grand Paris.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx





Oh, I found French people to be very friendly and helpful wherever in France I went. I always ensured to make an effort to speak some French though, which helped a lot I think.

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to sterckxe)
Post #: 26
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 7:01:31 PM   
PunkReaper


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quote:

Oh, I found French people to be very friendly and helpful wherever in France I went. I always ensured to make an effort to speak some French though, which helped a lot I think


Will everyone behave and stop spoiling a good stereotype.

(in reply to Neilster)
Post #: 27
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 7:21:28 PM   
sterckxe


Posts: 4605
Joined: 3/30/2004
From: Flanders
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper

quote:

Oh, I found French people to be very friendly and helpful wherever in France I went. I always ensured to make an effort to speak some French though, which helped a lot I think


Will everyone behave and stop spoiling a good stereotype.


As soon as you guys stop behaving like drunken hooligans whenever you're on the continent

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx


(in reply to PunkReaper)
Post #: 28
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/26/2008 9:42:35 PM   
PunkReaper


Posts: 1085
Joined: 8/23/2006
From: England
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quote:

As soon as you guys stop behaving like drunken hooligans whenever you're on the continent


Ouch that really hurt......It was true, but still hurt. Sadly I'm unable to think of anything nasty and stereotypical to say about people from Flanders but I'm working on it.

(in reply to sterckxe)
Post #: 29
RE: Another Napoleon Title - 9/27/2008 12:30:55 AM   
JeanNYGUARD

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

quote:

Reenactment:
Travel and Lodging costs may be costly, however the reward from such a venture will be more beneificial in the long term. By providing a presence at these events you will gain attention from thousands of tourists and reenactors. You will corner the market in that area on all products relating to gaming. These reenactors and tourists will become aware of your company and the products you sell. Along with selling your current titles... you will gain long term customers, who will visit your website and invest in your future products.

Travel and lodging costs also may be deducted if you have employees that are reside within the region. On my visit to Gettysburg... travel and lodging costs amounted to approx 200.00. Me and my wife drove from Upstate NY (Garnerville, NY) and my wife, a Hilton employee recieves a discount of 39.99 per night. This was also at a time when gas was approx 4.39 per gallon.

I would recommend you contract the work out to a group (Preferably fans who are fimilar with Civil War / American Revolution titles) that live within the region (NY, PA, MD or VA). Also if you contract out the work you will be able to pay the contractors less than you would your own employees.


I appreciate where you're coming from, but this is simply more complex than you realize. You have to bring large monitors, since you can't use small laptops and expect to draw attention. (And if Matrix is demoing multiple ACW titles, that means multiple monitors -- otherwise, Pocus, Joel Billings and I will end up enacting a new sort of civil war, as we fight for the lone monitor.) You have to be set up to accept credit cards, since people don't walk around with $60 cash to plunk down for a game, which may not be easy to do in the middle of a field. You have to be prepared for rain because of all the equipment. And there are several other considerations, as well. So in principle, I agree with you, but it's far from a simple undertaking, and far from certain that the benefits will significantly outweigh the costs.


The operation will be difficult... alot of logisitics will need to be sorted through and completed... theres no doubt in that, however not attending such events will be more of a loss. The total revenue and publicity gained from such a event will overshadow any expense. I recommend you try at least one reenactment ... and get a taste of this type of market.

One thing you need is publicity. During my tour of the event I questioned a number of reenactment units for contract purposes (Im in game development myself) and when I questioned them about the types of gaming products they enjoy... none of them were aware of Matrix games nor any of its products. I think this is a missed opportunity for the matrix games as well as the people, who they cannot play your great titles.

If you would like I could assist your staff with preparations and logistics... since I will be returning to these events for my work.

Feel free to email me @ JeanNYGUARD@yahoo.com

_____________________________


(in reply to Gil R.)
Post #: 30
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