Stardocks beta model for AGEOD?

[marcusjm]

Why not? I think it works great and becides being one of the most likeable companies around they have introduced many interesting innovations to the gamers. One of them is this cool "pay for beta testing/funding" programme. I only tried it with Sins of the Solar Empire so far but I really liked the concept.

AGEOD should try this concept in the future. This way you can get funding from gamers while you develop and let them help you with constructive feedback while you make the game. Paying testers always provide better feedback than those who download it anonymously from the net.

Consider this for you next projects.

[Rafiki]

Not being familiar with what it is, can you elaborate? Do I understand you correctly in that people pay to be beta testers?

[arsan]

I think you can pre order a game that is still in development and while waiting for the "Real" game to be published, get access and play the different beta versions of the game as they get released.
For example, in the case of the WW1 game, people who have pre ordered and paid the game could get access to the current beta game and play, find bugs, give opinions instead of waiting 11 November comes.
I think it can be a very good idea, but maybe giving support and coordinating feedback from the players/beta testes can be too time consuming for a tema as reduced as the AGEOD's one.
Regards

[Rafiki]

OK, then I see. Not a bad suggestion

[Franciscus]

+1

[marcusjm]

They have been using it for a long time, I tried it for the first time with Sins, apparently it didn't hurt sales since it sold 500k .

They are doing it again with their Master of Magic insipired game.

[arsan]

They are doing it again with their Master of Magic insipired game.

Did you see the Not-MOM game tease??

[ATTACH]4576[/ATTACH]

I love the hand drawn style
Mmmm... where have i seen this kind of hand drawn map style before...

[marcusjm]

Yep. Also used in Dominions(apart from AGEOD) but I couldn't get into it myself.

[tagwyn]

Marcus? Are you kidding? Stardocks!! Is that the outfit the rendered Silent Hunter III unable to be played? It will gum up your computer quite thoroughly. t

[arsan]

Yep. Also used in Dominions(apart from AGEOD) but I couldn't get into it myself.

Yes, i have never played but seen than wonderful maps.
If i'm not mistaken, the story is that those maps were fanmade maps for Dom II done by the original AGEODs graphics artists Sandra and/or Robin (not sure about it) and later included on Dom III game.
They, and Pocus himself, were/are great fans of Dominions .
Robin also did a wonderful map mod for Panther games COTA. I never play with out it.

Maybe some of them are now working with Stardock : If so, i'm sure the results will be gorgeous :thumbsup at least for my tastes! )


Tag,
Silent Hunter was done by Ufisoft, not Stardock

[runyan99]

I have not thought about Master of Magic for a long time. That was a good one as I recall.

[Adlertag]

I have not thought about Master of Magic for a long time. That was a good one as I recall.

A MoM inspired game is going away according to Gamasutra game site : leure:

"Strategy Game 2010 ("Not Master of Magic")

It has been known for years that Stardock has designs on the long-dormant Master of Magic franchise, but complications with license owner Atari have stymied the developer's attempts at a true sequel. As CEO Brad Wardell told Gamasutra in 2006, "We were able to agree on the money, so we thought everything was set, then their legal guys got involved, and that's where it stalled."

But the company's MoM-themed project is still in the works minus the license, according to today's report (teaser picture inset). Referred to as Strategy Game 2010 and Not-MOM, the game is "a turn-based strategy game that supports random map generation, integrated modding, city building, unit design, tactical combat, multiplayer, incredibly powerful magical spells, and much more" and is scheduled to enter public beta by next June."

[Gray_Lensman]

deleted

[marcusjm]

Stardock also made the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations 2, it has perhaps the best AI ever made in any strategy game. Yet I still prefer Sword of the Stars . I am a space opera buff so it is just more in line with my taste.

[dooya]

Yep. Also used in Dominions(apart from AGEOD) but I couldn't get into it myself.

The demo of Dominions III was one of the few I really played extensively. The game is quite complex but it has flair and I liked the music. However, did not buy the game because I could not afford it.

[Adlertag]

Stardock also made the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations 2, it has perhaps the best AI ever made in any strategy game

I'm upset with the so call "best AI" of this game when you saw dumb lines of vessels travelling the whole map without any sense of ennemy presence...
Meanwhile, it is rather good for the traditional rush at the beginning of the game, but after ?

[marcusjm]

What version and AI level did you use? The AI is incredibly clever but since it's still programmed AI and not actual AI it has flaws as well.

Best AI? Of course since noone does it better. Not yet at least.

I must say that the SOTS AI is surprisingly good too but it can faill too now and then, it all comes down to whether the programmed opponent can handle the situation or not, difficult map layouts etc will be a problem in all games.

[Guz]

I can't imagine a game that would so motivate me as to pay to beta test it. However I'm sure there are those who would. it's an interesting take on things I will admit. But in reality we already are beta testers if you think about it. With patches as well as the tons of bug fixes it seems every game needs these days we all are beta testers and we've paid for it by buying the games. So this business model really is nothing new. For me one thing will never change: I expect the same thing with games that I do with a new car, TV or whatever...It should work right out of the box. If it doesn't then that is something to be rectified by the seller.

That being said I wouldn't be surprised to see pay-to-beta become the norm.

I would love to hear Pocus's opinion on this.

[marcusjm]

But when you consider that Stardocks beta versions are in better shape than many release candidates then it's not so bad .

The key here is that you take an active part in making the game. Sure, it's their job and what they are paid to do but I as a gamer wan't the best possible game and since this is not shovelware we don't get that many chances to get really good strategy games.

Europa Universalis would never have succeeded the way it did without a very dedicated group supplying hard historical data to them.

[arsan]

Hi
The not-mom preview is here
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/elemental-war-of-magic/926527p1.html

And looks veeeery cool!!
Regards

[Adlertag]

Yes, cool.
Does it have some similarities with King's Bounty Legend ?

[arsan]

Official new game web with screens, lots of info and own forums
http://www.elementalgame.com

It seems you can even pre order the game already!

[Pocus]

An interesting artistic style, which is going against what some publishers would expect to see for an AAA game. I like Stardock

Interesting also their centralized MP server. It reminds me of something

[Cat Lord]

Mount and Blade was also developed in a similar way: The closer to the final game, the closer to the final price you had to pay for the license.

Cat

[marcusjm]

I actually bought two copies of M&B . One cheaper and one more expensive when I couldn't find my serial.

I really hope AGEOD at least considers this model for the future. Especially with "unsure" projects. That way they get an early indication of the interest as well as some cash to spend on Pernod .