New kaiju game from Matt Frank + Simon Strange [Archive]

[Hellspawn28]

^ Lots of reasons. Mr. Strange explained why, but it's quite a few pages back, and I'm entirely too lazy to look for that specific post.

Maybe I miss it but as Gvamp mention on FB that there's over 50 games coming out for them in the next year-year and a half. So the XBLA and PSN market is hardly even dead. I don't have a PC that can support this game and I don't think a PC game is going to work at all.

How old is your PC?

The PC that I'm using right now is from 2008 and the PC that has been dead since December (Now getting fixed) is from 2007. Both PC's can hardly run Sims 3, let alone a new game like this.

[Gyaos]

The only games my computer can run (its from 2001 i beleive) Is Fallout 1, Fallout 2, and Jurassic Park Operation Genesis (barely).

[Legionmaster]

PC games do not lose local multiplayer - why would they? Just plug in 4 controllers. That's how we develop the games, and how they are played 90% of the time during the dev process.

Also, the engine for G:U (which is what I would be licensing) is far less demanding than what WoW uses. Look at the specs for a Wii - it's basically a 1Ghz processor, 500MB of ram, and a DX9 video card (anything from 2005 or later.) I can run it on a Win98 machine, and did for several years. Such a PC costs $300. Which isn't to imply folks should buy a new PC for this game! Maybe a few more controllers.

Also, it's still possible to put the game out on consoles as well - but it would cost a ton of additional money, and the console version wouldn't get the updates the PC side would. If we get the money, I'm more than willing to put in the extra development time to make it available on consoles.

I'm just going to quote this for everyone's benefit.

[miguelnuva]

release the game on PC and then after all the patches and DLC are released import it to consoles if enough money is raised.

[Godzillabrawler]

release the game on PC and then after all the patches and DLC are released import it to consoles if enough money is raised.

This is what I was thinking.

[Living Corpse]

Why not release the game on XBLA and PSN? I don't know why some people say that XBLA and PSN games are dead when a lot of people still download them?

Remember when the PSN was hacked? I'd rather own an actual psychical copy of the game on a disc then have it be downloaded information that I can't accesses whenever the network get's hacked and knocked offline.

... you could still play playstation during the hack. Even downloaded titles.

But that's the thing you could download stuff that time. But you couldn't play online, I remember it happened around the time MK was out and people were pissed they couldn't play online cause Sony was trying to fix the hacking issue. And who's to say next time you won't be able to download anything, online games included like Limbo because of a future hake attack? I think some people would rather have an actual copy on disk and actually own the game psychically.

[Hedorah]

release the game on PC and then after all the patches and DLC are released import it to consoles if enough money is raised.

Except like, they'll make almost nothing if it's a a PC game

[miguelnuva]

release the game on PC and then after all the patches and DLC are released import it to consoles if enough money is raised.

Except like, they'll make almost nothing if it's a a PC game

We put up the price to get the PC game made and then we put up the money to get the console import as well.

[JVM]

I like how we settled the console debate pages upon pages back and suddenly everyone's angry again.

Guys, I'm going to say it one more time A PC GAME WOULD BE MUCH, MUCH, MUCH LESS COSTLY.

A huge amount of money that could be spent on designing new monsters or arenas would have to go towards just paying for the RIGHT to put it on the Xbox.

[Mr. Strange]

Why are people saying once a game is released on consoles, it can't be fixed if there are bugs? PS3 and 360 have patch capabilities.

Skyrim just released a patch today on PSN and Live that fixed numerous glitches and bugs.

You are correct, it is entirely possible to patch XBLA and PSN games. However, it costs quite a bit. Especially compared to a PC game which costs $0 to patch.

Valve decided to not patch TF2 on Xbox, because they thought it was too expensive.

Now, if there was just one patch, the cost might be manageable. But I'm hoping to put out new content every few months for a year or two, at least. Each revision on console would have to re-enter the submission process, get re-approved by all parties, and have a big publisher like Atari on board for the development. It would slow things down, and dramatically reduce the amount of content within the game.

It will cost about $25,000 for a new monster pack every 2 months. A submission to both XBLA and PSN costs $120,000, and takes 3 months minimum.

And who said PC games don't make money? You, sir, are very much mistaken! PC games make gobs more money than console games, and have been for a couple years. (From 1995 - 2008 consoles were making tons more money than PC games)

To answer another question - why do people thing XBLA and PSN are in decline? Because they are. You don't see it from the consumer's side, but on the dev side we see things a year or two ahead of the consumer. Trust us on this one.

All these answers sort of fit together, so now I'll explain the connection:

In around 2006, companies were making BUCKETS of money from XBLA games. Everyone was rushing to put their content up on XBLA, and Sony was dumping tons of money into PSN to catch up. At that time, prices were set so that only the best content would make it through - charging hundreds of thousands of dollars, and taking months of time. The people who made it through made that money back and then some - so the system was working.

But now, those systems are in steep decline. Almost no money is being made from them, but the pricing has not changed. This accelerates the effect of people fleeing the system.

Now, let's get something else straight - I'm not looking to make money on this game. I want to sell it for ~$5 or so on PC. You are all putting up the costs up-front, so we don't need to make money at all - maybe a bit to keep cranking out more monsters, but that's pretty minimal.

Putting the game on console wouldn't make money, but if you all donate the funds, I'm happy to do it. If we can pony up $300,000 so that those of us on this forum without a PC but who have XBLA can play too, more power to the community!

[Hedorah]

And who said PC games don't make money? You, sir, are very much mistaken! PC games make gobs more money than console games, and have been for a couple years. (From 1995 - 2008 consoles were making tons more money than PC games)

Oh I know PC games make money, I've spent A LOT of money on Steam myself. But I honestly don't see a Godzilla PC game selling very well AT ALL.

[Chris55]

But I honestly don't see a Godzilla PC game selling very well AT ALL.

Any particular reason why?

[skuzzy-punk-kid]

(Looks to see if the coast is clear)
I think I'm just gonna sit myself right here, and...
...where's my tub of popcorn?

[Chris55]

(Looks to see if the coast is clear)
I think I'm just gonna sit myself right here, and...
...where's my tub of popcorn?

I took it. It's mine.

[GreenAiden555]

I, for one, don't support DLC. I don't like the notion of paying for something that is incomplete, and something that should be included in the finished product.

But let me be clear. Mass Effect 3. I think that is a slap in the FACE to those that bought the game, having to fork over extra money for something that should have been included in the normal release.

Now, I wouldn't call the extra monsters DLC per say. I would call them expansion packs... Which brings me to my next two points:

Mr. Strange, it's pretty clear to me you would like to release monsters as time goes on. Good idea, overall, but I do know that some people would be put off by it. May I suggest something?

Instead of just the monsters, make them expansion packs. I know that technically that would be considered DLC. What I am suggestion, however, is to release more monsters with content. Say, for example, you purchase the, oh i don't know, the Nuclear Pack. You get 4-7 monsters, 1-3 arenas, and extra neutral enemy units. For example of the enemy units, tanks in the console Godzilla games. As you make the packs, the army and aliens, or whatever else, gets more units and becomes stronger.

Next point:

Some people may not want to purchase the extra packs simply because they don't like the notion of purchasing of more content for a game they paid for, even if it is the $5 you suggested initially, and $4-5 per DLC. What I would suggest is to get most of if not everything in line before the game first comes out, and release a bundle pack for a set price that will allow a person to go ahead and get the DLC without having to pay for more as time goes on. For example, instead of $5+DLC, a person can make a one time investment of, say, $15-$25, and then those that purchase the bundle pack have access to the DLC that comes out without having to pay for it.

Tl;dr Have an option for people to ay more for the initial installment, as an option, and let them download some of the DLC for free, for example, the first 3 DLC options.

[Chris55]

Next point:

Some people may not want to purchase the extra packs simply because they don't like the notion of purchasing of more content for a game they paid for, even if it is the $5 you suggested initially, and $4-5 per DLC.

You're donating to get the game made (like $10 or $15 donation gets you the game). You'll also be getting approx 12 monsters in a full 3d world with a story and cinematics and other features. Say $5 gets you 4 more monsters and a level to play on. Not a bad deal I don't think. DLC is always optional and it costs $ to create. Imagine if this were on a console. The price would have to be higher for those 4 monsters and 1 level (say $10+) to pay for certification and everything else Simon mentioned in his previous posts.

[skuzzy-punk-kid]

(Looks to see if the coast is clear)
I think I'm just gonna sit myself right here, and...
...where's my tub of popcorn?

I took it. It's mine.

Meh, that's ok; I can always buy another one, lol...

[GreenAiden555]

You're donating to get the game made (like $10 or $15 donation gets you the game). You'll also be getting approx 12 monsters in a full 3d world with a story and cinematics and other features. Say $5 gets you 4 more monsters and a level to play on. Not a bad deal I don't think. DLC is always optional and it costs $ to create. Imagine if this were on a console. The price would have to be higher for those 4 monsters and 1 level (say $10+) to pay for certification and everything else Simon mentioned in his previous posts.

If I'm reading this correctly..

True, but some say piss on DLC anyway and either won't buy the game or the DLC. I don't like the idea of just monsters for fun; I'd like to see some SERIOUS extras for future support.

[Chris55]

I don't like the idea of just monsters for fun; I'd like to see some SERIOUS extras for future support.

Ok then, list what you want for DLC!

[Mr. Strange]

I don't like the term DLC. These will be stand-alone games. You don't need to buy #1 to get #4 - you can mix and match as you like.

Let's talk about DLC for a bit. I've said over and over that each release of DLC costs a bunch of money. That's totally true. But some people really like DLC. To get around the extra expense of a second release, some companies simply lock off part of the game, and then ask people to pay in order to unlock it. That way it "feels" like DLC - and earns extra money, but there is only 1 release process to pay for.

This is a bit of trickery, and people see through it. This is the sort of thing which makes people shy away from DLC in general.

But trickery only makes sense when a company is trying to make a profit. I'm not looking to profit from this new game - I'm making and selling it at-cost. I have nothing to hide - contributors will be playing builds of the game all throughout the process - making comments and helping to shape this up to be the best game it can be. We'll release whenever the community wants to have the game release - that might be soon, or it might be after a year or more of development. There won't be any "hidden" content - there is nobody to hide it from! I'm trying to get the game out into as many hands as possible, not make money.