Possible expansion of NWS operations

[hawkeye]

Since you guy's post is a locked post (perfectly fine, don't get me wrong), I'm gonna use this thread to post this:

Just be reeeeeeealy careful what you do.
While I'm not a business insider, I have been playing video-games since the mid 80s and I have seen small-ish studios being picked up, transformed and butchered beyond recognition (I'm looking at you, EA) and we sure as hell wouldn't want anything happening even remotely as bad as that.

Yes, more resources, more reach is great and all, but those resources usually go hand in hand with losing control - and investors might not be all that interested in what you want to achieve but more with making money (perfectly fine as well).
Unfortunately, "making lots of money" generally doesn't mix well with a niche game like RTW.

Anyway, I'll leave it at that and hope (assume, actually) that you guys are well aware of that, just had to get this off my chest.

[williammiller]

Hello hawkeye - Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

Please know that we are being very careful & mindful of wanting to keep our vision with our games exactly that; our vision. We would absolutely never enter into an agreement where we could lose out control of our direction or goals. The folks we are currently talking/working with know this and 100% respect this idea.

Thanks!

[corvus]

I'm going to guess that said folks are probably from either Slitherine Group, Fulcrum Publishing or Paradox Interactive. Those three are the most well known "big guys" in this particular niche.

[ironduke666]

My guess would be Slitherine/Matrixgames. They cooperated with several indiq-developers recently and seem to prefer a rather hands-off approach. They are an established brand-name for grog-games and have a distribution infrastructure in place. Fulqrum and Paradox are more mainstream when it comes to their products. Paradox also had a history of shedding developers fast, Ageod and Battlegoat for example, or squashing promising indie-projects (I'm still bitter over East vs West).

[tbr]

My bet is Microprose. They do a lot with Indies and need a title for release in q1 2023 since their high profile new games have been delayed somewhat.

The most impressive released new Microprose game, High Fleet, is very much an Indy work of love in its origin.

[orffen]

Aug 7, 2022 16:10:48 GMT -6 tbr said:

My bet is Microprose. They do a lot with Indies and need a title for release in q1 2023 since their high profile new games have been delayed somewhat.

The most impressive released new Microprose game, High Fleet, is very much an Indy work of love in its origin.

This was also my thought actually - Slitherine or Microprose would seem the "best" publisher options for a niche game like RTW. Both of these I think understand how niche titles should be managed to release and marketed afterwards. The whole Microprose line-up appears to be labours of love - High Fleet and Tiny Combat Arena especially.

[douglas]

Aug 4, 2022 9:39:57 GMT -6 williammiller said:

Hello hawkeye - Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

Please know that we are being very careful & mindful of wanting to keep our vision with our games exactly that; our vision. We would absolutely never enter into an agreement where we could lose out control of our direction or goals. The folks we are currently talking/working with know this and 100% respect this idea.

Thanks!

I echo Hawkeye's advice about being VERY careful.

Whatever verbal reassurances are made please make sure that the legal stuff is very thoroughly checked so that YOU retain control.

I am disappointed because, like many of us, I have been counting the days ...but there may be a couple of routes that might benefit us all:

1/ I think Steam still allow direct sales from Independent publishers while providing a platform for wider sales. Given a choice I'd always prefer to buy direct from you.

2/ Some companies still sell boxed set games with a disc and nicely printed manual as well as a digital download only option. It's old fashioned but if given a choice, this is such a long awaited game (no pressure!) that I would gladly pay extra for this (I think Slitherine/Matrix still do this)

Best wishes

Douglas

[axe99]

Best of luck for the arrangement Team NWS - would be great to be able to get your work distributed more widely

[williammiller]

Aug 8, 2022 17:01:46 GMT -6 axe99 said:

Best of luck for the arrangement Team NWS - would be great to be able to get your work distributed more widely

Thanks axe99