Some heart warming words for Dan

[Arend94]

Dan, really, don't get upset about the haters. Surely, the game has some rough edges, but I think you're the first developer actually replying to the forums. Most important for me to know, is that you're listening to us and are working on it. Keep going man!

[Dgreen02]

Thanks dude, I appreciate it.

- Dan

[Dgreen02]

It seems like you are more posting on the forums than working on the game XD

Keep up the good work.

I'm doing both, I just want you guys to understand that I'm pissed off at the way this release was handled....this isn't how I wanted to release my first game.

I'll do whatever it takes to fix this...

- Dan

[chrischameleon]

Thanks dude, I appreciate it.

- Dan

I appreciate how you respond back to people almost right away on the forums.

All the big companies have a lot of PR people but they hardly ever get back to you.

And here you are, one person responding back to almost everyone. :)

[Dgreen02]

I appreciate how you respond back to people almost right away on the forums.

All the big companies have a lot of PR people but they hardly ever get back to you.

And here you are, one person responding back to almost everyone. :)

It's because I care way more than those companies do, I spent years working on this game by myself. I have so much personally invested in it, this is def. not how it's supposed to be releasing games.

- Dan

[Firepower01]

Once again the developer gets ♥♥♥♥ed by the publisher. So tired of seeing things like this happen :/

[jimrad1]

Dan, really, don't get upset about the haters. Surely, the game has some rough edges, but I think you're the first developer actually replying to the forums. Most important for me to know, is that you're listening to us and are working on it. Keep going man!

A very astute person speaking *claps*

Im glad Im not the only person who see's the difference in developer dedication here. I see a very promising future with not only this title, but future DLCs and anything else he comes up with. People dont understand the business side of gaming. I'll throw a little eye opener having come from this business and been a developer.

Rarely ever, is the developer the one who decides lets release it today! Thats not how it works, never has worked this way. Developers are very proud people, they love their project, and want it well received. Ive never met a developer who felt differently myself included. When you sign a contract, and there are several variations they will offer you. Its either profit sharing, advances on development costs in which you then receive a percentage of sales. In some cases with that last one, you end up owing the publisher! Lets say its the last option, where Im company ButterfingersTypesVeryBad.

Example: Typical deal

Let's say Publisher X pays you, an advance against royalties, a total of $250,000 for development with a 20-percent royalty
- Let's say the same publisher earns a total of $10 Gross/Net after the carrier's share (service irrelevant) per download
- The game sees a total of 100,000 downloads
- Gross/Net Receipts: $1,000,000
- Royalty payable to Developer under current scenario: $ 200,000. Technically you owe the publisher money ($50,000) because the advance is not fully recouped yet. That's because the publisher is recouping at 20-percent rate (and, no, it doesn't matter that the publisher has already made 4x its investment back)

This is IF your lucky to get 20%, people new to the business typically get 6%. This doesnt include the cut Valve gets for hosting, or all the other little incidental costs like eating.

Rarely is the developer in control in when a product is released, in fact I would say never. You sign a contract, you offer a development assessment of how long you think it will take to make a game called EatYourPheet. They subtract 20% to 30% of the time you need because they want their money which already puts you in a hole. During the period of development, you have to send in Alpha and Beta builds, typically even monthly. At ANY time during development, the publisher can release any of those builds. Whether your finished, irate and angry as a developer that its not finished, they could care less, they want their money even if it costs you your reputation and future money. It is what it is, its always been this way ALWAYS.

Typically your paid if you actually even make money or owe them money because of the advance in development costs, you dont get paid for patches. That comes out of your time and energy. Some publishers will offer more money for support but rarely is it done upfront, or even after the fact. So in a scenario that has the publisher releasing your title early, the time and energy to fix it, is all on the developer. Ive no reason to believe this is not the case here. Just from seeing a few posts from Dan, I would say he falls into this category. Very proud of his hard work, and wants to support it money or no money.

Financials: If Im close to being anywhere near correct, if Dan is lucky, he might bring in 12k for something he probably spent 2 to 4 years making, and probably 4 years since he's been doing this alone. Now how many of you would work for 12k over 4 years? Not including taxes mind you, uncle sam wants his cut to. Indie developers work on these titles on their spare time. After their already 40 to 50 hour job. This is typical of most if not all indie developers. He is luck if he breaks even if he doesnt take a loss. So why do it? Its a pet project for most, because they are passionate about this type of work. Like building a muscle car in the garage with junk parts we gather. Thats the reality to this business folks. Sure once you get a reputation like Sid Meirs then you can demand more from publishers.

Im still pretty surprised one person took this one by himself, tons of kudos and respect there for sure wow. To also have him stand by his product regardless how it was released by the publisher is all him and says a lot about him. I hope this brings a tiny bit of insight to people who think indie or small house developers rake in money left and right. Typically you hope you can just pay salaries and the light bill when its done, if your lucky. Scenario like above where you actually owe money to the publisher is ugly. Its like dealing with a loan shark. No matter how hard you work, you just get in deeper. Not saying this is the case here, but its happened more times than I can count.

This is why there is so much respect for indie developers. When all said and done, they typically make nothing. So why do it? Why do painters paint, why do people climb the highest mountains? Most times because you love doing it and want to succeed. Typically not even monetarily, but just so people say hey, you did not so bad with this. Not bad at all


.

[Telefrog]

I'm not upset. I did my due dilligence and read the forums here and on the Paradox site before buying this. The concept is so goofy charming and I knew what I was getting into. For $10, I think I got my money's worth.

[monkeystick]

I love the premise and as far as I'm concerned I've alpha-funded a game with a lot of potential.

[Overrwatcher]

Remember that it's possible to save a game with a failed launch. Just look at Dino D-Day. The launch had so much bugs, imbalances, and flaws that many people quit. However the people who stayed were rewarded with a game that now is considered decent, and people started coming back.

I currently don't own Gettysburg (I've only preordered two games before: Dungeon Defenders and Starcraft II. I usually wait for reviews to come in.), but it seems like the kind of game I like.

[Arrowhead]

There's a reason why most devs tend to be hush hush, especially in forums. This forum is a case in point. Everything you say can and will be used against you by many people who want to bring you down. It's great that you want to be involved, but maybe consider laying low and let the patches you are working on speak for themselves. ;)

[ComradeLenin]

Remember that it's possible to save a game with a failed launch. Just look at Dino D-Day. The launch had so much bugs, imbalances, and flaws that many people quit. However the people who stayed were rewarded with a game that now is considered decent, and people started coming back.

That is a complete joke of a statement...

If you consider a multiplayer only game to be a "saved" when it only has 1 active server, then you must truly have some ridiculously low standards.

No matter how much free content they continue to add to Dino D-Day, launches and first impressions are a necessity for a long-term stable community.

Take a look at Brink, Demigod, and other failed launches.

[Dgreen02]

There's a reason why most devs tend to be hush hush, especially in forums. This forum is a case in point. Everything you say can and will be used against you by many people who want to bring you down. It's great that you want to be involved, but maybe consider laying low and let the patches you are working on speak for themselves. ;)

I might be putting a little distance between the forum and I, I've tried my best to re-assure people that I'm going to do whatever it takes...but to say all this negativity is a bit demoralizing would be an understatement.

I really appreciate the kind words you guys have said, and I'm working now to fix all the issues.

- Dan

[flarp]

yeah im actually enjoying this game. $10.00 is less than a meal for 2 at McDonalds; people need to relax

I certainly got my money's worth and cant wait to start dishing out some content with the mod tools.

whats done is done, the only thing you can do now is keep working on the game and make it better. Dont let the hater's get you down.

keep up the good work man.

[jimrad1]

Not sure if anyone looked up his company site yet but cool! This wont be the only very interesting game from him. Looks like he has some pretty interesting ideas coming down the pipe. Urban Combat, now that looks about as interesting as this title actually! I think once he figures out how to deal with some of the bugs with this title, these follow ups will be much smoother in running.

http://www.radioactive-software.com/

Pretty cool stuff.

[jimrad1]

Holy crap Batman! :D Dan your like only 24 and already have this level of work? Seriously! wow! I didnt get my first paying development gig until I hit nearly 30 let alone my own title at 40. !!

http://www.radioactive-software.com/infomation.shtml

You have a bright future in this business dude!

[ScrotoBaggins]

Go Dan you're substancially a kind of hero to make a strategy game alone by yourself, keep up the good work, don't worry many guys round here are with you, and we think you'll do a good job, the idea is very nice, don't hear for childish comments i want my game , this bugged exc. they're just good to cry, in Dan we trust ;)

[Atomic Hamster]

He can't win really can he? If he doesn't come on the forums and answer questions you all shout that he doesn't care and if he does come on you say get out and fix the game.

Did mummy not love you all enough? Got some issues? I think so....

[Dgreen02]

LOL, thanks guys ... :-)

- Dan

[PsYcHo126]

+1
Don't give up dude! Just keep working on it, keep up the (very) good communication and everything will be fine.
I hope you get enough money, leave Paradox (Paradox, I like you as a developer, you're doing good stuff. But your publishing isn't that good :/), and create your own Indie studio! :P (Or, just hire other peoples since you actually have an indie studio already)