Joystiq Interview with Brad Wardell & Chris Taylor

Alstein

Join Date 07/2004

+55

I am seeing one problem- a few other publishers have your ideas too. Paradox has a good competitor to you guys in Gamersgate. ANd then there's the Steam Gorilla.

I'd really look into working something out with Paradox over digital distribution. Otherwise I see you two maybe hurting each other some.

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What's your response to the belief that PC gaming is dying?

BW - Oh absolutely. It's not just dying, it's already dead. Totally. In fact...all game developers that feel that way should quickly flee to the, um ... console market, right now. Don't worry about us, we'll guard you're back while you retreat. Nothing to see here. We'll shut the lights off when you're all gone. No, no, no need to thank us at all. We just want to make sure the developers who think PC gaming is dying are safe to flee to greener pastures. We're just that selfless.

I think this speaks for itself.

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From the interview:

In two years -- or less -- most new PCs will come with Stardock-developed technology and content.

Even more preloaded junk irrelevant for most users. No offense, but I strongly believe that a new computer should not contain any software at all (not even an operating system), it should be up to the user to decide what gets installed and not up to the hardware vendor and its sponsors.

Every single time I buy a new, prebuilt PC, the first thing I do is to format the hard drive and install the operating system from a non-recovery CD.

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Zoomba

Join Date 11/2002

+114

I am seeing one problem- a few other publishers have your ideas too. Paradox has a good competitor to you guys in Gamersgate. ANd then there's the Steam Gorilla.

The existence of other companies in the market shouldn't scare people away from entering it. Competition is good for the consumer as it spurs companies to improve their services, offer more variety of product and try and stay ahead of the other guy constantly. Should Target close up shop because Walmart is bigger? Should Apple throw in the towel becuase Microsoft leads the OS market?

Often across our forums, I'm personally baffled by the argument that we should just put everything on Steam and be done with it. Because it's just a waste to go our own way, or that it's somehow wrong to compete with Steam, like it deserves a monopoly over digital distribution.

We have nothing against Steam and other DD services. Hell, many of us around the office own, play and love games like Team Fortress 2, Portal, and a bunch of other Valve titles. But as gamers, we see an opportunity here. We think we have something that presents a better alternative to what's out there. Since we have the resources, knowledge, and partnerships to do something better, why shouldn't we? Just because Steam got the big lead, why should we roll over and forget about it, giving them the entire market without question?

I think we have something in the works that's better than what's out there now. If we're right, then the gamer benefits absolutely. If we're wrong and merely end up offering another equal competitor in the space, then there's further incentive all-around to improve services to get more customers than the other guy. No matter how you slice it, the gamer is not hurt by this.

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Exactly. This is how our economy is supposed to work after all, and besides, in my brief experience with Stardock Central, I'm already finding it far better than any other direct download software. It really works wonderfully, and it's great to see Stardock build on it.

On the other hand, there was an amusing sense of "We're going to take over EVERYTHING! BWAHAHAHA!" from this quote:

In two years -- or less -- most new PCs will come with Stardock-developed technology and content. In five years we expect to be one of the major PC, and possibly major console publishers, and the largest digital distributor of PC content.

I know that's not what was meant, but it's still funny.

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Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2408

I think later this Summer when new PCs start shipping with our software included they'll see that we're not part of the problem but part of the solution.

Let me put it this way, the PC OEMs have gotten the message about "craplets". They came to us to solve the problem, not exacerbate it. You'll see what I mean soon.

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"PC Gaming is dead" I'm real bored about hearing that nonsense. There is no way on this Earth, is a Market Space of way over 500million PCs ever going to be a "dead" gaming industry. Will it change and evolve, thats for sure, and so it should. It'll have highs and lows, as with all business cycles. The lows usually caused by "bandwagons" as the short term revenue chasers run around like lemmings following the latest "trend".

The long term winners in any Market Space are the committed, the Brave, who are not afraid to go for what they know is right in the long term - never mind what the herd and bandwagons attempt to dictate via Fluffy marketing spin.

Dead? Not a chance, there is far too much money to be made in the PC Market Space by Investors who have their heads screwed on, and not immersed in a perpetual race for the short term dollar, and idiotic sound bites in gaming magazines.

Regards
Zy

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I think later this Summer when new PCs start shipping with our software included they'll see that we're not part of the problem but part of the solution.
Let me put it this way, the PC OEMs have gotten the message about "craplets". They came to us to solve the problem, not exacerbate it. You'll see what I mean soon.

Maybe you should write a book on how to tease the customer. I'm starting to wonder if you majored in it;) As one who is seeking the same goal, I eagerly await this most interesting development.

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Let me put it this way, the PC OEMs have gotten the message about "craplets". They came to us to solve the problem, not exacerbate it. You'll see what I mean soon.

Would this software happen to be something that those of us who don't buy pre-built computers would want to put on their own machines?

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Would this software happen to be something that those of us who don't buy pre-built computers would want to put on their own machines?

Excelent question. I highly doubt it in my case, as I tend to run very very lean. Stupid Vista memory hog.

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WIllythemailboy

Join Date 03/2006

+70

If I were doing it, I would use something similar to SDC - a central place to get all the free demo crap that usually comes preinstalled. It's there is you want it, but there's only one app actually on the hard drive at install. Of course, this would depend on the absolute dependability of the app and the service behind it.

Given that Stardock is involved, I'd bet they came up with something even better. Too bad it will be years before I see it (

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Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2408

Would this software happen to be something that those of us who don't buy pre-built computers would want to put on their own machines?

Yes.

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I'm going to have to assume he's talking about more than just Object Desktop or something like that, or he wouldn't be so dead set on being tight lipped about it.

Or maybe it's a bluff. Wheels within wheels...

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I don't think he was saying you should give up due to companies like steam (steam is definitely the best example btw), but that you could offer them use of yours or work out a deal as the more games you posses the more likely people will want to download and for the developers to be in your aplication.

So far you have three companies useing it, the faster you expand and show you have a superior product to steam (at the moment I'd say it's close with impulse, to improve you need to get the best achievement system possable. Xbox live is basicly the perfect example of this).

Back to what I was origionally going to say, it's not that we think you should give up, just that we want more companies to use your product over everything else becase we think:
1) You give the best customer feedback in forums
2) You have the best delivery-system (due to lack of DRM mostly

)

^Thats the feeling I get arround the forum, hence why I perpousely desided to switch to "we".

If anyone disagrees speak up now!

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Alstein

Join Date 07/2004

+55

I definitely think there's a niche for you. My question is I don't know how big the niche will be.

Gamersgate also lacks DRM- just like Stardock. I think the interface on SDC is a little better, and you guys are American- those are your comparative advantage. It may be a case where one dominates the US, and one dominates Europe (Paradox is the Swedish Stardock- or at least a 99% version of it)

One other game idea for you to try to get. Talk to Capcom about putting Street Fighter HD remix on Stardock Central- a lot of people on the forum want a PC version, and I think your business models would do well for each other.

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I REALLY hope they don't go into consoles ... everytime a company does that they become infected with the "Christ this audience is easy to please" taint and PC gaming becomes an afterthought ... eg. Epic, Bioware - even ID has shown signs of this terminal, incurable sickness.

Stardock ... for the love of all that is good and holy ... just say "NO!"

Dano

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I definitely think there's a niche for you. My question is I don't know how big the niche will be.

500million+ PCs. The Business issue is not what is reality at any given time, its what the consumer perceives to be reality that matters. Its not the price point that matters, its the consumers perception of the Value of the Product or Service - maybe low price, but if the mechanic is a dork and couldnt put a fuse in a plug, let alone fix an engine, value is garbage, we move on. Price maybe slightly higher than others, but if quality and Service is fantastic, you'll buy ...

From where I am sitting, Stardock are now superbly positioned in the Market Space. They have focused on understanding their customers perception of needs, and supplied it with an unmatched quality of service and customer relations. Now innovate a new Product (Hybrid RTS/TBS, Hybrid RTS/RPG), and you have products that no one else will get near for a considerable period of time - they will have a development lead. Now consider where competitors are - running like lemmings around consoles and attached marketing ...

Launch new products, to existing very happy consumer base, in comes revenue, use that to promote the new products and unique position in the market ...

Its too late even now for competitors to stop them.... Size of niche ? Pick your number .....

Regards
Zy

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Actualy, if you start developing games away from the RTS and TBS genre. then i wouldn't respect any of you on a busness level if you didn't even try to tap into the console market.

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Actualy, if you start developing games away from the RTS and TBS genre. then i wouldn't respect any of you on a busness level if you didn't even try to tap into the console market.

Quoted For Truth.

This whole "console vs. PC" thing is just fundamentally stupid. You put the games where they will do well. Most traditional RTS games don't do well on consoles due to interface (though I'd love to see someone have a go with the Wii Remote's mouse-like behavior). Likewise, most traditional third-person action games don't do well on PCs due to interface (too clunky, and nobody avails themselves of the option to use a GamePad). Where there is intersection (RPGs, etc), not taking advantage of both markets is just dumb.

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Hey Frogboy since you've met Chris Taylor, i was wondering have you met Lewis Castle (creator of Command and Conquer)?

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If your asking that in the view that C&C went to consoles, your forgetting that so did supreme commander.

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I think later this Summer when new PCs start shipping with our software included they'll see that we're not part of the problem but part of the solution.
Let me put it this way, the PC OEMs have gotten the message about "craplets". They came to us to solve the problem, not exacerbate it. You'll see what I mean soon.

Hmm, so basicly they will take an "here's what we offer, download it if you wish" kind of deal useing stardock as the medium in which to do this?

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It's funny that Chris Taylor is so proud about the XBox 360 interface for supreme commander. The PC game clearly showed that the company has not even the slightest understanding of good interfaces. Well, I wish the XBox 360 players the best of luck at handling this thing. Topping the PC interface shouldn't be too difficult.

Demigod also sounds quite 'uninteresting'. I don't think the game will be a success on the PC. They should release if just for the XBox 360.

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I say wait for the reviews before you put it down. Or at least the Beta.

Anyway I just want to say that to get my last post out, because of the weard forum system I was unable to just edit the post so I posted two.

If there are any problems then if a moderator could merge them it would be super awsome and such.

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Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2408

Quoted For Truth.This whole "console vs. PC" thing is just fundamentally stupid. You put the games where they will do well. Most traditional RTS games don't do well on consoles due to interface (though I'd love to see someone have a go with the Wii Remote's mouse-like behavior). Likewise, most traditional third-person action games don't do well on PCs due to interface (too clunky, and nobody avails themselves of the option to use a GamePad). Where there is intersection (RPGs, etc), not taking advantage of both markets is just dumb.

Well said.

The game decides the platform. Not vice versa.

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Joystiq Interview with Brad Wardell & Chris Taylor

Joystiq Interview with Brad Wardell & Chris Taylor

PC Gaming is dead? Don't tell Brad or Chris...