A not so pleasent thought

[panikattak]

After thinking about it, you may want Tilted Mills to fail at this title. EA is a predatory company and if this title is successful at all, chances are EA will buy Tilted Mills and gut the company and Ceasar and COTN will become what Simcity has become.

Don't believe me it's easy enough to get on Google and see EA's history and MO for yourselves.

Ask yourself, do you think EA will share any Sim franchise with another company past one, maybe two titles? Espcially if they're successful titles? What's the easiest way to solve any conflicts between two companies, especially if one is much, much bigger than the other?

I have played this game for 18 years, and for a large chunk of that time, nearly everyday. I have written EA and I have recieved no response what so ever. If EA can ignore a hardcore fan like me, how do you think you will fare? I know someone who was a BIG fan of the Porche Unleashed game and that too was arbitrarily cut off as well and that communities pleas were completely ignored. These are just personal experiences with EA, I'm not even about to get into what I've read about them.

Just beware is all I'm saying. Simcity (that I know and loved for 18 years) would still be alive today if EA hadn't noticed Maxis' success with Simcity. I'd hate it if the same things happened to Tilted Mills, their titles, and fans.

Could you imagine Ceasar 4 or COTN as too diffucult or borish and EA would like to spruce up those franchises by totally walking away from what make them good games to begin with? I can. I'm seeing it with Simcity.

18 years. I feel like I'm watching a friend die and there's nothing I can do about it. I hope you never have to feel this over a stupid game.

And just to be absolutely clear, I lay none of this at Tilted Mill's feet. They make good games and I wish them success with their titles.

[mouse]

First of all Caesar trademark belongs to VU/Sierra not to TM. TM was formed by folks who use to make up part of Impressions which VU/Sierra bought and then laid off most of the folks. If what your saying about TM being bought up by EA where to take place then there would be another company that would pick up city building which has a small compared to many games community but loyal to the game type.
Change happens in life and the world doesn't end with any one company that does or does not exist. Not to say that city builders wouldn't be upset but it's doubtful that you would see the rage that we've seen from some Sim City people since the vast majority of city builders have been through this before and have weathered it.

[vic_4]

Something similar has happened to Impressions Games with Sierra, which bought and then closed the company. Tilted Mill has come out from Impressions people, so I think they may have learned the lesson. The most important fact is that they have ideas and knowledge, so I am optimistic.

[prof786]

the day that impression games shut down was one of the saddest days in my life. after two years, i found out about tilted mill and i was happy once more.

[MarkDuffy]

After thinking about it, you may want Tilted Mills to fail at this title.

Just how desperate ARE you people?

Daaaamn, I've seen spitballs up against the wall before, but get a grip! ;)

[panikattak]

Desperate?

I'm in the process of divesting myself emotionally from Simcity. I don't even have it installed anymore. It's weird because I've been playing Simcity for 18 years and now when I hit the start button, there is a obvious absence of Simcity.

But I was relflecting on what has and might happen and that's how I realized EA may end up buying Tilted Mills. In fact, I am pretty sure that if SCS is at all successful, and since they're going to market it to the Sims fans (which happens to have a lot of parents buying safe games for their kids) my guess is it will be Tilted Mills best selling title and since TM's other titles are relatively small titles, I think this would make TM relatively attractive to be purchased. Combine that with the fact that this is a Sim title and I just don't see EA sharing that franchise for too long.

I'm not wishing this on TM. But when I had the thought, it sadden me (I really hate EA, but what can you do). And I didn't share the thought to rain on anyone's parade, I shared it because I think a lot of TM fans should realize what may be in store for them.

In the end, I'm torn. I don't want it to be successful, because that would mean one less PC game developer if EA buys them (I don't own a console, don't want one, don't like em, I love my PC). And I want it to be successful, wildly successful, so I have something that might be able to replace Simcity.

[Kiya]

You make it sound as if EA simply buys whatever they fancy, whether it is for sale or not.
Oh, I quite forget you (?), TM and EA are in the US where money talks. But is it like in Russia where unwilling owners are forced to sell using different 'options'? :eek:

[AdrianWerner]

I follow the developers, not companies logos. If EA would buy them and start screw up they would just leave and form another company.

[Aushun]

After thinking about it, you may want Tilted Mills to fail at this title. They make good games and I wish them success with their titles.
Huh? :confused:

[panikattak]

Kiya:

If it's not for sale, then EA can't buy it. But the reality in business is everything is for sale. If not, then you're really not in business but something personal.

I'm not in America btw, and just so you know, money talks no matter where you're at.

Just to put the shoe on the other foot. Even if I was as addicted to Simcity as much as I am, and I owned Maxis and EA approached me to buy my company and I knew that selling my company could kill my addiction, I'd look at the size of the check before I decide on turning it down or not. It's just a game. Same as Tilted Mills, it's just a company.

[King Faticus]

History repeats itself many times (most of us are history buffs) Im sure SOMEone learned from these mistakes

[Romaq]

I thought the only thing we learn from history is that we never learn from history?

--Romaq

[mouse]

Usually designers/developers sell out for a regular paycheck and because of burn out. Don't think TM is at that point or they would never have spent the time creating TM and increasing their staff:D They would have just taken staff jobs at some game company instead of taking the risk of a startup company. Chris and his team love games and love creating them so even if they did fall for the big bucks they would soon start another company developing games;) Personally I'm glad they are developing games for different companies since that way they don't get burned out from creating the same type of game over and over:eek: Want every game they create to be wildly successful since that gives them more money to develop more games:D

[Aushun]

I believe TM can be classified as an 'Indie Developer'. Sounds cool, and hope it stays that way :D

[UnzippedSim77]

I don't even have it installed anymore. It's weird because I've been playing Simcity for 18 years and now when I hit the start button, there is a obvious absence of Simcity.

Talk about DRASTIC: no matter what the new game is like, Sim City 4 is still there to play regardless, and if you uninstalled previous Sim City Games in 'mourning' then the more the fool you are - I love playing SC4 and so will not uninstall it until I have something that replaces the absorbing nature of that game. I am intrigued to see the new game, though somewhat disappointed by a lot of aspects of what I've seen, but I know that my 'involvement' with SC4 means I will be playing it just as I normally do, regardless of my opinion of the new game. Sim City is not dead, it has not been killed. It is still a very popular game, and even if this game fails, the public still has its own Sim City 4 1/2 - the incorporation of creations from Simtropolis and other fans around the world that have made our Sim Cities what they are today.

[Avalon]

Desperate?
I'm in the process of divesting myself emotionally from Simcity. I don't even have it installed anymore. It's weird because I've been playing Simcity for 18 years and now when I hit the start button, there is a obvious absence of Simcity.

It's a freaking game mate, get a grip of yourself.

[Romaq]

I really love the fact that regardless of what happens to SC:S or CL2, SC4 will remain. And if either SC:S or CL2, or both, happen to prove interesting enough for me to cut checks, so much the better!

I have doubts and regrets concerning SC:S, but I also have vested interest, since my wife Mikaela may take an interest in SC:S. And I see opportunity.

Live is simply too short to hold a funeral for a game that hasn't even been published yet.

--Romaq

[panikattak]

Talk about DRASTIC: no matter what the new game is like, Sim City 4 is still there to play regardless, and if you uninstalled previous Sim City Games in 'mourning' then the more the fool you are - I love playing SC4 and so will not uninstall it until I have something that replaces the absorbing nature of that game.


It might be drastic, but I've been playing SC4 for the last year waiting for SC5 and if I'm interpeting the hand-writing on the wall, there's almost no chance there will be a SC5. So I'm playing waiting for nothing. When I realized that, I didn't even want to start the game again. And I know I'm addicted to SC. So playing only protracts the longing, and the longing in painful. I suppose my thing is why torture myself wondering about SC5? It's not coming.

And I've played all sorts of cities in SC4 already. Really fancy to really efficient to exploitive to unusual. I've played really custom cities and I've played with stock cities. I also completed all the ingame maps (I never did recreations, just played them), and played a quite a few custom maps. I shutter to think how many hours I put into the game even though I know could do more but this is entertainment and SC4 is getting dated for me.

I was really really looking forward to SC5 but this is one of those times in my life when I'm trying to decide, is it worth fighting for or is there any hope? Personally, I think Will Wrights lack of support is the death knell. The only hope I see is if he isn't happy with Societies, he might come back to do it how he thinks it should be done (it's his baby and sometimes that happens).

I'm trying to get excited about Societies. I'm not confident it can replace Simcity as an urban or modern city simulator, but I'm hoping it can be made into a city builder I would like to play.

I reinstalled Ceasar 4 to try to get a taste of what SCS might be like and I have to say, it's a totally different animal. It would be like comparing cats and dogs. Similar in may ways, but clearly different. I hope EA realizes that if this is the way Simcity is going to go, they're going to shed a lot of their old community. Maybe to the bottom line they won't see that because I know this is going to a successful title even though it's not Simcity. There's too many the Sims fans and family oriented parents who will buy this that I'm pretty sure it's going to drown out our voices that we still want SC5.

But I'm hoping there is still enough time for us Simcity fans to shape this title, and if not, we will be able to help shape the following title and that should be a lot better because much of the chaos over switching styles will be over and desired features lost in the transition will start to make their way back into the franchise (hopefully).

[panikattak]

It's a freaking game mate, get a grip of yourself.


Yes, it is a game. But I don't know about you, but when I have something around for 18 years, it's hard to get used to it not being there.

[Romaq]

Yes, it is a game. But I don't know about you, but when I have something around for 18 years, it's hard to get used to it not being there.

That's where http://www.neuticles.com/ comes in. Hope it helps, just don't take things too seriously.

--Romaq

[panikattak]

Romaq:

That was horribly distastful.

Funny, though. And just so you know, if I lost those now, my moniker would be my emotional state.

And off the cuff like that, that was good. Took me a second to get the joke too, even better when the realization hit.

[Romaq]

Please accept the humor, and do *not* take it as a personal accusation. You know, http://lincity-ng.berlios.de/wiki/index.php/Main_Page could likely very very much use the help of anyone who has decided SC5 is 'dead'. The concept of 'SC5' the way you believe it *should* be should *not* be dead. If the LinCity-NG folks don't have it right, start your own project. Or make lots of money and hire a company to build what *you* think is SC5. Just don't call it 'SimCity' anything. Talk to lawyers, talk to marketing, work out what you legally can sell. And make a fortune at it, please. You would likely create the game I'm looking for, and would be willing to buy. Or enough people might be willing to contribute to LinCity-NG to make *it* the SC5 concept I have in mind, and I would get to play *that* game 'free'.

But very few things of lasting value are ever really free. Don't let *your* dream of SC5 die. Please. You might contribute to a development group making more of the ideal 'SimCity' game, from my perspective at least. You might be the moneybags that hires a development team and produces it. Life is full of possibilities and and potential for dreams made real. With LOTS of effort and, at times, horrific disappointment. But the potential remains, and your dream of SC5 waits for *you*.

Just... don't call it 'SimCity' or you'll have to deal with Mongo (http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2007/06/17/). Go for your vision of 'SC5'. Please. And the world (and you) will be the richer for it.

--Romaq

[panikattak]

Trust me, I laughed. I didn't take it personal at all.

I've have considered at least some of what you said already. I've looked into Lincity and it's interesting.

I'd love to do my own version of SC as I'm sure all of us Simcity fans would love. I'll give what you say some consideration and maybe I can find a way to contribute to the furthering of Simcity RCI.

And don't worry, I know all too well how EA would react to me ever using the name Sim in any way in my title and it looked like any of their products. A ton of bricks would be more pleasant.

[Romaq]

Life is too short, too full of wonderful possibilities to explore. Thank you. :)