Business Model

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns
I have played HTTR and plain and simple I didn't care for it. So that is another reason BftB has no extreme value to me.

So you're complaining about the price of a game you don't care about being too high ?

Might I suggest just skipping it ?

Kind Regards,

Eddy Sterckx

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns
Oh wow a once a year sale and RARELY a NEW RELEASE is EVER on that SALE. You make us wait TWO years before you put 99% of your new releases onsale and you know it. You also didn't start those blitzkrieg sales until very recently maybe 2 years ago. Plus they come and go so fast if someone doesn't browse this forum every single day they will miss out anyway. And we're lucky if you have more than one blitzkrieg sale a year.

It's pretty clear I cannot make you happy, but for what it's worth the rule of thumb is more like we don't put games released in the last 6-9 months in the Holiday sale. Before the mega-sales of the last two years, it was more restrictive. You claimed that our holiday sales were getting worse, when in fact they have been getting significantly better.

Where's your MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS like Slitherine does?

http://www.matrixgames.com/community/newsletter.asp

I don't understand how you let Paradox and Strategy First and even Slitherine before you (had) to partner with them outdo you in sales and service? How come they can "afford" to give sales on everyone of their products and you can't? You even have a larger library or did. Even Slitherine your partner now gives "preorder" sales on games like Field of Glory and its expansions. Plus their games are priced accordingly around $30 for most new releases. Also, your games don't have to be $10 but for gods sakes games 15 years old should be somewhere in that range.

In general, you are comparing retail titles and retail-oriented publishers to us and that's not an apples to apples comparison. Offering pre-orders is a store technology issue, hopefully we'll be able to do that in the future, but it's also partly a philosophical issue. Once you offer pre-orders and start coming under pressure from customers who have already paid for the game, there is a tendency to put getting the release out ahead of making sure the release is ready. Resisting this pressure can be difficult. Philosophically, we prefer to make sure we feel the release is ready before we set a release date and we don't like to let anything get in the way of that.

As far as pricing, again these are very different markets and games. You could send BFTB to retail for $30 a box and that would be a good way to guarantee there is no future for the series. We have a number of games in our $19.99 and under section, we don't generally price lower than $19.99 due to the fixed costs we have with DR.

I'm comparing a PRICE TAG and the VALUE vs that PRICE. More for my money that's the bottom line and that's all that matters to a consumer. You think I wonder how many beans are in a can of Pork n Beans? I care about the PRICE first and then the Ounces and then value per ounce.

The point is that games like Elemental have a completely different economy of scale than BFTB. That's simply the way it is. You can't make a game as serious and realistic as BFTB and expect it to appeal to as many people as Elemental. Therefore, the price also can't be the same. If you enjoy and want more real wargames vs. strategy games, then you have to realize that they are in their own niche and have their own business model. Comparing mainstream games to niche wargames is simply an uninformed comparison. It is obviously your choice which game to buy and in the end they both compete for the same dollar, but it comes down to each gamer's preference as to what better addresses their interests.

I realize you are in the business to make a profit but at some point it turns from profit to greed. In this case that is what I see compared to the hundreds of other wargames out there.

If we were greedy, frankly we would not be making niche wargames. We would be making games like Elemental which would make us all far wealthier than catering to a niche (a niche we happen to love, which is why we do this). In a way it's the same question as why pay $80 for BFTB. Why would I not work on more mainstream games if I could make two or three times the money? Because I happen to love wargames. That's the same reason I'd buy BFTB over Elemental (though I'd buy both if I could afford both).

You act as if BftB is gods gift to mankind of a wargame. Sorry, but its not. There will be many others after it as there are before it.

I simply claim it is the most realistic simulation of those battles created to date. Is it the right game for you? Only you can make that decision. Will there be others like it if not enough wargamers buy it? Absolutely not, at least not for many years, but that's also why the price is set where it is.

The market for a game like this is relatively small and the folks who prefer these games over other kinds of games have to be the ones to make sure more games like this are developed. Ultimately the market will decide whether there will be more games like this or not.

Regards,

- Erik

[MajFrankBurns]

I guess I just wished I could understand why you don't want MORE shoppers in your store. I've seen it so many times over my lifetime these NICHE HOBBY SHOPS open up and close in the middle of the night. They never survive because they are like a horse with blinders on and focus on ONE THING. So now my question is why don't you do like Paradox and Strategy First and even Stardock and BRANCH OUT into other avenues so you can open your doors to "everyone" instead of just your niche friends and family? Remember KayBee toy stores? How about M.E. Moses?(I used to get my toy army men from there in 100pc packages) Gibson's Discount Centers?

Also I never see that newletter in my email that's what I'm talking about when I say news LETTER. (key word being letter) An EMAIL to me about an upcoming sales or promotion would be nice. I get Slitherines every single month.

[MajFrankBurns]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns
I have played HTTR and plain and simple I didn't care for it. So that is another reason BftB has no extreme value to me.

So you're complaining about the price of a game you don't care about being too high ?

Might I suggest just skipping it ?

Kind Regards,

Eddy Sterckx

Did I say I didn't care about it? You need to comprehend what you read. I said I didn't care for HTTR. I made no futher comments as to WHY! You just ASSumed and you know what ASSuming does don't you? [:-]

[bairdlander2]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns


[/quote]
I have played HTTR and plain and simple I didn't care for it. So that is another reason BftB has no extreme value to me.


[/quote]
You are not making any sense.If you didnt like HTTR why would you have any interest in BftB?You say BftB has no value to you,yet you rant and rave about the price?Give us a break from your nonsense Killroyishere.[&:]

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns
I have played HTTR and plain and simple I didn't care for it. So that is another reason BftB has no extreme value to me.

So you're complaining about the price of a game you don't care about being too high ?

Might I suggest just skipping it ?

Did I say I didn't care about it? You need to comprehend what you read. I said I didn't care for HTTR. I made no futher comments as to WHY! You just ASSumed and you know what ASSuming does don't you? [:-]

Oh, at this point, and after having read a dozen of your posts, I'm assuming a lot more. Here's another assumption : I'll never have to read another one of them again - <plonk>

Eddy Sterckx

[PunkReaper]

<plonk>

??

[JudgeDredd]

I think that's the imaginery sound the green button makes [:D]

[PunkReaper]

ah mine makes more of a <F@%K YOU> type of sound

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: Perturabo

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

Basically it's a bit like liking gourmet food, but refusing to pay a little premium over a MacDo meal.

With worms.

Sounds like the Big Boys we went to in Acapulco in '83.........worm burgers

[Toby42]

Yeah, I gave him the Green Button also....

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

I guess I just wished I could understand why you don't want MORE shoppers in your store. I've seen it so many times over my lifetime these NICHE HOBBY SHOPS open up and close in the middle of the night. They never survive because they are like a horse with blinders on and focus on ONE THING. So now my question is why don't you do like Paradox and Strategy First and even Stardock and BRANCH OUT into other avenues so you can open your doors to "everyone" instead of just your niche friends and family? Remember KayBee toy stores? How about M.E. Moses?(I used to get my toy army men from there in 100pc packages) Gibson's Discount Centers?

Also I never see that newletter in my email that's what I'm talking about when I say news LETTER. (key word being letter) An EMAIL to me about an upcoming sales or promotion would be nice. I get Slitherines every single month.

The only people who would shop in that store are the same shoppers as now with only a few new curiosity seekers.... Face it, this is a niche field. We arent getting any new young blood in droves and all of us are getting older. While I personally would love a lower price, all it would do is give less money to Matrix and hence to the developers of these games making them desert us and jump into fields full of pimply faced twitch gamers.. All we would have left would be memories of the old days......

[MajFrankBurns]

ORIGINAL: bairdlander

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

I have played HTTR and plain and simple I didn't care for it. So that is another reason BftB has no extreme value to me.


[/quote]
You are not making any sense.If you didnt like HTTR why would you have any interest in BftB?You say BftB has no value to you,yet you rant and rave about the price?Give us a break from your nonsense Killroyishere.[&:]
[/quote]

To answer your question I was interested in the Bulge with that engine, but, not for $80. Though I've played it 100 ways I might have looked at it for $60. HTTR Market Garden didn't interest me. Once again you ASSumed something I didn't say. You ASSumed what you "thought" I meant. You really shouldn't ASSume so much. BTW aren't you the Paradox forum troll here? [:-][:D]

[MajFrankBurns]

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

I guess I just wished I could understand why you don't want MORE shoppers in your store. I've seen it so many times over my lifetime these NICHE HOBBY SHOPS open up and close in the middle of the night. They never survive because they are like a horse with blinders on and focus on ONE THING. So now my question is why don't you do like Paradox and Strategy First and even Stardock and BRANCH OUT into other avenues so you can open your doors to "everyone" instead of just your niche friends and family? Remember KayBee toy stores? How about M.E. Moses?(I used to get my toy army men from there in 100pc packages) Gibson's Discount Centers?

Also I never see that newletter in my email that's what I'm talking about when I say news LETTER. (key word being letter) An EMAIL to me about an upcoming sales or promotion would be nice. I get Slitherines every single month.

The only people who would shop in that store are the same shoppers as now with only a few new curiosity seekers.... Face it, this is a niche field. We arent getting any new young blood in droves and all of us are getting older. While I personally would love a lower price, all it would do is give less money to Matrix and hence to the developers of these games making them desert us and jump into fields full of pimply faced twitch gamers.. All we would have left would be memories of the old days......

That ^ is pretty much an ASSumptive statement as well. You can't prove any of that. Mere speculation is all you can muster.

[bairdlander2]

green button

[bairdlander2]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

[/quote] BTW aren't you the Paradox forum troll here? [:-][:D]
[/quote]
You mean the forum you have been banned from for insulting others and trolling?Under what name were you on that forum?As stated by me and several others we are sick of you bs.

[diablo1]

I think he means you bairdlander you have been the forum troll here for a long time. I even remember your runins with killjoy. lol Green button time. lmao

[bairdlander2]

Yes he was almost banned or was banned so he opened a new account with the name MajBurns.[:'(]

[Phatguy]

he(majburns) reminds me of a certain someone who was banned a long time ago...

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

ORIGINAL: apathetic lurker

ORIGINAL: MajFrankBurns

I guess I just wished I could understand why you don't want MORE shoppers in your store. I've seen it so many times over my lifetime these NICHE HOBBY SHOPS open up and close in the middle of the night. They never survive because they are like a horse with blinders on and focus on ONE THING. So now my question is why don't you do like Paradox and Strategy First and even Stardock and BRANCH OUT into other avenues so you can open your doors to "everyone" instead of just your niche friends and family? Remember KayBee toy stores? How about M.E. Moses?(I used to get my toy army men from there in 100pc packages) Gibson's Discount Centers?

Also I never see that newletter in my email that's what I'm talking about when I say news LETTER. (key word being letter) An EMAIL to me about an upcoming sales or promotion would be nice. I get Slitherines every single month.

The only people who would shop in that store are the same shoppers as now with only a few new curiosity seekers.... Face it, this is a niche field. We arent getting any new young blood in droves and all of us are getting older. While I personally would love a lower price, all it would do is give less money to Matrix and hence to the developers of these games making them desert us and jump into fields full of pimply faced twitch gamers.. All we would have left would be memories of the old days......

That ^ is pretty much an ASSumptive statement as well. You can't prove any of that. Mere speculation is all you can muster.

and neither can you. Can you PROVE more people would shop here if the price was lower?