Holy cow John Tiller has gone digital: Kharkov 43

[SlickWilhelm]

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

One other thing that has irked me over the years is that Tiller doesn't even grace us with his prescence. Why is that? Even the worst the developers show up to interact with their customer base once in awhile. In the 10+ years that I've purchased Tiller designed games, first thru Talonsoft then HPS, I cannot remember one instance where Tiller actually communicated with his customer base/fans. Everything comes thru Rahamy or Glenn Saunders. If you notice Rahamy is here and at the Wargamer site while Glenn is at the Blitz, both trying to put out the fires due to this DRM fiasco. Where is Tiller? He's nowhere to found. Sorry but that doesn't sit too well with me.

Maybe it's because he's not exactly a people person, and is smart enough to let his colleagues deal with the customers. Some people are genius with code, but have limited people skills. I don't know if this is the reason, but it could be.

His reasons may not be as sinister as what you're implying.

[htuna]

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

One other thing that has irked me over the years is that Tiller doesn't even grace us with his prescence. Why is that? Even the worst the developers show up to interact with their customer base once in awhile. In the 10+ years that I've purchased Tiller designed games, first thru Talonsoft then HPS, I cannot remember one instance where Tiller actually communicated with his customer base/fans. Everything comes thru Rahamy or Glenn Saunders. If you notice Rahamy is here and at the Wargamer site while Glenn is at the Blitz, both trying to put out the fires due to this DRM fiasco. Where is Tiller? He's nowhere to found. Sorry but that doesn't sit too well with me.

Maybe it's because he's not exactly a people person, and is smart enough to let his colleagues deal with the customers. Some people are genius with code, but have limited people skills. I don't know if this is the reason, but it could be.

His reasons may not be as sinister as what you're implying.

That was my thoughts as well Slick!... Glenn and Rahamy do an excellent job, got those special skills like Erik!

[jazman]

All I know is there is $40 in my bank account that had "Kharkov '43" written all over them, and my credit card was a-shakin' and a-tremblin'. Now all is calm, and I still have that $40 in my bank account. Ah, it's best to keep the deck clear for War in the East, anyway.

[Strela_Oz]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

I'm not familiar with the names credited with this game's scenario design (David Freer, Eric Baker, and Phil Niven) but let's see what they've come up with hey?

Hi Adam,

We are three Aussies (like yourself) who have done a fair bit of work with SSG. Our first collaboration with Panzer Campaigns was the Alt scenarios etc for Korsun '44 that is out on Volcano Man's site.

Kharkov '43 is our first completely original work and we are pretty pleased with it. It is one of the really big sweeping operations of the Eastern Front.

I also saw you mention 6th Guards Cav Corp and crossing the Oskol River in another thread - to make you feel better they are ersatz SS your facing. SS Polizei to be accurate - not quite as tough as LAH or DR.... The Oskol will just be the first of a few river crossings before you get to Kharkov...

David

[tevans6220]

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm
Maybe it's because he's not exactly a people person, and is smart enough to let his colleagues deal with the customers. Some people are genius with code, but have limited people skills. I don't know if this is the reason, but it could be.

His reasons may not be as sinister as what you're implying.

I'm not implying anything sinister. It just strikes me as odd that a developer who wants to self-publish can't even be bothered to take the time to personally interact with people. There's always a go between and it gives the impression that we're unworthy of dealing with him directly. Limited people skills when dealing face to face, I could understand. But we're talking about forum or email types of communication. Like I said, even the worst developers communicate with customers or potential customers. His name is on the website and yet we can't communicate with him directly. That seems a little odd to me and it's not the best way to garner business to a new website.

[E]

ORIGINAL: tevans6220
There's always a go between and it gives the impression that we're unworthy of dealing with him directly.

I think you're reading far, far, far, far too much into that. Perhaps it's something much simpler... like "time."

[rhondabrwn]

He has a nice website. The information provided on the new game includes ample screen shots and detailed information as well as free downloads of things like a planning map. I was always a bit frustrated by the lack of information on the HPS site for new games, usually just a couple of screen shots.

I enjoyed seeing the staff bios and pictures as well.

Generally a lot of information there and I do wish them well in their new endeavor. I'm sure they'll be flexible in working out compromises in the areas of complaint being voiced here.

My concern is only that I'll miss the discounted NWS pricing. I would hope that they would continue that channel for people not wanting to download their game... or just cheap enough to be able to wait a week or so to save $10 [:D]

[rahamy]

For the last dozen years John had his personal site up (where the original 32-bit updates for the BG series could be downloaded) and his personal email was on that. Its not on the new one & E hit the nail on the head - time. Its not that he won't talk to customers, its that he is strapped for time - with 10+ series to maintain commercially and Government work, you must delegate certain things.

[nelmsm1]

After all, it's not like Bill Gates answers complaints about Windows on any forums is it......and he probably has much more time on his hands then John Tiller!

[tevans6220]

ORIGINAL: nelmsm

After all, it's not like Bill Gates answers complaints about Windows on any forums is it......and he probably has much more time on his hands then John Tiller!

True but Bill Gates isn't opening a new business venture by self-publishing his products on his own website. Gates is established. Tiller is just getting started with self-publishing. He needs to talk to us. Anybody opening a new business needs to talk to their customers. Self-publishing his own products is a new business venture.

[tevans6220]

ORIGINAL: rahamy

For the last dozen years John had his personal site up (where the original 32-bit updates for the BG series could be downloaded) and his personal email was on that. Its not on the new one & E hit the nail on the head - time. Its not that he won't talk to customers, its that he is strapped for time - with 10+ series to maintain commercially and Government work, you must delegate certain things.

Sorry Rahamy but that's not an excuse. Anybody in business will tell you that have to talk to your customers and you make the time. You and Glenn do an excellent job but John needs to communicate with us also. Self publishing is a new business venture. You're saying that John Tiller is so strapped for time that he can't talk to customers on a forum. I don't accept that. He found the time to open a new website/business but can't find the time to personally promote it. Maybe I could excuse it in the past as his titles were published by other companies (Talonsoft, HPS) but now he's self-publishing. The man needs to talk to us directly if for no other reason than to promote his new business venture. Before I give him my money I want to hear from him about the DRM situation and his plans for the future. No offense but you and Glenn could tell us anything that could later be denied or passed off as a misrepresentation. Bottom line is that a new business requires time talking with customers. If Tiller can't make that time then he's not going to get my business.

[junk2drive]

Maybe we are just spoiled by Matrix/Slitherine requiring all their devs to show up and post. And guys like Erik and Iain and Chris from NWS checking other forums and posting there too.

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: junk2drive
Maybe we are just spoiled by Matrix/Slitherine requiring all their devs to show up and post. And guys like Erik and Iain and Chris from NWS checking other forums and posting there too.

Wargaming is a funny business - normally you'd expect the smaller companies to be more user-friendly than the 800 Lb gorilla one, but here it's almost the reverse.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[jazman]

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

ORIGINAL: rahamy

For the last dozen years John had his personal site up (where the original 32-bit updates for the BG series could be downloaded) and his personal email was on that. Its not on the new one & E hit the nail on the head - time. Its not that he won't talk to customers, its that he is strapped for time - with 10+ series to maintain commercially and Government work, you must delegate certain things.

Sorry Rahamy but that's not an excuse. Anybody in business will tell you that have to talk to your customers and you make the time. You and Glenn do an excellent job but John needs to communicate with us also. Self publishing is a new business venture. You're saying that John Tiller is so strapped for time that he can't talk to customers on a forum. I don't accept that. He found the time to open a new website/business but can't find the time to personally promote it. Maybe I could excuse it in the past as his titles were published by other companies (Talonsoft, HPS) but now he's self-publishing. The man needs to talk to us directly if for no other reason than to promote his new business venture. Before I give him my money I want to hear from him about the DRM situation and his plans for the future. No offense but you and Glenn could tell us anything that could later be denied or passed off as a misrepresentation. Bottom line is that a new business requires time talking with customers. If Tiller can't make that time then he's not going to get my business.

I've always wondered about it, it's peculiar given the Internet has been around a while, but it never factored in to my buying decisions. Since it's always been that way, to bring it up now as some kind of big deal seems like a red herring to me.

[SlickWilhelm]

ORIGINAL: rahamy

with 10+ series to maintain commercially and Government work, you must delegate certain things.

He's got government work? What does he need our money for, then? [:D]

[junk2drive]

Stimulate the economy?

[hgilmer3]

As others have pointed out before.  Online activation means that you have to assume the company will always be in business because if it is not in business anymore, you don't play the game. 

For some that is acceptable.  For others it is not.  It seems the vast majority of your lawful customers do not like this DRM thing.  Just my thoughts.  I have looked many times at Mr. Tiller's wargames and have been intrigued to no end.  The problem with me is I'm addicted to digital download.  So, I've never made the jump to ordering for physical delivery.  I've only done that one time for War in the Pacific. 

I flat refuse to buy anything that burdens me with the knowledge that a company going out of business loses me that game.  And with the economy the way it is, that is something that we live with - even the strongest of companies have found themselves on shaky footing.

This is why Matrix has such loyal customers.  I know that 20 years from now I'll be able to fire up War in the Pacific.  And when I have bought my 20th computer and it runs on 1.2 quadrillion megahertz, I'll be able to play War in the Pacific still, as long as the operating system is still compatible. But, if it isn't, I can still get out my old copy of Win 7, install it on an old computer and then play War in the Pacific, even if Matrix has finally went out of business.

Sorry for the long post.

[hgilmer3]

I just wanted to add, I have steam, which I don't really like so much and very rarely even play the 2-3 games I have on it.

[papajack]

Unfortunately the people behind JTS are short sighted , did not realize the amount of sales they are losing due to this DRM

There are huge customer base in Matrixgames / Slitherine that did not buy HPS titles before due to lack of digital download

Now JTS has the ability tap in this fat market but unfortunately narrow minded people are running the business...

HPS should take advantage of this and release all the current products in digital download

[htuna]

HPS prices are too high.. I don't think they'll gain anything.. I have a choice between 50 at HPS or 30 at NWS.. gonna choose NWS all the time..