Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
Erik already addresses this - he negotiated with Steam and declined to enter into a contract with them.

I'd be interested in seeing the source of this info. Did Erik post about it somewhere on the forums?

ORIGINAL: Kayoz

ORIGINAL: bryanhbell
I found out about Distant Worlds when another player suggested it on reddit. I've done my best to give this game further exposure there by creating a subreddit for the game

Sadly, use of social media as a marketing tool is something that Matrix hasn't gotten to grips with. 931 likes for their Facebook page is a clue as to how well they're using it.

ORIGINAL: RaffleSnaffle
...steam is good about having sales and makes it simple to recommend this game on steam to all of the people I have as friends on there as well.

Erik already addresses this - he negotiated with Steam and declined to enter into a contract with them. Steam being good or bad for marketing is irrelevant. Business with Steam wouldn't benefit Matrix and Code Force, so they didn't sign on the dotted line. As Steam contracts are confidential, anyone praising the benefits of Steam is expressing an opinion without any facts to support their assertion.

It may not have been beneficial to enter a contract with them previously, but it may be a good idea now... Just because it wasn't a good idea at the time doesn't mean it is off the board forever.

There are plenty of facts from publishers who use Steam regarding on how beneficial it is to them. I'll give you a pretty well-known strategy game publisher, Paradox Interactive. They have stated that Steam now accounts for approx. 3/4 of their total sales and they are owners of another distribution service, GamersGate. And a publisher spreading word about Steam helping sales being confidential is silly, them spreading word about that will help Steam get more business!

Steam is a PITA.

I greatly prefer matrix. Gog.com is the best.

Found dw on youtube looking for 4x games.

ORIGINAL: bryanhbell

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
Erik already addresses this - he negotiated with Steam and declined to enter into a contract with them.

I'd be interested in seeing the source of this info. Did Erik post about it somewhere on the forums?

I can't find the specific post - I think I pieced it together from several posts, in which he indicated that he was negotiating with Steam at one point, and later posted that it was in Matrix's interest to maximize profits for them and Code Force; but with no further comment on Steam.

It's possible that I'm wrong - but he probably can't comment on any negotiations due to non-disclosure agreements. Steam seems to be quite strict about enforcing silence regarding their contracts.

ORIGINAL: slovenian89
And a publisher spreading word about Steam helping sales being confidential is silly, them spreading word about that will help Steam get more business!

All Steam contracts are confidential. Steam/Valve does not reveal any details of their division of monies, or sales figures.

PI's comments are anecdotal and not evidence. Their comments are as reliable as any comment you might see endorsing the effectiveness of "herbal Viagra", "anti-ageing creams" or weight loss products. If you trust them, then ... well, I know some people who do affiliate marketing and have a whole list of products they'd love to sell you.

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
All Steam contracts are confidential. Steam/Valve does not reveal any details of their division of monies, or sales figures.

PI's comments are anecdotal and not evidence. Their comments are as reliable as any comment you might see endorsing the effectiveness of "herbal Viagra", "anti-ageing creams" or weight loss products. If you trust them, then ... well, I know some people who do affiliate marketing and have a whole list of products they'd love to sell you.

I understand you may hold some strong views on this subject, but can you perhaps tone it down a bit? No need to insult other posters.

I don't think the context of this forum is one in which we're expected to back up any statements we make with ironclad arguments supported by studies and statistics. I think it's understood here without calling it out specifically that we're just discussing our opinions about Matrix Games' marketing strategies.

ORIGINAL: bryanhbell

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
All Steam contracts are confidential. Steam/Valve does not reveal any details of their division of monies, or sales figures.

PI's comments are anecdotal and not evidence. Their comments are as reliable as any comment you might see endorsing the effectiveness of "herbal Viagra", "anti-ageing creams" or weight loss products. If you trust them, then ... well, I know some people who do affiliate marketing and have a whole list of products they'd love to sell you.

I understand you may hold some strong views on this subject, but can you perhaps tone it down a bit? No need to insult other posters.

I don't think the context of this forum is one in which we're expected to back up any statements we make with ironclad arguments supported by studies and statistics. I think it's understood here without calling it out specifically that we're just discussing our opinions about Matrix Games' marketing strategies.

I got a bunch of sources of official statements from CEOs of various publishers regarding sales figures on Steam and how they had a significant boost in revenue, but I can't post links... Still haven't seen anything bad about releasing on Steam, unless only the bad figures are "confidential".

I don't think anyone doubts that using Steam will increase ones sales (which does not necessarily directly correlate into increased profits). I just think there is a market out there for folks like me that don't want to mess with applications like Steam just to play a game on my home computer.

A good comparison would be you selling antiques yourself or taking it to the auction house to be sold...

You can sell it yourself, and in you will likely not get the very top dollar for the product or sell as many of them, but you pocket ALL of the money (Matrix current model). Optionally you can sell the antiques via an auctioneer and sell more of them or even get more money for them...only now you add in additional overhead (Steam model).

Steam, just like the aution house, is going to take a portion of the sale as commission to cover their overhead (and lets face it, they want a profit too). That commission can be a large portion of the sale price (most auction houses get a 30% commission minimum).

So what you have to do is the math. Can selling X units at Y price via steam when paying their commission net you as much profit as selling A units at B price yourself? I'm sure the Matrix crew has done this math, and for now their answer is what it is.

GOG would be worth looking at. That is something Matrix should look at i am not sure what the commission is but it would have to be less than Steam.

Not too sure I need to back what I said up with facts since the popularity of steam and it's widespread use speaks for itself. Still like the idea of greenlight; see if the game gains enough popularity there to see if it would be a good fit on the platform.

Also not saying I think Matrix HAS TO DO ANYTHING. I like what Shark7 has said about Matrix doing the math on if it's worth it to sell on Steam. They obviously explored it and it's not in there interest to do so.

Opinions aside Kayoz, software does have a tendency to sell on Steam. Not saying it would for sure be without a doubt a good thing to do for Matrix, but maybe it would. WHO KNOWS! haha.

Ok officially signing off on this discussion!

I started an exactly similar post 5 months when I discovered DW (by recommendation on Paradox or was it stardock forums). There has been similar posts since at the rate of 1 per month.

I know Codeforce has declined steam. Well, people make mistakes an dcodeforce is still just 1 person as far as I know. I hope that DW does well financially. Hopefully DW2 will be distributed so that the production team of DW3 will have at least 5 people working on it.

ORIGINAL: Velihopea

I know Codeforce has declined steam. Well, people make mistakes an dcodeforce is still just 1 person as far as I know. I hope that DW does well financially. Hopefully DW2 will be distributed so that the production team of DW3 will have at least 5 people working on it.

Meow ... [:D]

Darkspire

I found this game at spacesector.com

ORIGINAL: bryanhbell

I don't think the context of this forum is one in which we're expected to back up any statements we make with ironclad arguments supported by studies and statistics. I think it's understood here without calling it out specifically that we're just discussing our opinions about Matrix Games' marketing strategies.

If you don't have any facts or figures, how can you discuss an opinion; much less a business one?

Also, I think Erik knows his job well enough to judge for himself whether or not Steam distribution is worthwhile. Respecting his decision is a "strong view" I do hold to.

I heard that matrix and steam are competitors. I got this information from my buttocks so I know the source is reliable.

ORIGINAL: jpwrunyan

I heard that matrix and steam are competitors. I got this information from my buttocks so I know the source is reliable.

"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."
~~ Mark Twain

The only thing I can add to this discussion is this: If the game had been offered on Steam and not here at Matrix, I wouldn't be playing it.

My point being...there is always some group of potential customers you will miss despite which sales model you use. You've got people that have never heard of Matrix, and you have people like me that refuse to use Steam, etc etc etc. Basically its almost impossible to reach every potential customer...even with TV, Radio and internet advertising. Some will always fall through the cracks and be missed.

Multiple avenues can be better, but only if it helps the company, not costs it more than its worth.

I have no problems with the game being sold exclusively by Matrix. The main problem is the lack of advertisement I believe as the game suffers from being relatively unknown compared to most other 4X games. There are plenty of ways to advertise this game without spending money with youtube and word of mouth being perfect examples.

ORIGINAL: Satosky

I have no problems with the game being sold exclusively by Matrix. The main problem is the lack of advertisement I believe as the game suffers from being relatively unknown compared to most other 4X games. There are plenty of ways to advertise this game without spending money with youtube and word of mouth being perfect examples.

Youtube Codeforce needs to update its tags on the videos, the tags on there dont come up well on searches, if they filled the tags up to cover most game searches that might help a bit more.

Darkspire

ORIGINAL: Darkspire
Youtube Codeforce needs to update its tags on the videos

gangnam style [:D]