Railroads! and showing Firaxis we want to see it thrive.

[Modeltrainman]

I just had a couple of ideas about Firaxis and Railroads! Would it be beneficial to pack all the mods on this site on a DVD and send it to Firaxis? This way they could see all the love and dedication people have poured into this game. Also, if you go to http://www.firaxis.com/company/gamefeedback.php
you can tell them what you want for Railroads!.

[Modeltrainman]

What does anybody think of sending the mods for SMR to Firaxis?

[Burlington_Northern_3140]

From what I have read I don't think they will do much with them.

[Modeltrainman]

[quote="Burlington_Northern_3140"]From what I have read I don't think they will do much with them.[/quote]
So we shouldn't even try?

[Burlington_Northern_3140]

You can, although I do not expect anything to happen. If they respond thats great!

[CalmDragon]

What normally happens in this industry is that a video game is supported by the publisher for one year from it's date of release. After that, do not expect any more patches or official fixes. Third party customizations can still happen for years if it stays popular. The publisher would rather create a new/improved sequel or expansion to sell and start the support cycle all over again.

[Modeltrainman]

[quote="CalmDragon"]What normally happens in this industry is that a video game is supported by the publisher for one year from it's date of release. After that, do not expect any more patches or official fixes. Third party customizations can still happen for years if it stays popular. The publisher would rather create a new/improved sequel or expansion to sell and start the support cycle all over again.[/quote]
I want to show them that people would like an expansion.

[Modeltrainman]

[quote="Modeltrainman"][quote="CalmDragon"]What normally happens in this industry is that a video game is supported by the publisher for one year from it's date of release. After that, do not expect any more patches or official fixes. Third party customizations can still happen for years if it stays popular. The publisher would rather create a new/improved sequel or expansion to sell and start the support cycle all over again.[/quote]
I want to show them that people would like an expansion.[/quote]
Anybody like this idea, besides those that have already replied?

[Burlington_Northern_3140]

Very nice Idea, although it might not happen. It might benifit them more to just create a new version. I would still like to see a new expansion, patch, or fix.

[Modeltrainman]

[quote="Burlington_Northern_3140"]Very nice Idea, although it might not happen. It might benifit them more to just create a new version. I would still like to see a new expansion, patch, or fix.[/quote]

Can you help me get support? Please?

[Burlington_Northern_3140]

Yes, I would help.

[karsten]

Hi guys, just arrived back from my trip to China and India.

I think this is a good time to see if priorities at Take Two have changed. With the financial crisis in full swing, Electronic Arts pulled their unsolicited $2 billion bid for TT in mid-September and TT shares have lost 30% during the two weeks since then (EA also fell 30%, because the expectation is that game cos will be hit harder by the crisis in the next few months).

TT are now completing a strategic review of their business. The good news for us in this is that TT have decided to stay independent (= better games), and they probably need to make money more than ever.

With TT people less worried about losing their jobs and titles in a merger, this might be a good time to remind them of an opportunity to burnish their reputation with customers who bought SMR. Same goes for Firaxis, who have worked overtime to get Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution and Civilization 4: Colonization out in time for the end-of-year sales period.

If you want to send a sample of user mods, two or three good ones (with some attractive screenshots!) are probably much more effective than an avalanche of stuff which they won't look at in detail anyway. Certainly, maps should be tested standalone (CIC and SAM) versions to ensure that they don't crash (if and) when someone at TT or Firaxis decides to try one.

[Modeltrainman]

Will you help us pick the best ones, Karsten? Will you join this effort?

[Burlington_Northern_3140]

I would send about 5 maps and 5 engines. What do you think? The list of suggestions I have is:

Florida Gold 400 by lowell (cic)
Utah by Karsten/Universum (sam)
AZ Canyon V02 by Karsten/Universum (sam)

[Modeltrainman]

[quote="Burlington_Northern_3140"]I would send about 5 maps and 5 engines. What do you think? The list of suggestions I have is:

Florida Gold 400 by lowell (cic)
Utah by Karsten/Universum (sam)
AZ Canyon V02 by Karsten/Universum (sam)[/quote]
I like it!