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PotBS is *not* owned by Sony
RickSaada
Senior Developer, POTBSMember Posts: 200
Blackvenom's thread is locked or I'd reply there, but I want to be very clear about this. SONY DOES NOT OWN POTBS. SONY DOES NOT OWN FLS. There. Now I feel better. Sorry, back to the polite Rick.
The Sony station pass is not limited to games owned by Sony. Any game that has billing done by Sony is eligible to be a part of it, if the developers so choose. When we signed a distribution deal with Sony Platform Publishing to have them to put boxes on shelves for us and handle our billing, we agreed to be part of the station pass. Perpetual Entertainment, for Gods & Heroes, chose to do boxes but not billing or station pass. It's an option but not required. Since they are doing our billing, we use the station launcher and get listed on their site, which is fine by us. They're doing marketing and publicity for us, and it would be weird if we *weren't* on their site. But this doesn't mean they've bought us.
You may now remove your tinfoil hats
Rick Saada - FLS Dev & EPFBM
Comments
I believe you Rick, now give me a beta key so I can discard this petty real life of mine and serve in your kingdom!
Lmao, like I believe you. You probably think you still have the autonomous right now and think that PotBS is not part of Sony. But it's capitalism, meaning Sony probably working on their 12 step plan to wrestle out PotBS from FlyingLab. Goodluck btw, you will need it.
__________________
Playing: EVE & Runescape @ work : P
How can it be that you uses fancy words like "autonomous", "capitalism", and also be that ignorant?
I'm so broke. I can't even pay attention.
"You have the right not to be killed"
Vanguard
Explain on how they would be doing that, based on that SIGIL actually needed alot more subscribers for Vanguard to go around then what POTBS apperantly needs.
(And I think the conclusion made from those that play Vanguard is that they are content that SOE picked it up rather then have SIGIL go broke/fail and close the servers. So it really is not that good of an example as one could hope that they do the same for POTBS in any unlikely event that FLS dont want to run the game anymore for whatever unlikely reason that would be.)
I'm so broke. I can't even pay attention.
"You have the right not to be killed"
Nice, I guess I hit a nerve. Please look at the early business deals and statements of this developer before you proclaim them as your hero. Here's two: first they published that all had gone good that they are going to publish it in June, this without Sony, then baam, they delay the launch date and Sony suddenly appeared, and hey it doesn't probably occurred to you that the developer are not doing good financially and they need help. I would assume that Sony bail them out in exchange of some stake from the game. Secondly, are you sure you believe all what they say despite the fact that they keep lying in regards to launch date and etcetera. They treat people like a dog chasing your own tail in hopes that you will finally catch it. I still believe this game will be awesome and the concept rocks, but for now play on what they had given you...HYPE!
Now, if you considered me an ignorant then sorry. I considered myself as a potential client. a client who demand an honest answer from the producer.
__________________
Playing: EVE & Runescape @ work : P
sigh.
soe is a publisher first, remember that.
if soe becomes an owner which it has in the past that is because a company sold their game to sony.
but no PotBS has not sold their game to soe, they just took on soe as a publisher.
that means soe puts their game in nice boxes on the shelves in stores all across america thus generating alot more income and receiving alot more potential buyers/subs then if they did an in house hosting solution.
so relax, the developers have already proven themselves gamers at heart and that they really care about the game. Almost EVERY big hit game is being delayed nowadays and mmos are always known to be delayed heavily because developers always want to put in extra work in time for something that they have spents years on instead of rushing it out the door like some other mmos have done in the past (ala vanguard).
so calm down people seriously.
Well you doesnt seem like a potential client to be honest.
And as there have been several answers for you to read. Obviously you aim to call it a lie until you here them saying what you want to hear, even if that would mean they have to tell a lie for you to believe them.
I'm so broke. I can't even pay attention.
"You have the right not to be killed"
Why call them liers? The game isn't out yet. All you know, at this point in time, is what they will let you know. When everything is fully disclosed, then you can make a judgement call. Until the time of full disclosure, your opinion is unfounded.
You stated that when they decided to delay launch, they were trying to distribute by themselves. Later, they had signed a contract with SOE to publish. You state that this is because SOE helped them out financially. A company that has had previous successful games is not likely to be in a bad financial position. This is not their first videogame venture, it is their first MMORPG venture. They do know a bit about the gaming industry. I am sure that the success of World of Warcraft has quite a bit to do with their choice of signing SOE to be their publisher. SOE is a large company with a history. It is not a perfect history, but they do have name recognition. This is a good thing. Blizzard had name recognition. They had a huge established audience. FLS doesn't have the name recognition to hit a huge audience. They haven't previously distributed their games independantly. They lack the expertise that other companies have. Just because SOE has aquired other companies in the past, you assume that they are in the process of aquiring FLS. This is not a logical progression. It is a possibility, but at this point in time, it has only been denied. Companies often times delay games and don't get flagged. FLS is only being flagged becasue of their relationship with SOE. They have a constant answer to anything regarding SOE. They are only taking care of billing/distribution. Coming from a company, FLS, that has been so open and truthful, to the extent that they can be because of keeping their secrets from other developers, should not lead you to believe they are lying.
Economically speaking, what they are doing is very basic. They are using the tried and true method of specialization. FLS specializes in developing games. SOE speciaizes in publishing/marketing/distributing. An agreement to utilize SOE's speciality is very beneficial to FLS. In the long run, they will make a better game because they can focus more on the game then on the problems that come with publishing/marketing/distributing. They will also be more profitable. These profits can then be reinvested into their company to better themselves. If they were to market/distribute PotBS by themselves, they would have to do several things. First they would have to acquire more tangible assets. A warehouse at the least. Then they would have to hire a trucking company, or create one themselves. They would have to hire someone for their marketing campaign. They would have to come up with a marketing starteg that best utilizes their strengths while avoiding their weaknesses (first MMORPG and name recognition). Next they would have to set up meetings with magazines, websites, radio stations, tv stations, retailers etc. to buy slots for their advertisements. Next they would have go to the retailers to rent shelf space. They would have to convince these companies that their product will sell. These companies will most likely not give FLS the best deal becasue they might be a gamble. That is just the start of the marketing process. The distributing process is another beast in itself. What methods would they use? Would they keep an inventory on hand or would they use a JIT system. When the gas prices go up, how will that effect their profit margins.
If it was your company, would you take the risk of losing market share becasue you're not able to send the game out in the quantities that larger companies are able to? Would you try your hand at every aspect of the implementation of the game? I wouldn't. I would focus on what I do best. In this case, FLS is a compnay that specializes in making games. It would be inefficient for them to implement every aspect of this game. The route they have chose is safer and will give them a larger market share just becasue they will have more copies out than they otherwise would.
P.S. Rick, is FLS looking for an accountant? I'll make your books look nice if you give me a beta key....
There is a nice stickied thread at the top of this forum with many pages of wonderful posts discussing this topic. In it, we've pretty much said everything you want to know. Multiple times. Or you can go to our forums and check out the 100's of *pages* of posts about the topic. But to recap for those late to the party:
Flying Lab is not and has not been in financial trouble.
Sony owns 0% of Flying Lab. Sony did not "bail us out". Nor have they offered to buy us.
Sony offered us a good contract for doing a part of game development that we don't have the expertise to do ourselves (namely marketing, distribution, and billing). We signed with them because their terms were better than anything brought to the table by any other publisher (and we talked to all of them).
They have negotiated in good faith, provided contracts that matched their letters of intent, kept their side of the deal, and been very helpful with localization for Europe and Russia.
We did not lie about ship dates. That implies foreknowledge and malice. We have, however, been mistaken. Things weren't as ready as we thought, and it turns out we've needed the extra time delaying for European Sim-Ship has bought us. For why this happens, I refer you to:
http://www.acmqueue.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=114&page=1
Oh, and what he said too
He snuck in while I was typing this...
Rick Saada - FLS Dev & EPFBM
Howdy!
That post there should clear up any misconceptions aye?
Too bad you have to answer a bunch of posts( well, you dont have to ) like this instead of other posts about gameplay and such of "YOUR" game.
As for me, to hell with all that mumbo jumbo stuff. Let me have the game! I wanna play! LOL
Bob Ross
It really doesnt matter if SOE owns a piece of POTBS or not. As long as SOE profits from it there will be players who wont touch it. As SOE becomes more involved in POTBS, more controversy will ensue. Face it many of us just hate SOE and wont buy anything more from them. I was planning on playing POTBS and so were some of my old guildies from SWG. Now, that wont happen. I would hazard a guess that at a minimum several thousand others feel this way.
Yeah, we understand that. And we're sorry you feel that way. As I've said elsewhere I respect your willingness to stand by your convictions. But I can't make a bad business decision for the company based on that respect. And while signing with SOE may cost us a thousand or so die hard Sony haters, it will put the game in front of tens of thousands of fans who wouldn't have seen it otherwise. Hopefully, if we do *our* job well and produce a solid game, some of you will give it a try in spite of Sony distributing our boxes. After all, if we ship a solid game, and they do their part well, and keep their hands off our stuff, isn't that the change you're trying to get them to make? And if not, well I wish you the pleasure of your steadfastness, because there's not much else I can do.
Rick Saada - FLS Dev & EPFBM
How do you feel about losing your job and having Sony purchase FLS a month after release, Rick? How do you feel about choosing a publisher that you instantly and constantly have to defend and distance yourself from, Rick?
EA=Evil, $OE=Evil.
Thank you, that is all.
Well you doesnt seem like a potential client to be honest.
And as there have been several answers for you to read. Obviously you aim to call it a lie until you here them saying what you want to hear, even if that would mean they have to tell a lie for you to believe them.
Before you became a fanboy, I was in potBS board reading and following every development and improvement they announce since 2004. Before all the high hope of release dates issued and re-issued, I was there like a girl screaming like there's no tomorrow often wetting my skirt of my enjoyment that someday I can play this great game. And still have the proof from their board.Now, why would I waste my time since 2004 and not to play this stinking game? I think you understimated people like me.
__________________
Playing: EVE & Runescape @ work : P
The fact that Sony does not own PoTBS is true.
However,
It doesnt matter because...
Anyone who has followed the progress and developement of this game for a long time........Anyone who knows what the developers said would be KEY elements to this game...and anyone who has actually seen what it currently is...
Anyone who meets these 3 components knows that SONY had a HUGE impact on how this game turned out.
Thanks for your candor. I think you may be a bit optomistic in your views on the negative impact SOE brings to your game. You may be right, there is no sure fire way to tell how many disgruntled SWG Vets there are. Best of luck on your game. You will need it I think.
There's no point in replying to the haters, Rick. It would be like talking science to creationists.
PotBS may be great, it may suck--either way, responsibility for that falls on FLS.
Apply lemon juice and candle flame here to reveal secret message.
OK, I submit that I've followed the game longer than you. And that pretty much every time we've had a major slip we've also been adding a lot of new features (Avatar Combat anyone? Player driven economy? Neither of those we originally in the game). So, what KEY elements did we drop? Admittedly at 43 my memory is getting a little faulty (I blame my kids) but I don't remember any that we've left out. And certainly not in the last 5 months since we announced the Sony deal.
Rick Saada - FLS Dev & EPFBM
Ok...........
Im sure being involved with Sony wont have any effect on your game or company and I hope that SOE and Sigil have a long and prosperous relationship........
Oh sorry I meant Flying Lab.
Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture.
There are numerous ways in which our situation is different than that of Sigil, and they've been covered extensively and repeatedly in other threads. I suggest you use your advertised brilliance to go and read them before pointlessly repeating drivel.
Rick Saada - FLS Dev & EPFBM
I will go ahead and archive this post then so I can later contrast it with whatever reversal is posted when Sony eventually ends up owning this property.
Good luck anyway.
Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture.
And I expect you to return to acknowledge your stupidity when you are wrong?
this topic is offically old. Game good = I pay, Game bad = I dont..nuff said.
When I said i had "time", i meant virtual time, i got no RL "time" for you.
SOE is not developing the game they are publishing it, if they were developing it i wouldnt give it a second look i dont think they know how to make a good game, they know how to publish them though so let them do what they are good at ;p