Re: No CD of Asimov

["Kevin" <kkralian@aros.net>]

> K> I make games for a living too, and I can tell you that games written
> K> 10 years ago, for computers that aren't made anymore, published by
> K> companies that don't exist anymore, does not hurt anybody by being
> K> copied and enjoyed by people today.
> 
> And what about the companies which both exist and publish today, like
> Origin and Sierra?

What about them? As I said before, they probably really don't care. As a
game author, I can tell you when I (or the other 100 programmers I work
with) write a game, we are not writing it for the sole purpose of making
money. After it's been out there a few years (especially with the
consoles), the games lifetimes are over. (followed up by
replacements/sequels, etc). We've made our money off of the titles. Beyond
that- I would be tickled if the public keeps the game floating around (via
emulators, copies, etc) for eternity. Most programmers aren't so selfish as
to say "I've made my $100,000 off that game 4 years ago. It's not for sale
anymore. But Damn anybody who makes a copy and plays it now!". Quite the
contrary- I've made my money off the game, its not for sale anymore, so why
not let the rest of the public enjoy it now? Hey- it might even serve as
free advertising for the sequel, which is for sale now... We express
ourselves through our programming, and for that to be meaningful people
have to see/play our work. This is the mentality of most software authors.

Why doesn't somebody go out there and "tell on asimov" to all the apple
software authors / companies? I'm sure Nathan already has. And most
authors/companies have probably responded- "oh, neat. I can't believe that
game is still floating around!", and that's it.

> K> Do you mean to tell me that you think that by me having a copy of
> K> Wizardry in all its original glory (that is, mostly text, no
> K> animation, 6 color graphics, no sound, etc) is going to PREVENT me
> K> from buying a version written 10 years later for my PC?  Do you
> K> honestly believe that?
> 
> So, tell me, have you *purchased* a copy of "Wizardry Gold" yet?

No. I don't like Wizardry. I was just responding to an earlier arguement.

However, I have copies of all the Ultimas for the Apple emulator. And I've
bought every ultima that exists (and that will exist) for the PC. I have
Robotron for the Apple. And I bought the Williams Arcade pack for their
version Robotron, etc...

These old games are in no competition with todays games. (with a few
exceptions of crappy software companies or the few companies re-releasing
old games with emulators). I think most people collecting them (including
myself), do so out of nastalgia- to bring back memories of what they grew
up with 10 years ago. To show people how these games were. I doubt most
people get these to really "play" regularly, for all these games have been
redone better and faster 100 times over.

-Kevin