Non-Graphical SSDs?

[Clint]

This idea really bothers me. I want my game of SFBOL to look like SFB. I don't want it to look like something else.

Do the powers that be at ADB not realize how important SFBOL is to future of the game? It's like SFBOL takes lower priority than print items. Print is King, and SFBOL gets the leftovers. That kind of business thinking is okay for the 90's, but for the 21st century, that ain't gonna cut it.

ADB should make the move to an electronic/online business model, and greatly reduce or get out of the printing business altogether. SFBOL should take #1 PRIORITY in all game development and release. Much as I like the face to face thing, realistically wargaming isn't as big as it used to be, and hasn't been for years. SFBOL has to be given more consideration if the game is to survive. (And you can start by listening to the PLAYERS and giving them what they want as customers - not by giving them the short end of the stick when it comes to SFBOL in the name of protecting ever-diminishing print sales.)

And as far as new products go, why not make SFBOL the same as other online game companies and implement DLC to cover the costs? That way, those who don't want the new ships from the new releases don't have to buy them. And those who do can. That or raise the price across the board. But keeping the price the same AND cutting features - not cool.

[Paul Franz]

I don't think ADB wants to kill graphical SSDs or SFB Online. I think ADB is concerned about what he is seeing that people are stop buying Module R products and other products because they people are starting to use SFB Online as their only source. Now to make it feasible for ADB to do this. I would probably have to double/triple the cost of SFB Online giving all of that money directly to ADB.

The reason ADB is not going to kill graphical SSDs for SFB Online is that it will kill SFB Online and one of the biggest marketing tool that ADB has.

But ADB can not allow any more products available that can be stolen right from SFB Online. So all future ship definitions in SFB Online need to be unusable offline.

[Clint]

Thank you Paul. After my knee-jerk reaction response (which was a bit rude), I formulated a response to Steve Cole that was better. I posted to the BBS the following message. We will see what happens. -Clint   --------------   Dear Mr. Cole,   I am reading through this and trying to understand. Your main concerns - as I see them - that are driving the change to non-graphical SSD's are:   #1 - People who pay for SFBOL but don't buy modules because they are already on SFBOL for free.   #2 - People who steal SSD's off of SFBOL for use in face to face games, again without paying.   Regarding #1, one idea would be to use a DLC-based system instead. Where $60/year buys you the "Basic Set" of SSD's. Then if you want Advanced Missions, or various Modules, you just pay extra for their SSD's. Is there any reason why that wouldn't work? I know I certainly wouldn't mind paying for the privilege of the SSD's we use.   Regarding #2, I submit that the new non-graphical SSD's won't solve the problem. People can still download/steal them anyway, and play with them. Yes, they won't be as much fun to play with, but are still totally playable. An alternative solution would be to implement server-based storage of SSD files. Then the SSD's could only be accessed if your registered name has clearance to get them.   Would you reconsider these options? I don't know what the exact plan is with non-graphical SSD's. But I do much prefer the existing SSD's, and I know I speak for many others when I say that.   I also 100% support ADB protecting its copyrights.   Thanks for your consideration.

[Bill]

ok, here's my opinion .. [ so you know who I am .. I've never played, nor even seen SFBOL .. I had been looking for a SFB game .. of any kind for many years, found a small group before my job dissipated .. so got to play (well FC, for 4-6 months or so with a small group in COS) ]

you are loosing players due to lack of visibility and availability.

As it happens, most war gaming is diminishing in favor of on-line play .. and there, more to the mmo's than any turn based system ..

people have come to understand what a computer is and can do, they expect their games to be entertaining .. in our case, perhaps even help a geek/nerd make a connection with others of his kind.

be it known, that pricing of games is going down, not up .. most mmo's are going free to play with more than 50%(arbitrary opinion from DDO and NWN) of the content and 90% of the functionality are available at no additional cost.

there is a new trend in portable devices .. perhaps you make individual apps for each ship type and sell them for $0.25 each .. allow them to be used with a peer network for local play, or your on-line service.

I really do not have answers .. I do like the game .. I prefer an in-person forum to play .. I have not found a second group yet, so will likely drop .. unless something gets fixed soon.

I would be willing to bet that your current base of players have the skills required to produce the code necessary (if allowed to do so ..) to re-write this easily, perhaps you should consider public domain, with donations .. 

[Terry Dailey]

I am still trying to find out how and who to pay so I can start playing online again lol

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[Clint Woodall]

Hmmm? For that I think you just log on at sfbol.com with your call sign and click to renew. If your account has expired, it will default you to a demo account only.

Cheers :)

Clint

[Herb Diehr]

http://www.sfbonline.com/index.jsp

--
"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan, 1985