What Next For TT

[Jay]

Maybe I'm talking a load of nonsense, but now that IA no longer exists and the rights to this game is up the air I can't see a problem with us just taking control and mass advertising our free, heavily modified, one-click downloadable online game.

The problem is we just need to have a bit of cohesion in a few areas.

Instead of this site just being a forum we need to make this the main site for downloading the game for free! If I've read correctly we have a Mac and PC version with all the modifications already implemented, lets stick them clearly on the front page!

We need to sort out the menu screen, spruce up the graphics and add a button linking to this site. Should be fairly simple to do if memory serves.

Now I know nothing of how the menu is structured and it'll take a bit of work but this game needs an in game lobby more than anything. How many of us just go on TT, look at the servers and leave? If we had an in game lobby, we could socialise there and then decide which server to go to when people turn up. Of course, I have no idea if this is even possible, just throwing it out there.

I hate cold advertising, but if we set up a competition on downloading and/or playing there might be more interest. For instance once we've packaged our game correctly we could start advertising such tag lines as "Win $50 everyday playing a FREE game!".

How would this work? Well everyday for a week or so we could choose a random time, a random server (Only those officially involved in the promotion which would be clearly marked), and then a random player. Of course we'd have some T&C's such as the player would have to have been active within 10mins or so (i.e scoring a goal/killing someone), but if no one is in the server at that time then the money doesn't roll over, but a new $50 will be available on the next day.

That's just an example and I'm sure people will come up with better ideas, but we can't just go around the 'net and start hounding people to play this 8 year old game without giving them an incentive, or without a solid marketing plan.

[00E]

I like Jay's ideas and he is right about marketing the game. What would jump out at you about an 8 year old game and the fact that you are roaming a little world with tanks and brains.

I also think that we need to get our website more public. I am typing this and currently Google [Bot] (Doesn't even count :P) and I are the only ones online. I remember just a year ago we had atleast 10 people online at all times of the day which was great. I understand with all the legal rights and the stoppage of selling the game the community has diminished but if we get word out about the game maybe we can bounce back.

I remember also a year ago there was talk of TT2 although that now may not be needed because of all of this stuff thats going on over with our friends at IA. Hah. So I hope this plan is carried out and I will be willing to take part in any task that is needed.

[Mighty Mouse]

As a future lawyer, there are many things wrong with Jay's proposal.

1. Someone owns the intellectual property to the game, even if IA is defunct. Without their express approval, you are talking piracy or at the least contributing to piracy.

2. Read up on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

3. Even if it is free, the owner can argue for damages to their eventual marketing/distribution plans of their copyrighted work. The penalties can be significant.

4. Even if we argue that it is heavily modified, the underlying gameplay is still based on the company's work. Most of the gameplay can be argued to be superficial at best.

[Jay]

I completely understand the legal ramifications, however from a logical stand the probability of anyone trying to sue us is extremely low.

It is very easy to prove that this game as it is, isn't worth a lot. The 8 year old version of this game can't compete in todays world, especially now there's no option to play online except through our master server. It's very clear that they've abandoned the game, and any future plans would only involve the name and possible imagery. We're not selling the game, just offering a highly improved version for free.

I'll bet that the sales from last year was well under $200 and for the next year (If shockwave decide to leave it up) would be under $100. The only reason people still play is due to our contribution, and now the only way to play online is through us.

Don't forget we've already breached their intellectual property rights when we stole the IA graphics and used them for our own usage. I bet the majority of people here downloaded and installed them knowing they were ripped from IA.

The fact is this game and community will die soon without our intervention, and if we are too afraid to save it due to minuscule legal rights then start waving goodbye.

I'm happy to be held responsible. Use my activation code, agree that this is all my idea, I think this game is worth the risk. The question is, does anyone else?

[Banshee]

Reading through this thread brings back the memories of originally downloading and playing this game. I feel compelled to post.

The absolute reality of this is that there are literally 9 people that still play this game on a regular basis. That's not going to inspire GG to do anything with this game. The master server didn't go down by accident. To further discuss it is a waste of time.

This was said earlier, and is the most realistic statement. I found this game originally through some game site and for a short time it was being promoted through Apple. It was a playable game on the old iBooks and was relatively cheap. I purchased it "for my kid", who played it for a few months at most, but it was an excuse for me to have it without admitting I actually liked the game. It took me a bit off guard to discover that most of the other people playing, like myself, weren't kids at all, but about my age. 30 somethings at the time.
I can conclude then, that this game came out at a time when the people my age, for the most part, were looking for the nostalgic arcade type game that we were playing. We were lucky to find it. Graphically, it was outdated at launch. There were games like Halo, Jedi Academy, WoW, etc. back in '01. To state it is not being played because it is outdated is not true. It always kind of was.
I really don't think any type of conventional promoting will bring many new people. Most of "us", who would appreciate the simplistic play and fun that this awesome little game provides, just aren't in the market anymore. The younger groups are just not into this compared to the barrage of available games and platforms that are available.
The target market for this type of game is now using the mobil platform. The types of games that can be played without a huge RPG continuation, a bazillion ads or a controller with 15 buttons aren't being looked for online anymore. You could e-mail this games installer to everyone and there wouldn't be a person that would show. Games like this are now sought through iTunes or the Droid markets. Promotion for a game like this would require some sort of mobil app and related goodies to bring the Atari like nostalgia to the masses, like so many games that have people flocking to the flea markets now to look for an old Intellivision Console. Hopefully someone, somewhere realizes the true potential a game like this has and does something soon.

[Jay]

No one has said this game isn't being played because it's graphics are outdated, I certainly didn't as I never even gave a reason why people aren't playing. It's interesting how you compare it to the old arcade style, I've never looked at it that way, but I don't think it's as "Atari Like" as you say. Most people played this game for the online features and not the solo mode. It was the people involved in the game, the leagues, the army's and wacko characters such as Dominator AA that kept people playing. Maybe for you the nostalgia elements floated your boat, but It wasn't the main draw for everyone. I completely agree that these types are game are all mobile based nowadays, but porting TT to those devices doesn't save TT, it just creates another spin off like IA.

There's a reason people have played this game for 8 years, and a reason why people don't want it to die. If we can bring out those reasons to more people, and play on certain marketing strategies then absolutely can we get more players. You could be completely right, perhaps no one would join or play, but that's not a reason to give up and not even bother. It's an extremely lazy suggestion to say we just have to sit back hope someone picks it up one day and transforms it for the masses. If you don't want to contribute then that's fine, but bringing a defeatist attitude when we haven't even started is nonsensical.

[TrouserChili]

Well, if someone's willing to take the risk entirely upon himself....
I still think a better idea is to obtain the Intellectual Property rights. Either way the game can probably be saved. For about the fifth time, I'll be glad to help if any of you old timers know who to contact to get those IP rights.

There is a market for these simple graphics games. Most of you probably don't know what Galcon is, but it is another game that was on IA (much older than TT). It's just a little realtime strategy game where you send triangles (ships) from your planet to try to conquer other players' planets. It's been marketed well and has a large European and American following.

The first link shows a history of Galcon, the second shows some recent marketing success and the third shows how they are cooperating with another former IA game, Legions, to promote it.

http://www.galcon.com/classic/history.html

http://www.galcon.com/forums/33/39/4380/?cur=0

http://forums.legionsoverdrive.com/thre ... post-28362

[supratank]

question - who now owns the intellectual rights to the game?

who do we need to contact? I believe this is the first issue that should be addressed as no one has approached the IP since the collapse of IA.

Since that is not Garage Games anymore - who?

[get some]

i would strongly urge against a marketing campaign where we are offering the game for "free".

MM is spot on with the intellectual property issue and don't assume that the likelihood of getting caught is small. i see it as being very likely that it would be noticed. people who hold intellectual property rights take it very seriously and will move swiftly and decisively to put an end to violations of those rights. we are certainly a known entity to those in charge (or at least formally in charge) and though its rarely seemed like we are noticed it doesn't mean they are unaware.

first at risk would be Dr Sawbones with this site being shut down with possibly financial penalties levied against her. if i were her i wouldn't take any part in promoting the distribution of free copies of this game on this site.

i know we are in a precarious state but that doesn't mean we shouldn't go through the proper channels and have patience. to some extent the future of this game's growth just isn't in our hands.

Rx and others seem to have a good rapport with those most directly in touch with the control of this game. i think its best to have patience and allow them to continue to request support. being impatient and forcing their hand would likely result in an undesirable outcome for us all.

[supratank]

I believe CB has a good contact now at Garage Games.