On Thu, 17 May 2001 12:05:32 -0400, "ymenard"
>> Ok Ok Ok Guys. It's a nice dream but who would handle the funds
>> of this Fiasco? Who would control the funds coming in & going out?
>> Lastly Andrew is right! Do you honestly think Sierra or Papy would
>> raise an eyebrow at $12,500 or $50k or maybe even a $100k?
>> I highly doubt it. No let me take that back!! No Way! Yes it is sad
>> but it is true!! Sorry Folks.. Thom_j.
>It's just a delusional idea. We should let it rest before it becomes
>embarrassing. Like people who think there's gonna be a GPL2.
Below is a copy of my post from the GPLEA forum. It COULD
happen but not without a lot of work. It really depends on what
we REQUIRE in the PATCH and how easy it is. I worked as a
programmer etc. for over 20 years and I iknow there are
apparent "simple" changes that are virtually impossible or
at least commercially unviable, yet there are what look to
be apparent huge chyanges that can take a few hours or
days to do.
An example might be the 64 tracks limit, this could take an
hour or a few days. Whilst many would obviously not want
to pay for that, it could be a bonus in a general package.
[copy of post]
I've just scanned the game boxes littering my shelves, none of which i
play anymore or indeed played much anyway after June last year when I
got GPL.
Theres about 300 ($450) worth.
GPL has improved beyond all recognition from the original with
fabulous new tracks, texture updates, car updates, add on tools etc.
etc. All provided by individuals who had the passion and dedication to
spend hours and hours providing these for free.
Papyrus is however a business and time spent must be cost-effective.
I'm pretty sure that if we could organise this, get sufficient funds
to finance the project it would be done.
Most GPL fanatics have already spent the best part of $200 with
Papyrus, we bought the various Nascar games to convert the tracks and
we bought N4 out of curiosity to see what they'd made of the GPL
physics engine, but most of us (me inc) will never play this game. It
just sits there waiting for an N4 to GPL converter.
I'm on record for saying that I'd pay highly for a GPL2 and that I
don't think simulations of this calibre whould be lumped in with the
general games market in terms of cost.
By it's very nature, GPL and many flight sims will not be
chart-toppers and indeed would have a very small consumer base. If we
don't fund these properly they will never get made. As WSC is also
being developed for the PS2 etc. and will (I beleieve) have many
"aids" and such to make it more attractive to the none *** sim
fan they will at least have a shot at being commercial succesfull.
In the appplications market, this is already accepted and you pay more
(often significantly more) for a product with a smaller user base than
one with a larger user base.
If we really want anything to happen with GPL in terms of a patch then
we have to be serious. If you wont give $25, sorry, you ain't serious.
Me, I would like a shot, plus I'd make an extra contribution for all
the work that the GPLEA and numerous others have put into GPL so put
me down for $250.
I'm not being flash, I just recognise the worth of this product and
what it's going to take for Papy to consider this.
OK, so how the hell do we go about this, how do we collect all these
contributions etc.
1) We need someone top approach Papy. We know there are a number of
people on the GPL scene who have worked with Papy (Alison Hine & Steve
Smith to name but two). We need to find out if Papy will consider
providing further work to GPL in return for a payment from the GPL
user base.
2) If so, we then produce a list of things we'd like to see addressed
(mentioned in previous posts). We need to rate them as REQUIRED and
WOULD LIKES.
3) We'd also need to have some idea of the level of commitment in the
GPL community and some idea of the minimum funding we could raise.
4) Papy would then have to look at our requests and provide a costing,
we may have to accept the fact that we'd have to provide some funds
for that service alone. It depends on how seriously Papy takes us
whether they would provide the investigative and costing work for
free.
5)I don't think there is any realistic way to actually force people to
pay for the patch, instead we need someone in the GPL community who,
maybe has access to a commercial web site and facilities to provide a
means for "donations" to be collected.
It's clear there are others who would pay more than $25, great, let
them do so. The4y will still get the same partch that the $25 guys
get, and maybe some of the leeches who don't contribute, but what does
that matter, we are each paying what we feel is appropriate for the
patch.
If we need $20,000 and we can all see that donations are only at
$10,000 then we can do more, harrass friends to pay up, give a little
more, sell off our old games on ebay and contribure that.
Could we do that, if you think NO then there is no point in continuing
this thread.
Sorry for the long post and general rant but I thought it better to
spell out the sort of thing that would be required ratherthan just
chip in with a "me too" post.
Maxx
