Life at BFG Post-Release

They said their next focus after the release/distribution (and hopefully a good rest!) would be to get the rest of the Kickstarter rewards manufactured and shipped. That'll probably take a decent chunk of time.

After that I guess it depends how well Tesla Effect performs. Some asked during the livestream on Twitch if they wanted to continue any other series like old Access titles etc. They said they had fun doing the Rita James games for their Big Finish studio so wouldn't mind that but aren't really thinking that far ahead right now.

Chris did say that Tesla Effect covers 2 books of the Tex Murphy trilogy that Aaron created so I'm guessing the ideal would be to make another Tex game covering that 3rd book. Which would be super awesome. They did say though they wouldn't go back to Kickstarter for funding such a thing though, so it rests heavily on how well this game does.

I know that Aaron and Chris admitted they're not great with marketing (not my words, just something they said back during old chats about previous Tex releases etc. ). So I'm hoping the people at ATLUS also are gonna be active in marketing the game after today to make a future for Tex possible!

Post release is going to be bug fixes and just general support for the game, this usually takes place over a 3-6 month period before they scale back and start working on other projects.

Nothing stopping them from releasing another golf game lol it worked for Access back in the day. my hopes are though that this game is very successful and turns in enough profits to keep them going.

I'm not sure if Atlus will be their publisher in the future though, and I'd advise against any kind of acquisition deal... remember what happened last time they got bought. I'd prefer them to stay indie and look towards getting money coming in through working for different clients, not just Atlus.

I wonder how distorted the profit analysis is given that the game was funded by us. Has anyone been involved in something like this before? It seems to me that all non-backer sales are 90-100% profit, since (I assume at least) they didn't put up any BFG money to fund the development. I could, obviously, be wrong about that.

I'd urge them to reconsider the use of Kickstarter for future releases. In the movie business they often fund production through the proceeds from foreign rights sales before the movie's even made. Kickstarter could essentially allow them to fund development from "advanced sales" rather than investment, and be assured a profit-neutral (worst case) scenario.

I think their hesitation to re-use Kickstarter is because a good part of the funding was provided by "The Magnificent Seven". I think to get them on board they convincegame would make worthwhile turnaround. So you can imaging how it would sound in approaching them for a second kickstarter.

Another Kickstarter is impossible because after BFG scammed and betrayed everyone by giving them the game on Steam no one can ever trust them again!

Seriously, though... I hope BFG will not do another Kickstarter just so we never have to hear from certain whiny brat backers ever again. Being around them just sucks all the energy out of my soul. I can't imagine what it's like to actually deal with those pricks.

I want another Kickstarter so we can get another game. I'm not confident that revenue from a $19.95 title will be sufficient to generate subsequent titles to the scope and size we got this time around. Though I find it hard to imagine what the incentives would be next time around given the breadth and variety this time around. Theoretically another Kickstarter drive should be easier because the budget would be smaller since a lot of the set up costs (computer & filming equipment, space, offices, staff etc...) are done. Much like the second season of a television series.

Joel wrote:I think their hesitation to re-use Kickstarter is because a good part of the funding was provided by "The Magnificent Seven".

No, it was mentioned on here (or was it Facebook) that BigFinishGames felt the series should support itself and that if this Tex game isn't able to fund another then it isn't to be. It's their personal decision not to rely on further public funding. If you remember, Chris and Aaron weren't keen on taking donations from us on the forum here before Kickstarter. They're still not keen on having to continue doing so, seems they feel the series should be able to stand on its own two feet.

That's why they were adamant during the Twitch livestream that they want to break out of the niche circle and reach out to new gamers. I do wonder how they will manage pushing it outside of its niche though, as from their own admittance they don't have a lot of marketing experience. Thats where a publisher or some other agent with clout and bigger contacts in the gaming industry might be able to help.

Aaron has his position at EA but I doubt he can use them to push a game he was technically not allowed to make under employment contract (EA allowed him to work on the Kickstarter, but he was not involved in production of the actual game, just the writing, he said the release of the game to the public will be his first experience of it).

That all makes sense--they don't want to look like it's a charity series they're running. I get that. I'm just saying: if you can get your customer's money in advance to fund production, rather than having to arrange interim funding (loans, investors, etc...) which would get repaid by the eventual sales anyway, then you should do that and reduce risk. Heck, even if it's just taking advanced orders as a way to defray up front costs, they should do it. I'd kick in $20-50 and wait ~2 years (again).

Here's hoping we see more games of this caliber from them, Tex or something else, or both. Hopefully more live-action cinema games get made thanks to this.

.

Film-Noir has always been a niche cult. PI stories are also a niche genera. Expecting 'Tex Murphy' to break-out is a pipe-dream. Let us enjoy what we have created, a fun diversion.

Tesla Effect works for us and can be successful for others. But remember, Bogart did not make Chandler. Chandler was (and is) always popular to only a limited audience. So should we expect Tex Murphy to be.

There will always be a niche market for Tex Murphy type computer games. Being king even in a small world is till pretty good.

Ema Nymton
~ @ : o ?
.

I suppose you people haven't heard,

Microsoft have approached Big finish to buy the company, they actually think tesla effect would do well on Xbox...............

Only joking....lol

plumgas wrote: tesla effect would do well on Xbox

Now, that part is true!

remember microsoft stated tex murphy games were the past & didn't fit in with Xbox....lol

There's lots of indie options now to getting on consoles like XBOX Arcade and Playstation Network etc. So it's not outside the realms of possibility.