SOWGB Promotion and Marketing

[Ingles of the 57th]

I have moved this topic away from the original title since it really started from an afterthought in that post.

I'm not sure I would like to see Norb Software Development become a "mega" company with a vast marketing budget. I still rejoice in being able to have from time to time a one-on-one exchange of e-mails with the "big man" himself. I would hate to find him hidden behind a vast array of CEO's and Public Relations Officers, like a latter-day Bill Gates.

OK, so Norb Software Development flies in the face of the great American Gods of Aggressive Marketing and Expansion but personally I rather like it that way. It appears more to me rather like a cosy Gentlemen's Club, which aims to give its discerning members the best possible service at the most reasonable cost, even though it struggles at times to replace the carpets and certainly makes nobody a fortune. I would happily pay a bit more for my games to keep it so.

Marketing a sensitive product like "Gettysburg", i.e. the concept not the game, will always bring conflict. There is a vast body of people who regard the hallowed ground of any battlefield as sacrosanct and see the attempts to "market for profit" a mere computer game in the vicinity as near blasphemy. Remember how we ourselves reacted in the same way on this forum to Supermarkets in the Wilderness ?

It is only to our limited circle that SOW GB is perhaps just not a "mere computer game". I will never get to Shiloh or to Gettysburg...... but I feel that I do as much homage to the memory of those brave men by playing the game thoughtfully several times a week, whereas a large number of those who will attend the anniversary most likely think about Gettysburg once every 150 years.

There will also be those in an election year who will make political capital of the event .... but did Lincoln not do the same all those years ago, moving and enduring though his speech was. The game though remains pure and unsullied as well as technically brilliant.

I came in at the very beginning when TCBR was first released. I picked up the game quite accidently from a demo on a giveaway Computer Magazine Disk, I recognised its strength and was immediately hooked and I have remained so through all the later developments. No marketing is better than a demo disc in your hand. Few can resist playing them and they are not enormously expensive. Beats all the presentations in the world.

Geoff Laver Late of Her Britannic Majesty's 57th Regiment of Foot.

[Casey]

Wow..Sorry, but I totally DISAGREE...Norbsoft produced this amazing game. With an AI alone, that Dev's would absolutely LOVE to get their hands on. Why would HE, OR his whole team, NOT to mention his growing fan base for the game, NOT want to share with the rest of the RTS community. Hiding it, OR, making it feel as if its "exclusive" is exactly why you probably sit every afternoon biting your nails, hoping "someone" will show up for a MP fight. Quality control comes from "Pride in the product"..These guy's not only take pride in it..from what I've observed...they live it. So to suggest Norbsoft's "quality" of service would decline is pure ignorant. As a total new comer to the game. Your point is....OK, I'll say it. Stupid as HELL. I plan to tell everyone I can, that cares to hear about this game, and IF it gets too big for "some to handle...Oh well..like ALL online games...Players come ...and players go. Only the "good" ones stick around. To me, you sound worried some "noob" will come in and BEST ya. Hmmmm. Might be ME? Love the game! THE MORE THE MERRIER!
Casey

[Ingles of the 57th]

Hi Casey,

Oh well, chaqu'un a son gout. If we all thought the same the world would be a boring place.

Actually I,m not into MP at all. Living where I do right in the middle of Africa, my satellite connection is too slow and my electricity supply far too unpredictable ever to be able to participate.

I have been with this game and its predecessor, TCBR for many, many years and I still have a fine set of fingernails. For us the game is not a game, its a happening.

Live long and prosper.

Geoff Laver

[Casey]

Thank you also for your opinion by the way. And I truly do understand and appreciate your point of view. If I offended in any way, my apologies. Spoken word is so much easier to comprehend, than typed word. Thus, why I'm a "semi retired" construction worker, and NOT a writer. I made the mistake of "thinking" (I never do that well) that everyone bought the game, or plays the game for the same exact reason I did. And of course that isn't true. After going back and reading my post to you, it came off as ...Dickish?...and for that I do apologize. However, I still have to disagree with your main premise, that the game should remain a "cosy Gentlemen's club". The AI alone, deserves at least the respect, and admiration of any, and all, who truly love RTS. But, again sir. I do apologize, if my post seemed "dickish". Although I can be a "dick" at times. ie...see post above.

[RDBoles]

Me, I love the Civil War. I love reading about it. I take photo's of the small reinactments out here in the west. I draw pen and ink drawings from my photo's. I pour over the maps in great detail. I have played the old board games and old computer games. This game is the best of the best for what I love. Every time someone has a question in the forum about a scenario or battle or anything to do with the Civil War, I research it on my own and find out what really happened. This game tailors to so many different kinds of people for many different reasons. Some times the guys will reveal a little of themselves in their messages. I can relate to them and find a home of like minded comrades in arms.
Like a seed that is planted,nurchured, watered, it will grow into a mighty plant or tree. This game will grow wether we like it or not. I'm taking solace in the fact I too bought the TCBR game as I was browsing Fry's and saw an add in one of the Civil War Magazines and bought TCBR2. And now SOW. I'm proud to be here in this forum from the very begining. Move forward!

[Ingles of the 57th]

Hi Casey,

Thanks for the post. No offence taken.

My reference to a Gentleman's Club suggested meeting familiar faces on the forum, meaningful informed conversations, immediate help with problems and a general sense of "belonging".

I know this is backed up seamlessly by awesome technology and years' long dedication. We score on all counts.

Geoff Laver

[arda]

I was doing Take Command 2nd Manassas and heard of this