Author Topic: Journal Special (Read 18497 times)

Yonkey · « **Reply #300 on:** December 27, 2008, 10:01:54 PM »

Chapters 3-9 are still owned by Vivendi, because they own Sierra intellectual property and any derivative works. So, no, we wouldn't need to take KQ out of any of the other chapters.

We're not planning on making a KQ10 or any other games based on Sierra IP. TSL is the only Sierra-based product we'll ever make. There are far too many legal hoops to jump through.

To be honest, I don't really know what decision process Vivendi uses when deciding who to contact or not. As for making 2D games, it's not entirely out of the question. I'm not sure if we'd develop them using AGS though. Personally, I'm far more familiar with Adobe Flash, and Torque has a 2D game engine as well. We'd probably use either of those.

RollingStone · « **Reply #301 on:** December 27, 2008, 10:22:38 PM »

You wrote that Parts 2 and 3 will probably never be released "non- commercially." So is it possible that we'll see them if we're willing to pay for them? I'd certainly be willing to pay a reasonable price, and I'm willing to bet that other "fannatics" would too. Hell, I'd even be willing to pay up front if that's what it takes to finish the game!

SurfnSwells80 · « **Reply #302 on:** December 27, 2008, 10:34:40 PM »

If that kind of situation came up, I too would be more than willing to pay up front for them!

Petra Rocks · « **Reply #303 on:** December 28, 2008, 12:45:02 AM »

Afraid that's not likely. It would take a whole new arrangement with VU that is pretty unlikely unless the release of chapters 1 and 2 is quite spectacular indeed.

atec123 · « **Reply #304 on:** December 28, 2008, 06:16:32 AM »

yeah, I was thinking, I f they don't waant you getting this out for free, I don't think they would want it going commercial, but I am not an expert on that.

snabbott · « **Reply #305 on:** December 28, 2008, 08:16:22 AM »

I would LOVE to see TSL completed, even as a 2D game. I know it would still be a lot of work, but it should be a lot less than developing it as a 3D game. As great as the graphics in Ch. 1 & 2 are, I think the story is the most important part. If the rest of the story is anywhere near as good as the first two chapters, it would be tragic for it to never be released!

Yonkey · « **Reply #306 on:** December 28, 2008, 09:49:31 AM »

Quote from: RollingStone on December 27, 2008, 10:22:38 PM

You wrote that Parts 2 and 3 will probably never be released "non- commercially." So is it possible that we'll see them if we're willing to pay for them?

Like I mentioned in the entry, the only legal way for us to release them commercially is with a commercial license from Vivendi. Our current license with them is non-commercial, meaning we're not permitted to sell the games.

Suzie · « **Reply #307 on:** December 28, 2008, 12:11:34 PM »

I'm just thankful if part of the game is released. The team has really worked their behinds off and I think we're all very grateful for your hard work and can't wait to get to play it ourselves, and it seems like what you're releasing will be pretty lenghty so how can we lose

sissa · « **Reply #308 on:** December 28, 2008, 12:42:04 PM »

Quote
I would LOVE to see TSL completed, even as a 2D game. I know it would still be a lot of work, but it should be a lot less than developing it as a 3D game. As great as the graphics in Ch. 1 & 2 are, I think the story is the most important part. If the rest of the story is anywhere near as good as the first two chapters, it would be tragic for it to never be released!

I definitely agree with snabbot on this. As wonderful as the graphics are in Chapters 1 & 2, the most important component making up The Silver Lining is the story. It would be awful if we never able to see what happens in Chapters 3-9.

However, I also know that the TSL team has been working very hard for a very long time on this project, and I'm ecstatic that we'll be able to see Chapters 1 & 2. You guys rock!!!!

snabbott · « **Reply #309 on:** December 28, 2008, 05:52:26 PM »

Just so you don't get the wrong idea, I AM thrilled that Ch. 1 & 2 are nearing release! The fans have been waiting a LONG time for this. (I waited a long time, too - I was just lucky enough to be one of the ones to see it early.

) The team have worked very long and hard for this (and they still have quite a bit to do over the next few months). Nobody can say they haven't done enough for this, and nobody has a right to expect more from them. I do hope the rest of TSL will eventually be released in some form or another, though.

Even if chapters 1 & 2 are all that get released, believe me, you won't be disappointed!

RollingStone · « **Reply #310 on:** December 29, 2008, 09:38:10 AM »

I guess you're right about commercial release; I forgot about the legal problems involved. Don't give up on Viviendi, though. I understand how hard it is to communicate with big faceless corporations, but I've found that if you harass them enough they eventually get to your question.

What if you found a source of funding? I'm sure that the same fans who would pay for the game would gladly contribute if we passed around the collection plate. But I guess that you'd probably need more money than you could realistically raise, although it wouldn't hurt to have a rich supporter who might be reading this...

Maybe these are dumb ideas, but the reason I keep coming up with them is that I don't think you should EVER give up on this game. After all that time and effort and work, it would be a tragedy to leave it unfinished. Personally, I don't care how long it takes. If it takes ten years, I'm willing to wait ten years. Getting something later is infinitely better than never getting it at all.

Yonkey · « **Reply #311 on:** December 29, 2008, 10:48:29 AM »

Unfortunately, donations wouldn't be enough to allow us to develop TSL full-time. However, receiving funding from a more wealthy source isn't entirely out of the question. We've gotten offers in the past, but had to decline them because of the whole legal mess that would ensue.

But keep in mind that our decision today is all based on the present situation. We don't know how things will change once Chapters 1 & 2 are released. Perhaps Vivendi will change their mind, or perhaps someone else will become very interested in purchasing TSL or even Sierra as a whole from them. If something like this were to happen, we might consider completing the other chapters. If we were paid to work on the game full-time, it wouldn't take ten years to develop.

TheReturnofDMD · « **Reply #312 on:** December 29, 2008, 01:53:29 PM »

Quote from: Yonkey on December 29, 2008, 10:48:29 AM

Perhaps Vivendi will change their mind, or perhaps someone else will become very interested in purchasing TSL or even Sierra as a whole from them. If something like this were to happen, we might consider completing the other chapters. If we were paid to work on the game full-time, it wouldn't take ten years to develop.

In that case, can you be absolutely clear with me and tell me whether or not my statement is right:

As it stands now, the other chapters aren't coming out.

Yonkey · « **Reply #313 on:** December 29, 2008, 02:04:01 PM »

If by "now" you mean as it stands today, then you're correct. The only chapters scheduled to be released are 1 and 2.

TheReturnofDMD · « **Reply #314 on:** December 29, 2008, 02:10:20 PM »

Quote from: Yonkey on December 29, 2008, 02:04:01 PM

If by "now" you mean as it stands today, then you're correct. The only chapters scheduled to be released are 1 and 2.

I mean as in if there isn't in the future (both the foreseable and beyond just the foreseeable future) any sort of buyout or alteration in the Vivendi agreement.

Basically what I'm asking is if none of the situations you or Cesar suggested (buyout of Sierra or TSL, 20 million falling from the sky, alteration with the Vivendi deal, etc) occur in the future, will chapters 4-9 not come out?

Yonkey · « **Reply #315 on:** December 29, 2008, 02:19:08 PM »

Quote from: TheReturnofDMD on December 29, 2008, 02:10:20 PM

Basically what I'm asking is if none of the situations you or Cesar suggested (buyout of Sierra or TSL, 20 million falling from the sky, alteration with the Vivendi deal, etc) occur in the future, will chapters 4-9 not come out?

Correct. The team has no intention of developing those chapters non-commercially. Chapter 3 is the only one that may, mainly because it could be developed differently and released in a far more reasonable timeframe.

Boogeyman · « **Reply #316 on:** December 30, 2008, 02:03:25 AM »

I thought the whole thing was supposed to be free.

atec123 · « **Reply #317 on:** December 30, 2008, 08:09:29 AM »

Quote from: Boogeyman on December 30, 2008, 02:03:25 AM

I thought the whole thing was supposed to be free.

I think it was, but, wouldn't you buy it? All I mean is, it's better to have it as a commercial game, then not have it at all.

Erpy · « **Reply #318 on:** December 30, 2008, 08:38:06 AM »

Quote

I thought the whole thing was supposed to be free.

You might want to re-read the journal special to see why "what is supposed to" and "what ends up happening" don't always match.

I gotta say the entry contained some stuff I could closely empathize with. Particularly the digital sugar buzz at the start of the project that is then slowly followed by the more mundane phases. I applaud the decision not to spend the next decade pouring all your free time into one project, though I feel fortunate it wasn't me who had to make that decision. Must have been mighty tough.

I guess the best bet would be to try and give chapter 2 as much "closure" as possible, rather than a "to be continued"-caption at the end. The thing with commercial deals is that even if one gets the go-ahead (which, if the shutdown of the official Sierra forums and the desire to sell the rights is any indication, is very unlikely), financers don't go funding a 4 to 5 year process all at once. (which I would assume it would take a paid team to finish all nine chapters) Or if they do, they cancel the deal the moment they feel like it. That's why quite a few TV-shows got cancelled mid-season.

Yonkey · « **Reply #319 on:** December 30, 2008, 10:08:15 AM »

Quote from: Boogeyman on December 30, 2008, 02:03:25 AM

I thought the whole thing was supposed to be free.

Back when we assumed nine chapters would take a total of three years to make, we thought we could release it all for free. But after realizing that it would take at least a decade more (on top of the seven years already) to make the remaining chapters for free, it's obviously not feasible.

When we came to this realization, it was an extremely difficult decision to make. Like all of you, we always assumed the entire game would eventually get developed, but after seeing where we stand and doing some simple math, we realized it was no longer realistic to think that. Instead, we decided that if Chapter 2 happens to be as far as we go, we'd try our best to make it worth the wait.

Regarding closure, I guess it will depend on how people feel individually after playing it. It definitely wraps up the chapter and the storyline involving the Green Isles. However, even though the game doesn't have any "to be continued" caption, it's still somewhat apparent that there's more to be told.

As far as funding goes, I would assume it would be on a chapter-by-chapter basis. This is mainly due to the fact that apart from Chapter 1, each chapter is large and complex enough to be a standalone game on its own. But then again, saying this with words is one thing, and physically experiencing it is another. The future of TSL is largely dependant on how well-received Chapters 1 & 2 are, both by fans and potential financiers.