redspot announces sturmwind limited edition

[Duranik]

I checked again on the RSG shop page.
"NO PAYMENT REQUIRED before released."
We have to talk to Max why some people had to pay already.

[CD AGES]

I can't speak for everyone, but the issue here isn't with Duranik, but RSG themselves. They have a clear job as a publisher to market the game as well as be both supportive and vocal to the small yet passionate community that is out there for Dreamcast. They have not clearly done their part responsibly as the game has gone through it's various delays and with it there isn't any action as simple as additional press release updates or another trailer or even a simple gameplay video showing how much the game has improved as a result of its extended development. To make matters worse they are charging people for a product that has yet to go into mass production! I completely understand that this lack of communication is a fault reserved for RSG, but with that said I would be deeply greatful if Duranik took some initiative and reached out to the community for the sake of their efforts... Please.

[DCUltrapro]

correct they do state that there is no payment required but there is no way of pre-ordering it without going through a paypal checkout phase that I could fine. Duranik have done no wrong, I agree with CD AGES. Redspot need to get their shit together and stop treating us like idiots

[VasiliyRS]

First, hello and welcome to dc-talk Duranik! I am very glad to see you here. We really needed you.

there isn't any action as simple as additional press release updates or another trailer or even a simple gameplay video showing how much the game has improved as a result of its extended development.

Yep another trailer, podcast, promo would be great and attract more and maybe new people who missed first trailer and first wave of mass reposting at many game websites.

Max Schaarl did say that we would be hearing about some stuff that would be free or something to tide us over until the release? Nothing on that yet though I guess?

And an update expected to be posted even last year.
I hope at least Duranik will keep us updated ...

[dark]

Duranik - thanks for reaching out to us. You guys are great. We know you have worked really hard on the game and we all just want to play it

[Neohound]

Nice to hear from you Duranik. Don't worry, nobody is pointing the finger at you !! You've spent years making and refining the game and I really can't wait to see it in action. The problem is all Redspot's. I don't care how small their operation is, they should still be providing good service to both yourselves and the many DC fans out there. If I go to the local village fete and buy a cake from a stall run by a little old woman, I still expect the cake to taste great !! What I'm trying to get at is that you need your publisher to pull it's finger out and start trying to promote and sell your game to the widest possible audience. All this should go hand in hand with good customer relations. That's the very minimum you should be demanding of your publisher !!

Oh, Ultrapro is correct when he says he had to pay up front on the website. I had exactly the same experience. I was going to complain, but at the time I thought I'd give them the benefit of doubt and I let it lie. I expected to hear some sort of apology/excuse/information regarding this debacle by now but, once again, I've been disappointed. Mind you if a company doesn't understand the complexities of viral marketing techniques then it's no wonder the website is a mess.

Btw, I thought I'd put Wikipedia's description of 'Vaporware' out there for everyone to peruse:

Vaporware is a term in the computer industry that describes a product, typically computer hardware or software, that is announced to the general public but is never actually released nor officially canceled. Vaporware is also a term sometimes used to describe events that are announced or predicted, never officially cancelled, but never intended to happen. The term also generally applies to a product that is announced months or years before its release, and for which public development details are lacking.

I'm still hoping Redspot Games keep their promises on this, and are ready to announce the game plus the promised 'extras', by the time March comes around. I and many others will be counting down the days and hoping everything comes to fruition.

[elmagicochrisg]

Ok, I'm fed up now...

HOW MANY LIMITED EDITION COPIES ARE THERE !?

[dark]

What I'm trying to get at is that you need your publisher to pull it's finger out and start trying to promote and sell your game to the widest possible audience.

To be fair on the promotional end of things, during 2011 Redspot did some decent marketing for Sturmwind. It was demonstrated on German TV a few times, playable demos were at some game shows in Europe. Redspot has been hyping it for awhile and I think Redspot's prior reputation for DC releases elevated the game's profile and gave this game good publicity to the target audience.

[BrianC]

I'm with CD AGES on this one. Thank you very much for coming here Duranik, we all really appreciate it. I have absolutely zero faith in RSG at this point and I think that's everyone's major concern but if you check the old posts we certainly have stuck up for you guys and the great work you are doing. My complaint is: if Redspot won't do anything to reach out to people, you guys could through various mediums (which you obviously are now ). I know its not your job to do so but I imagine this lack of press or info from RSG has to be frustrating for you as well. Joining this forum and reaching out to us is going above and beyond what we asked for so a lot of the complaints are now null and void . Thanks again for stopping by, you might want to check out shmupsystem 11's forums since they have seemed quite concerned as well and I would also recommend possibly updating your website in some form since myself and others check it regularly hoping to hear something. Can't wait to play and once again, thank you.

Another strange thing is, if you look at their website, they haven't updated the news in over two months. Between July and August it was updated 8 times and since then the number has slowly dwindled. Between this and the virus it really looks like things are going poorly for RSG and I'm just wondering if this could affect the distribution of Sturmwind? I'm not too fluent in the art of publishing so I'm not sure how it works exacly but it is a concern of mine and would love to hear what you guys think, thanks again!

[Neohound]

Well said BrianC. Really, noone is suggesting any of this is Duranik's fault and, like you said, it's great to finally see them here.

Dark, you misunderstood me. I saw their early attempts at advertising but I meant the marketing they've done since December, the time everything started going pear-shaped. For instance there would be people wavering over whether to buy or not but, having read recent posts here and elsewhere, have decided against it. Redspot could easily have put out a press release apologising for the delays and calming people's fears - that would have meant a lot to those who have already paid plus encouraged waverers to buy.

Regarding the German TV ads.........I and many others don't live there !! There's plenty of ways they could have marketed the game worldwide and there are plenty of ways they could have kept people informed over the last few months. I don't think I'm out of order over this and I'm not going to make excuses for them whilst they continue leaving us in the dark.

If I didn't think the game was worth the hassle I wouldn't be bothering to post about it. I'm still optimistic and just want to see the game finally get released.