Sci-fiction franchise idea

from GalCiv2 Forums
This is a simple idea that could generate more money for franchises and developers, but is unlikely to ever take place.

Franchises like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galatica, Star Wars etc could build a central repository of star ships / star bases etc - the models all done to an extremely high (future proof) standard.

Then, when games like Galatic Civilisations 2 is realised - and proves a success - they can authorise the games developers to create an add on pack for their particular franchise (providing the raw models - or the prefered model format if some developer has used it beforehand).

Revenue from the add on sales goes to both the original developer and the brand in question - both of which gets more revenue that they would otherwise have had. Costs can be kept pretty low if people download (rather than buy in the shops) these packs.

Granted the players have to pay a bit more if they want the add on packs - but personally I wouldn't mind paying a bit extra to get to play with Babylon 5 ships and a B5 interface.

Everyone wins.

Companies who have in the past signed exclusive rights would also benefit. Star Trek Bridge Commander is good example. The original game came with 12 ships. By last count their were several thousand ships created by modders - including Star Wars, BSG, B5 etc ships regardless of whether. People have played this game for ages - and have continued developing it so that it bears little resemblance to the original game.

In short the original developer made a bit of money, years ago - and nothing since.

If there was an agreement for companies to offer add on brands then the game developer, brand owner and owners of other brands could get ongoing income from releasing add on packs (turning it into Star Trek Bridge Commander: Star Wars add on etc).

For 3D combat games users could even pay to download invidual ships/models.
10,241 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
My head practically explodes contemplating the amount of legal red tape that would involve and all the logistics.   
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm pretty sure that the big sci-fi brands would rather make a much larger wad of cash every time somebody buys a licence of their franchise for a specific game.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When the cost of dealing with the legals, publishing, and distribution are exceeded by the amount of money that can be made, then the game companies (or the movie companies, same difference) will make payware add-ons. Think of, say, Counter-Strike.

But for the big suits in their Recaro chairs and their gold-plated Jags to follow every little nerdophilic garage-server with a hard drive full of ersatz TIE fighters, Galileo 7's, and whatever they flew in Babylon 5 (I never did like that show at all), well, that would be just too much to ask. It's like saying, "Let's download the entire Internet today, and see what we get." Put simply, the cost isn't exceeded by the benefit.

Never mind, by way of example, that the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises are the properties of two separate studios, which is why the only way you'll get to phaser an Ewok is within a product of your own fevered imagination.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Never mind, by way of example, that the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises are the properties of two separate studios, which is why the only way you'll get to phaser an Ewok is within a product of your own fevered imagination.


Phasering an ewok--now THAT's a fine idea! Might wanna copyright it for future use!
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Pay pay and pay again.

Keep thinking about making player paying more and more and it will cost us soon 100$ by month to play a game.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Are we all in favour of the idea then

I did say that it was "unlikely to ever take place".

Personally I'd love it if offical packs where released for Star Trek (different series), Star Wars, Babylon 5 and Battle Star Gallatica for GalCiv2 and other games.

I'd buy them all and have loads of fun.

So to recap - a company would do/hold the ships/stations/models for the participating brands. Whenever a game was released and proved popular, the company would speak to the game developer and brand owners.

Some brands would agree an add on pack, others may not (it's their choice) or may choose to wait longer. All brands would be told what the others are doing, and scheduled release dates. The company then provides any necessary data to the games developers in a suitable format.

The games developer then creates the add on pack. The inbetween company meets with the brand owners (after doing its own user testing) to demonstrate it - and the pack is released online (both from the developers site, online retailers like amazon - who track purchases made - and optionally on the brands official website). I don't know how worthwhile it would be to put it in retail outlets.

Revenue would be split between the brand owner, the game developer and (unless bought direct) online retailer. The inbetween company would also take a share - which would vary depending on whether it's a normal company or if it was created/owned by the brand owners.

Owners of the game would purchase the add on pack of their favourite brand(s). The value added part for them is playing ships/stations/characters from their favourite tv shows/movies.

We know that a market does exist for this at least to a small degree - just look at the mods for this and other games. Mods however are difficult for the average person to use, usually limited in scope, take ages to make and are not to the same overall quality.

Companies that have paid money to develop branded games for x number of years could also work with it. Star Wars lego isn't likely to be affected by an add on Star Wars pack for Gal Civ 2. But the game developer and/or brand owner could get more revenue for allowing such a pack to go ahead. And if they produce games like Star Trek Bridge Commander - these developers and/or the brand owners could get more money and more sales by allowing other brands to do an add on conversion.

But I fully agree that its never going to happen
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Uuuum... With all that trouble, I would just make my own sci-fi idea and use that instead of buying a license...
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Would be fun though
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Why not just license the engine and develop your own darn game? It works for FPS.