Official replies by GemStone to the purchase deal by Stillfront Group
Posted21 June 2016
Last Updated On20 September 2018
ByNewsby
GemStone Tweets a reply to questions on Tuesday with “full steam ahead”: http://bit.ly/28LxXgl Then later, Simu Myke replies to Pup’s message about the future of the game in light of StillFront news. ;tldr Nothing to fear. See:
So with new overloads is there any worries about the future of GS and DR at this time?
Date: 06/21/2016 02:58 PM CDT
From: DRTRV80
Subj: Re: state of the games
> So with new overloads is there any worries about the future of GS and DR at this time?
+1
Considering the kind of time and $$ investment these games require, some kind of statement after changing ownership on the intent of the new owners would be a good thing.
Date: 06/21/2016 02:59 PM CDT
From: NAELEN
Subj: Re: state of the games
Came to ask the same thing regarding the Stillfront acquisition. Since the majority owner of SIMU is a mobile developer what are the chances they care about keeping a 20+ year old text MUD running?
Date: 06/21/2016 03:10 PM CDT
From: PIO33
Subj: Re: state of the games
This is an important question that needs answering, and it needs to be answered quickly.
The news release avoids the issue rather obviously, so it is not a stretch to imply that the end is near simply based on the lack of straight forward information. I run six accounts, three of them premium. I need to be reassured that it is worthwhile to continue to invest my time and money.
The only information even near this subject is a Twitter post by Gemstone saying, “Nope, fear not. GS/DR are critical parts of business. Full steam ahead.!”
With all due respect, I have no idea how in-the-know a Twitter feed for a single game is. It seems to me that we should hear from Stillfront or David Whatley directly.
This game is not a passing fancy, as you are well aware. Each passing second with a dearth of information means we are forced to reach our own conclusions, and silence can be deafening.
~Lack Marr
Date: 06/21/2016 04:23 PM CDT
From: SIMU-MYKE
Subj: Re: state of the games
I don’t have anything formal, I’m just sitting here eating a cookie and sipping a soda while working on some back end improvements to our GS/DR data backup system. As others have said, nothing to fear. David’s still CEO, everyone’s still here. We’re still Simutronics. GS/DR are still at the core of Simutronics. These games have been running successfully for around 30 years and I wouldn’t be surprised to seem them go another 30.
Myke
Date: 06/21/2016 07:20 PM CDT
From: BRANDTJRT
Subj: Re: state of the games
Given the mobile game focus of those developers, is there going to be any development of an ios/android frontend? With increasing phone size and the number of tablets out there, it seems it could work.
I always try to stay optimistic.
Date: 06/27/2016 12:25 AM CDT
From: LILLEYJ
Subj: Re: state of the games
smartphone frontend would be incredible. currently i can use the web client on my smartphone and it’s sort of passable, but it also has a lot of problems. usually i’d rather just play a different mobile game than deal with those problems.
Date: 06/30/2016 10:01 PM CDT
From: RAISER
Subj: Re: state of the games
>…smartphone frontend would be incredible. currently i can use the web client…
If it helps, you can use TeamViewer to remote connect your phone to your PC and play that way. If you have enough scripts it’s doable, though you won’t be RP’ing much since it’s slow to type quick enough with a few people in the room having a conversation. But what you can do is train some of the boring stupid stuff while remaining attentive. This is why it’s good to have the significant other drive so you can ride shotgun and still get the DR fix in.
Date: 07/14/2016 08:29 AM CDT
From: DRDRDR
Subj: Re: state of the games
Since little has been said about this situation I had to do some digging to find information.
It appears they are cutting back on GMs since the sale. Customer service is basically ZERO, In Game support from GMs has been cut back by 90%, and no new major announcements about game development have taken place.
Stillfront is based in several European countries. It appears that a reorganization is taking place where they will probably close the US based office (American game engineers cost too much).
This sale was based on ‘the fiercely loyal customer base’ and the annual revenue being consistent upon transfer of ownership (2million USD annualy).
Hopefully this post stimulates some healthy dialogue between the company and the paying customer base.
Date: 07/14/2016 10:51 AM CDT
From: SIMU-MYKE
Subj: Re: state of the games
No, we’re not cutting back on GMs, last I heard they were training additional ones.
Also no, we’re not closing our office. It doesn’t take much digging to see Stillfront’s companies run basically independently. They invest in company’s like ours that make games with a ‘fiercely loyal customer base’. They then support those companies in making games such as by raising capital, assist with business deals, etc.
So, basically we just keep doing what we do and they help us out where they can.
Myke
Date: 08/07/2016 11:26 PM CDT
From: GAROFALOA
Subj: Re: state of the games
Myke, i understand what you’re saying. David too. but inwardly, i’m kinda freaked. Because i heard these kinds of promises before. so many times. in gaming, but also in my professional and personal life.
But you have to remember that before i became a dedicated player here, i played a couple of little games called Multiplayer Battletech, and Air Warrior. to be honest, Gemstone III was something i played while Battletch was crashed or full of people when i was back on AOL.
When News Corp. sold Kesmai studios to EA. we were all stoked, We knew the reputation that EA had with kick-ass MMOs. Especially with Ultima Online going in full stream, We figured Battletech 3025 was going to get a great boost.
They told us all the things i’m hearing here now.
Then in 2001, they screwed us.
They shut down Gamestorm. hired a few guys for their assorted dev teams wanted to work on their EA titles, and left us all out in the cold. Told us to go play Ultima Online. Put a bunch of great guys out of work. Including Phil Deluca, a great guy who had his faults as a PM, but he loved the game that Kelton Finn put him in charge of.
The axe fell Not too long after Gencon as i remember it.
Sorry, guys. i’ve learned my lesson. I hope i’m wrong. but i’m going to get as much enjoyment as i can from the simu titles in the meantime. We got some killer storylines going on in GSIV.
Good luck.
Andrew
Player of Hapenlok in GSIV
Date: 08/12/2016 08:33 AM CDT
From: HJELTE
Subj: Re: state of the games
Hey, sorry… I completely missed this thread, as I posted about it on PC, nowhere on the official forums.
As a concerned player, I was sick of the speculation, so I reached out directly to Jorgen, CEO of the Stillfront group with my concerns regarding the handling of existing Simutronics IP, and subtly conveying an interest in employment over in Sweden… I love that country.
He assured me, the intent of the Stillfront acquisition was to expedite development efforts in the mobile market through additional investment. By providing additional investment and realizing the gains on mobile platform revenue streams early, Stillfront Group expects to make a return on investment. Furthermore, Stillfront Group also owns other mobile development shops, so the use and leveraging of Simu’s mobile IP can put them in a better position for their other company’s development effort.
Stillfront group is most interested in the development of their mobile environment. The MUD service offerings of Simutronics have been a great, solid source of income for Simutronics (and now Stillfront Group), to provide them the capital to expand their ventures. Stillfront just wants to expand them a little more, and faster, and help reap the benefits.
There are currently no plans to meddle in the affairs of Simutronics. Stillfront group is an investment firm, allocating their funds towards long term returns on investments and attempting to expedite revenue streams. They are not interested in cutting out management or impeding upon the way in which Simutronics does business. Based on my review of the public documentation of the Stillfront Group, it doesn’t appear they are adequately staffed for oversight responsibilities within the organizations which they hold.
