*HELP* (serious), positive vibes needed ..

amanset · Post by **amanset** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:59 pm 0

Crikey, I'd never actually noticed that there were no ads. I agree, that really is something that should be sorted out. I'm one of those weird people that has no problem with ads that don't fuck with my browser, I accept that they are a necessary evil to pay for things.

Seriously, YakYak guys, get on it.

adam · Post by **adam** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:06 pm 0

as well as the llamasoft bakery (lots of theraputic bread-kneading involved), i wondered if getting some live lightsynth gigs might be worthwhile for you.... clubnights and raves i'd imagine

i think the easiest way to get that going is to put up a page about it on myspace, i get told off for not having a myspace every now and again... one boyfriend of a woman i know has got gigs all over europe from it (though he's a dj), another vj chap also rates it highly

Zoot · Post by **Zoot** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:15 pm 0

I think that the sales of Frogger are probably for the same reason that it was succesful first time round - colourful, easy to play, a bit of a hook, and simplistic so that is accessible to everyone (who doesn't need to think too hard, that is

). People who played it first time round are now probably buying it for their kids.

Llamasoft stuff is different - it appeals to more hardcore gamers who like to shoot stuff and get great scores. It should appeal to a wider audience, but I guess that it isn't designed to appeal to everyone.

It was always a given that most of us who are long-ime Llamasofty fans would enjoy SG, even though some have openly admitted to not having "got it". What you should take as a huge plus, however, is the large number of people who have not previously had experience of Llamasoft who either hang around on here now, or appear on the leaderboards. Next time there is a Llamasoft game, they will be telling their mates, and the time after, those mates will be telling THEIR mates.

Concentrate on doing what you do best, and try to relax - easier said than done, of course, but things will get better.

Felonious Feline · Post by **Felonious Feline** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:31 pm 0

How about taking this time to finish the history of Llamasoft - and getting a small publisher to print it (was it Merman who did this with C64?)

Unlikely to make much money - although most regulars on here would purchase - but it's a chance to focus all the negative energy into something positive. One of the best things to help anxiety is to keep the brain fully occupied - don't give it chance to idle.

It's also a great trip down memory lane - perfect for remembering why u did it all in the first place - sometimes remembering the good times gives us all the strength to carry on.

It could be combined with the other ideas on here - create a book with a CD accompaniment with all the games?

Just a thought.

Zak.

Mir Nyet · Post by **Mir Nyet** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:35 pm 0

I think what needs to happen, and should really already be in place is that Jeff/Giles(Ivan) need to have a secondary revenue stream that simply provides enough income to take care of the daily bits and pieces that make up life as we know it and allows them to focus on game-dev. The income from said development is then onna-top.

Couple more ideas:

1. At present I noticed that Original LLamasoft box art is being auctioned? Why not produce a limited number set of prints from these before the originals are sold and sell them off via the place that is doing the mugs?

2. Bit of a strange idea this one, but I saw somewhere selling artwork that was basically code dumps of old arcade games (pac-man, etc) - again, get one of the artists on the forum to do something similar with Jeffs old code and bang em for sale.

3. Again a little left field, sell copies of the actual source code for the old 8Bit stuff. Either in digital format, or as listings (signed by the chap himself?) I personally would love to have some of those.

4. A CD of the music from the C64 games?

...

There surely must be ways of creating revenue outside of the mainstream game development that will allow Jeff and Giles to become not so dependant on the actual development income (even if it is short-term) until Jeff and Giles get a handle on XBLA? Or find another publishing outlet that is more in tune with what they do if XBLA is not the right platform?

Mir Nyet · Post by **Mir Nyet** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:37 pm 0

Felonious Feline wrote:How about taking this time to finish the history of Llamasoft - and getting a small publisher to print it (was it Merman who did this with C64?)

Unlikely to make much money - although most regulars on here would purchase - but it's a chance to focus all the negative energy into something positive. One of the best things to help anxiety is to keep the brain fully occupied - don't give it chance to idle.

It's also a great trip down memory lane - perfect for remembering why u did it all in the first place - sometimes remembering the good times gives us all the strength to carry on.

It could be combined with the other ideas on here - create a book with a CD accompaniment with all the games?

Just a thought.

Zak.

Published as an eBook perhaps?

PeeknPoke Lee · Post by **PeeknPoke Lee** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:37 pm 0

YAK AND GILES -

I look up to you guys - I am a fan - Your games are fantastic - Im glad you are both in my world

Cheers guys! and cheer up - We are all here for you

Lee

c64audio · Post by **c64audio** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:41 pm 0

Perhaps the most direct thing is if a group of people got together and sponsored the development on a monthly basis? I could give Â£100 per month. Another three or four people doing that has got to make some kind of a dent.

The problem with selling stuff (books, CDs) is that there's always an up-front investment in stock to make, then you've got the added stress of having to break even on those... and the frustration when the people with the flowery words don't open their wallets...

Chris

AlbertKatraz · Post by **AlbertKatraz** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:11 pm 0

As one of the 267 people on here who have over 1000 posts I consider this place to be a sizeable part of my web-centric lifestyle.

1000 posts isn't huge, particularly over the 5+ years I've been here so I dare say that my post volume/time is eclipsed by a fair number of those with under 1000 posts.

So even if we say that there are 200 people on here who might feel that this place and the guy who it centres around is pretty important to them, then I can't see how those people are going to let it all go to shit without doing what they can to help.

No specifics there but I'm sure we can come up with something useful between us eh?

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:58 pm 0

Positive words, positive words... well to start with a slight negative, I've tried playing SG a lot and sadly I just can't get into it. But that's just me, I'll file it alongside Mama Llama in the tiny box of "not for me". What has this got to do with the current situation?

The simple matter is that like Treasure or Nintendo, a new Llamasoft game is something I look forward to. That doesn't happen with most publishers or developers. There is, by comparison, a large metaphorical box containing lots of Llamasoft games I love. Ancipital is one of the most forefront of these. I know in general that I can expect something addictive, playable and challenging coming from Jeff's fingers, and 95% of the time it's gonna be something I love. That's a pretty good success rate in my book!

So I want Jeff and Giles to continue, to keep on making games and making us people on the other side of the control pad. That is something I hope that can keep on as long as it can keep on...

PVB · Post by **PVB** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:40 pm 0

Mir Nyet wrote: 1. At present I noticed that Original LLamasoft box art is being auctioned? Why not produce a limited number set of prints from these before the originals are sold and sell them off via the place that is doing the mugs?

That idea is also being worked on, once gravy answers my e-mail.

We'll be working out which ones Steinar has the original transparencies for and taking shots of the others, then we can arrange for either the Llamasoft Cafepress site (or one I create) to use those designs, with profits split between Steinar and Jeff, if they both agree.

PVB · Post by **PVB** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:41 pm 0

TwistedScrote wrote: On a serious note, having a friendly chat with your morgage provider NOW rather than later will be very helpful. You may be able to 'take a break' on the morgage or reduce the payments for a few months... most banks and building societies are normally a bit grown up about these things if you contact them early.

Ten years of being a valuable customer counts for a lot, so a 10 minute chat with them monday morning might just take a burden off you and give you some more breathing time.

Whats the worst they can say?

Best idea in this thread so far.

benedictw · Post by **benedictw** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:49 pm 0

Could we not do what the rodent guys do and put some links for purchases \ essential kit etc as a sticky on the frontpage. Then LS could get the 1-2% of the purchase cost back? Granted its not going to be huge, but theres no cost or risk attached.

gravy · Post by **gravy** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:49 pm 0

PVB wrote:
Mir Nyet wrote: 1. At present I noticed that Original LLamasoft box art is being auctioned? Why not produce a limited number set of prints from these before the originals are sold and sell them off via the place that is doing the mugs?
That idea is also being worked on, once gravy answers my e-mail.

We'll be working out which ones Steinar has the original transparencies for and taking shots of the others, then we can arrange for either the Llamasoft Cafepress site (or one I create) to use those designs, with profits split between Steinar and Jeff, if they both agree.

Yep I got your mail yesterday

Basically it all seems fine to me, is there stuff you need me to do?

Surfr · Post by **Surfr** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:18 pm 0

PVB wrote: We'll be working out which ones Steinar has the original transparencies for and taking shots of the others, then we can arrange for either the Llamasoft Cafepress site (or one I create) to use those designs, with profits split between Steinar and Jeff, if they both agree.

Does Llamasoft own the rights to these then?