New Java Strategy Game

General Discussions
#1

Hi, I’m not sure if this is appropriate or not, so if not please ignore, but we have recently released our first Java game. We’re new to the Java community and wanted to spread the word. It’s a turn based strategy game, so not to everyones tastes, but it has been getting reviews percentages in the 80s & 90s and has been compared to the clasic game Panzer General.

If you’d like to check it out go to www.slitherine.com/games/ceaw/

I hope this is not considered spam.

Regards

Iain McNeil
Co-Designer

#2

looks cool, any info on what sort of java tech you are using, whether its using java2d, some sort of opengl binding or some java game engine/framework?

#3

I’m not sure to be honest! I did the design work but was not involved with the coding. As its turn based 2D strategy game it does not really require much in the way of technology, it’s all about good gameplay.

#4

Congratulations on the great reviews!
It looks quite polished and slick, great work!.

Maybe if it’s also a commercial success, it might be a good opportunity to finally get a JRE to consoles and have a commercial java game there :slight_smile:

#5

In that case it’s ironic that you only have screenshots on your website and not a trial version :wink:

#6

From bitter experience turn based strategy games do not trial well. As they take longer to get in to people need to have some money invested in them to be prepared to invest the time to get the rewards. Free demos work for flashy games that catch your eye in 5 mins, but not ones that have depth that only comes through after a few hours. You’ll just have to trust the reviewers :slight_smile:

#7

Football manager has a 6 month demo with full features, the only thing it misses is the traditional start game and only allows you to do a quick start. But it’s fully functional and you don’t miss out on anything other than a more detailed season start mode. You have full save capabilities and everything.

Many strategy games could do themselves favours by allowing demo’s, especially if it’s one where you more likely to buy it if you’ve played it.

#8

2nd’ed, I might even buy a copy myself if I had an opportunity to try it out.

#9

I agree that a demo is necessary. I disagree that you cannot demo a strategy game. I have played many demos of strategy games. You just limit the number of scenarios, or limit technology levels, or unit availability, etc…

I won’t buy any game over $15-$20 if I can’t play the demo first.

#10

While I agree, I like a demo version, looking at their back catalogue I’ll happily bow to experience.

Kev

#11

I’d suggest making the game unlimited except only give the player 1 scenario to play through thoroughly. Without a demo I wouldn’t even look further than a screenie.

Cas :slight_smile:

#12

No question they have experience. I was impressed by the number of games they have. However, you will attract more customers with a demo than without.

#13

But that’s exactly what the “experienced” publisher of strategy games is telling you isn’t so. He’s saying that if a demo/trial is available of a strategy game of this depth then customers play it and get turned off because they don’t “get into” the game in the small amount of time their willing to spend playing a demo (or anything else they didn’t pay for). If you wait for people to pay for the game, they’re more likely to spend the time trying to get into it - since they have now paid for it - and hence start enjoying it and hopefully tell their friends.

Again, I’m not sure I agree, maybe it’s different for games like this that arn’t online buy online - retail too. I haven’t published 10 seemingly successful strategy games either - so I’d wouldn’t dismiss it that quickly.

Kev