906 replies to this topic

[Buck]

Maybe they'll announce a new theme pack...

[mebby]

I haven't seen any inkling that they're rethinking their approach to multiplayer, have you?  They're harder to read now that Anthony Kyne has gone though, so maybe I haven't had enough tea leaves to ponder over this.

No. In fact I think Shaun replied to a post speculating on a multiplayer announcement and sorta kinda implied that the announcement has nothing to do with multiplayer. So they are either holding their cards close to the chest or they are digging in their heels on this topic.

[Buck]

User Seamount4Life really sums up a lot of my feelings about the current state of HB/TGC..

 

I'm fascinated to see if there really is a big announcement or, to this users point, if this is just more of the long term plague over there of dangling a carrot behind a moving car for the dogs to chase endlessly..

 

btw:  I'm making this observation solely with regard to the TGC situation - I'm fully aware we've had a similar issue here, albeit for different reasons

 

[MERACE]

...any announcement from HBS about the future of TGC will be a “big announcement” compared to what we’ve gotten so far here about the future of PG.


-MERACE

[Buck]

...any announcement from HBS about the future of TGC will be a “big announcement” compared to what we’ve gotten so far here about the future of PG.


-MERACE

 

 

Maybe..

That's sort of my point (and of others in that HB thread)

 

What if the announcement is "some updates" but addresses none of the huge issues and nothing about a TGC3?

That's not "big".  Resuming updates should be table stakes and the bare minimum at this point.

 

In any case, if I'd been HB Shaun, I would have kept my mouth shut.

Stoking the fire like he's done has very little upside if there isn't a mega announcement coming..

 

 

 

Let's try to just evaluate TGC situation on its own merits and not compare to PG.  

PG is in whole new world of unknown now with the ownership change and the potential implications of that.

[mebby]

Maybe..

That's sort of my point (and of others in that HB thread)

 

What if the announcement is "some updates" but addresses none of the huge issues and nothing about a TGC3?

That's not "big".  Resuming updates should be table stakes and the bare minimum at this point.

 

In any case, if I'd been HB Shaun, I would have kept my mouth shut.

Stoking the fire like he's done has very little upside if there isn't a mega announcement coming..

 

 

 

Let's try to just evaluate TGC situation on its own merits and not compare to PG.  

PG is in whole new world of unknown now with the ownership change and the potential implications of that.

I agree.  But I guess we'll just have to wait to see what they announce.  I'm fairly pessimistic in my expectations at this point.

[Buck]

I agree.  But I guess we'll just have to wait to see what they announce.  I'm fairly pessimistic in my expectations at this point.

Me too.
So we're sort of expecting the last day the month at this point?

[mebby]

Me too.
So we're sort of expecting the last day the month at this point?

Alan (I think... might've been Shaun) DID post saying that they'd hoped to make their announcement sooner.  He said they've already pushed it back twice but he was going to keep to his word and at least make sure it happens during the month of February.  So I'm guessing it will be early next week - most likely Tuesday.

[Buck]

Alan (I think... might've been Shaun) DID post saying that they'd hoped to make their announcement sooner.  He said they've already pushed it back twice but he was going to keep to his word and at least make sure it happens during the month of February.  So I'm guessing it will be early next week - most likely Tuesday.

 

Hmm.

Busy photoshopping some screens of "TGC 3 in progress work"?

 

 

If they really want to give "the base" a big boner, they'll announce pre-orders starting in April for a Holiday/early 2019 release..

That would pump in at least 90 more forum pages of off the rails speculation and HB praise..

[Buck]

Perhaps a limited edition "Tony the Tiger Kyne" sticker & tattoo pack for JohnEric?

[Buck]

No offense to any TGC fans by the way..

All in good fun and just passing some time on the otherwise mostly quiet forum

[Ted_Ball]

Well I didn't expect much from TGC2 and unfortunately my expectations were correct. 

 

I've tried to like it. There isn't much point in giving details of why I don't. Everyone is aware of the problems. But my main criterion is whether I play the game. At this point I have no desire to play TGC2.

 

I know I shouldn't be discussing PG1 here but let me say that between the two games and after years of development of both it is gobsmacking that the standards of two games being sold in 2018 are so poor in my opinion. Good luck to the guys who can get something out of either. Well done. I admire you. I'm being sincere.

[mebby]

Hmm.

Busy photoshopping some screens of "TGC 3 in progress work"?

 

 

If they really want to give "the base" a big boner, they'll announce pre-orders starting in April for a Holiday/early 2019 release..

That would pump in at least 90 more forum pages of off the rails speculation and HB praise..

Someone mentioned that the delay could be due to something along those lines.  Pretty much every possible scenario has been speculated by this point.  The only thing that is clear is that HBS seems to be priming the pump a little by continuing to comment in the thread.  So they either have a truly interesting announcement to make or they are making a huge PR mistake.  I don't know which it is but I'm leaning towards the latter simply because it's impossible to please everyone - especially given the current state of TGC2.  You can make these sorts of mistakes once or twice but beyond that your fan base will leave you in a blink of an eye.

[Buck]

I know I shouldn't be discussing PG1 here but let me say that between the two games and after years of development of both it is gobsmacking that the standards of two games being sold in 2018 are so poor in my opinion. Good luck to the guys who can get something out of either. Well done. I admire you. I'm being sincere.

 

I echo your frustration...

Remember back when TGC & PG were just getting going and Rory had either just come out or was about to, etc?

 

It felt like virtual golf was heading back into a real heyday...

And then before you know it, PG stagnates, TGC2/MG fiasco takes them off the tracks and EA flat out quits..

 

Huge drag and I never would've guessed then that we'd be in this spot 2-3 years later.

[mebby]

Well I didn't expect much from TGC2 and unfortunately my expectations were correct. 

 

I've tried to like it. There isn't much point in giving details of why I don't. Everyone is aware of the problems. But my main criterion is whether I play the game. At this point I have no desire to play TGC2.

 

I know I shouldn't be discussing PG1 here but let me say that between the two games and after years of development of both it is gobsmacking that the standards of two games being sold in 2018 are so poor in my opinion. Good luck to the guys who can get something out of either. Well done. I admire you. I'm being sincere.

Understandable Ted.  TGC and JNPG are two very different games.  Some like both and some can really only have fun with one of them.

 

I seem to be one of the few that can tolerate both but I recognize that they are both wildly different games.  

[GoldenBear]

I agree. This is pure speculation on my part but I really think the reason they aren't giving MP any love is because they'd have to basically start over from scratch. I think the core game is so tightly wound around the ghost ball concept that a rewrite has to happen in order to deliver what the community REALLY wants.

So best we can hope for is a rebuild for TGC3 that incorporates proper MP. And even that seems unlikely to me.

"So best we can hope for is a rebuild for TGC3 that incorporates proper MP. And even that seems unlikely to me."

 

I remember buying TGC when it was in beta.  At the time it was said that the game would be around for many years.  But not only has it already gone to TGC2, now it is going to TGC3?  lol  I made the right decision bailing on the first one when Perfect Slide came out.

 

If people would simply not buy each new version of a game the devs might get it right in the first edition.  I am glad I am not a sucker for a money grab without bang for my buck.

[Buck]

If people would simply not buy each new version of a game the devs might get it right in the first edition.  I am glad I am not a sucker for a money grab without bang for my buck.

 

I definitely agree with you here on this point.

 

The "release a version that we'll update as we go" model simply doesn't work if there isn't a recurring revenue model of some kind.

Given how PG & TGC have gone, I'd absolutely prefer a more fleshed out release for a higher price at one time or a recurring revenue model that's ongoing from the start.

 

The middle ground we have been left in, on both games, really limits the scope of development and slows down any releases that do come since there's no profit incentive beyond always expanding the player base, which is untenable in a niche like golf.

[Ted_Ball]

You raise an interesting subject Buck re a higher price.

 

When people take into consideration how much time they invest in their hobbies or pastimes we could ask ourselves how much we would be prepared to pay for a golf sim and what method we would pay for that interest.

 

The sim guys are paying $250 a year I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) and that's after the initial outlay for equipment (I really don't know the details).

 

Let's ponder this.

 

Assuming a PC golf simulation was fully functioning and up to date with graphics and with organised competition to a high standard (and maybe professional) then how much would you pay for 1. the initial game and 2. yearly (say) upgrades to keep pace with technology?

 

If the developer was truly committed and was open and transparent and the product was as good as it could get (and without pandering to kiddies) then I would be prepared to pay quite a high price for both the initial game and the updates. I have an idea in mind but I won't reveal that unless the naysayers haven't killed my enthusiasm. (It is high!!)

 

But, boy, would it have to be a great game.

[Buck]

Interesting thought Ted..

I'd probably have to see the offering in mind before really knowing if it'd be a yes or no..

 

I suppose just ball parking it, I could envision $250 upfront and $100-$150/year...or maybe nothing up front and just $15-20/mo with a 1 month free demo.

I would imagine it should be paid in 6 or 12 month increments so the developer has somewhat predictable revenue to work with also.

 

I'd even like to have special programs/plans for active course developers to be involved for less to keep that side of things rolling too.

 

I could see even higher monthly prices depending upon the offering too..

This is a super niche, as we know, so I don't expect it to be cheap -- and don't really want it to be as we've seen what that has gotten us so far.

 

Hell - Support it really well, and tie us in at the Sim level pricing?

That would mean really supporting the offered swing methods though..

[Ted_Ball]

I suppose just ball parking it, I could envision $250 upfront and $100-$150/year...

 

That's the exact amount I was thinking of.