ORIGINAL: Alfred
1. There is a small group of regulars who dominate the postings in the General Discussion forum.
2. That small group is smaller than the regulars who post on the AE forum and more often than not their posts are content free zones. There is very little cross forum postings.
3. AE regulars clearly spend time playing AE. For many of the General Discussion regulars, despite their often boisterous claims, it is not obvious that they actually spend much time playing games. Very few seem to be interested in the more complex Matrix games, nor do they seem to apply themselves to coping with complexity.
4. Far too many over there just like to bump up their post numbers. Consequently they love to repeat ad infinitum sterile positions, tilting at windmills (as if the current Slitherine management is going to change any of the practices which they have run for the last decade), and availing themselves of being unnecessarily abusive to each other which they may think is humorous but in fact is not at all.
5. People come to the AE forum for assistance in how to play the game. Newbies generally receive prompt and polite attention. Most threads here are content full. This all sets a certain unspoken standard which is generally adhered to whereas there is no focus on the General Discussion forum.
6. I'm certain most of the AE regulars have a view on Sitherine's pricing policy. But it is a pointless subject to discuss. AE regulars don't regularly splurge out on buying too many other Matrix products per annum. The unit cost is high but the cost per gaming hour is incredibly low so what is the point of complaining. The amortisation cost of AE is incredible low; those on the General Discussion forum who complain have much higher amortisation costs because of the nature of the games they purchase and their too easy cast off approach.
7. I've tried to follow Slitherine's pricing arguments and they are just plain wrong but their error will not be obvious to them for several years. They conflate initial stock pricing with back catalogue pricing. They fail to directly address links to other game developers/publishers who demonstrate their product life cycle revenues which contradict Slitherine's position. Those are links to other so called "niche" markets/products too. No other industry operates how Slitherine claims market demand and supply operates. No marketing class supports Slitherine's assertions. But ultimately it is all irrelevant. If I want a game of the standard of AE I have no option but to come here (hint hint Symon there would be a true niche market for a commercial version of DaBabes) and because of the factors mentioned in point 6, the cost is acceptable.
8. And no, I'm not really interested in going over the same sterile arguments re pricing here.
Alfred
Indeed. I don't have any idea what the argument is on the general boards, but I also don't care because the AE section is all that matters... Until I clicked over to the main site just now, I thought "Slitherine" was actually a nickname meant to disparage the Powers That Be.
My perception of Matrix is that they are to computer strategy/warfare what Fantasy Flight Games is to board games - expensive, but you get what you pay for (in these cases at least). I may pay $95 for AE or $80 for FFG's Descent, but I'm going to get far more enjoyment out of them than the equivalent spent on: 6.33 months of an MMO, one year subscription to XBox Live, or even 1.5 purchases of most stand-alone PC titles (at $60 each).
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Okay, I admit it. I use you guys. Shamelessly. But affectionately.
Isn't that what forums are for? [;)]
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Oh, yeah! The South Carolina governor who told his staff and family he was out hiking the Appalachian Trail when he was actually flying to Argentina on state funds to meet his "soul mate." Well, he's married now to his soul mate and I think he's running for Congress.
And his wife is doing an excellent job of sabotaging it. I'm loving it!