Closing down? I don't believe that!
by Giuseppe De Francesco · 11/12/2010 (11:49 pm) · 34 comments
Well, I’ve been almost silent till now but I feel like it’s time to say something about this entire new situation.
IA made a huge mistake underestimating Torque engines and wagering on Instant Jam. From what I can see from my position the picture I’m getting is typical: young people with some money to spend and an idea they think is the best ever. Like many other game studios they made a classic mistake putting almost all their resources in that project, leaving behind the rest.
Every one could tell them that Instant Jam wasn’t such a great idea for making real money: that kind of project needs way more money to be actually successful and they clearly didn’t have enough lucidity to get that.
TorquePowered team had a good plan for their engines: what they have on their desks for 2011 could have been really successful. From the few info I have they could actually become a serious threat to Unity but… IA didn’t put enough money to fund the project so it has advanced at snail pace. IA showed a complete blindness and a quite poor ability to do business.
That said, I’m confident that there are out there intelligent people able to understand that TorquePowered has all that’s needed to shake Unity's market position, but they need real resources to succeed. TP has a very good team and excellent contractors: giving them more developers will be a win-win situation.
I’m sure that Eric is well able to present their plans and their technology to prospect buyers, so guys don’t let yourself down and have faith ;)
IA made a huge mistake underestimating Torque engines and wagering on Instant Jam. From what I can see from my position the picture I’m getting is typical: young people with some money to spend and an idea they think is the best ever. Like many other game studios they made a classic mistake putting almost all their resources in that project, leaving behind the rest.
Every one could tell them that Instant Jam wasn’t such a great idea for making real money: that kind of project needs way more money to be actually successful and they clearly didn’t have enough lucidity to get that.
TorquePowered team had a good plan for their engines: what they have on their desks for 2011 could have been really successful. From the few info I have they could actually become a serious threat to Unity but… IA didn’t put enough money to fund the project so it has advanced at snail pace. IA showed a complete blindness and a quite poor ability to do business.
That said, I’m confident that there are out there intelligent people able to understand that TorquePowered has all that’s needed to shake Unity's market position, but they need real resources to succeed. TP has a very good team and excellent contractors: giving them more developers will be a win-win situation.
I’m sure that Eric is well able to present their plans and their technology to prospect buyers, so guys don’t let yourself down and have faith ;)
About the author
In the software eng. field since 1981, in charge of R&D during last 10 years. IEEE Senior Member (and volunteer).
#22
It's really hard convince these AAA studios to switch from what they currently have for kit that the engine its built off of, is no longer supported.
This is our big fear.
11/14/2010 (3:27 pm)
Our target for this kit is more geared toward commercial developers. We plan to release a lite version absolutely FREE for indie developers to play with. It's really hard convince these AAA studios to switch from what they currently have for kit that the engine its built off of, is no longer supported.
This is our big fear.
#23
Do you really see Torque 3D 1.0.1 as the finished product,and that Beta 2 and 3 are just polish?
I thought betatesting was going on before the final release and not after...
11/14/2010 (4:19 pm)
Giuseppe, I fully recognize the effort TP coders and doc guys have put into the project (the last 6 months I have followed the progress)Do you really see Torque 3D 1.0.1 as the finished product,and that Beta 2 and 3 are just polish?
I thought betatesting was going on before the final release and not after...
#24
11/14/2010 (4:35 pm)
Peter, it was finished regarding what was sold for. It had bugs (like any sw product... Unity 3.1 has lots of bugs). TP didn't just fix bugs, but added a lot of more features (forest ed. & so on), that's why one can feel that wasn't finished. Beta 2 and 3 are like a different T3D given to 1.0 licensees without any fees. 
#25
I think TP went down 2 years ago,when many former employees left GG and founded several new companies such as Pushbutton Labs ,GameClay, etc..
11/14/2010 (5:14 pm)
I am not really sure about the bad marketing,because the current marketing of Unity consists of former GG employees like Brett Seyler.I think TP went down 2 years ago,when many former employees left GG and founded several new companies such as Pushbutton Labs ,GameClay, etc..
#26
11/14/2010 (5:21 pm)
The future of T3D is unclear.I have asked questions about the technology,none of the emails were working,no answers so far.And this is not good,because many of us have invested a huge amount of time and money,this is just a ridicule with as. At least they could say: "Don't buy T3D,we're closing doors after 6 months". 
#29
With XNA upgrading to 4.0, and TX (running in 3.1) being the only real Xbox indie engine, I'm pretty much screwed in updating my game in about a couple months, right?
11/15/2010 (2:10 pm)
So stupid question, cause I haven't been around lately.With XNA upgrading to 4.0, and TX (running in 3.1) being the only real Xbox indie engine, I'm pretty much screwed in updating my game in about a couple months, right?
#30
Check with Pino and the CEV project. They have been working hard on the port.
11/15/2010 (2:13 pm)
@DavidCheck with Pino and the CEV project. They have been working hard on the port.
#31
you are in the CEV already, so as David pointed out, you know the answer ;)
11/15/2010 (3:31 pm)
Hey Dave, you are in the CEV already, so as David pointed out, you know the answer ;)
#32
The twins have kept me out of the loop :)
11/15/2010 (7:02 pm)
I just wanted to make sure that was still a go.The twins have kept me out of the loop :)
#33
11/15/2010 (8:39 pm)
Post removed by moderator - The effort is appreciated but its too soon for something like this and could impact finding a buyer not to mention sow confusion in the community.
#34
@Vincent: not sure what you are doing with that website... A foundation has to be a legal entity and shall be started by the IP owners or with their written authorization. I understand the spirit and I appreciate it, but you just breached a bunch of EU and US laws and regulations and also used Torque logo without having right to do so :) My suggestion is to take down the logo right away.
11/15/2010 (9:23 pm)
@David: I understand that :) BTW, they are wonderful!@Vincent: not sure what you are doing with that website... A foundation has to be a legal entity and shall be started by the IP owners or with their written authorization. I understand the spirit and I appreciate it, but you just breached a bunch of EU and US laws and regulations and also used Torque logo without having right to do so :) My suggestion is to take down the logo right away.
Associate Giuseppe De Francesco
DFT Games Ltd