Universal Combat: AWA sold over 35,000 copies in first 11 days
by David Wyand · in General Discussion · 09/28/2005 (2:47 pm) · 40 replies
Greetings!
Doing my monthly check on the IDGA site, I noticed this featured article on the front page:
Derek Smart's universal appeal in Florida
He's been working on this series for a long time now, and appears to have built a following. What caught my eye was this:
Wow. Do the math on that and it works out to be a tidy sum for an indie developer.
I've personally not followed this series of games beyond a curiosity. So, I thought I'd track down some reviews. The few that I managed to find (the game/expansion just came out after all) were not very encouraging.
Through the rumour mill I understand that Mr. Smart has quite a reputation as someone that doesn't water-down his opinion. And looking through his web site's forum, I'd tend to agree. I guess I'd just say that he and I would disagree on how to approach customer service.
So, coming back to the 35,000 copies in 11 days, that's just amazing.
Comments??
- LightWave Dave
Doing my monthly check on the IDGA site, I noticed this featured article on the front page:
Derek Smart's universal appeal in Florida
He's been working on this series for a long time now, and appears to have built a following. What caught my eye was this:
Quote:Faithful fan following indeed, Universal Combat: A World Apart sold over 35,000 copies in his first 11 days of release.
Wow. Do the math on that and it works out to be a tidy sum for an indie developer.
I've personally not followed this series of games beyond a curiosity. So, I thought I'd track down some reviews. The few that I managed to find (the game/expansion just came out after all) were not very encouraging.
Through the rumour mill I understand that Mr. Smart has quite a reputation as someone that doesn't water-down his opinion. And looking through his web site's forum, I'd tend to agree. I guess I'd just say that he and I would disagree on how to approach customer service.
So, coming back to the 35,000 copies in 11 days, that's just amazing.
Comments??
- LightWave Dave
About the author
A long time Associate of the GarageGames' community and author of the Torque 3D Game Development Cookbook. Buy it today from Packt Publishing!
#2
All in all though say what you will about Derek Smart but I don't think that he's the type of guy that would make up sales numbers to stoke his ego. He is the type of guy that exactly would walk around and say "hey guess what I did nay-sayers, I just sold 35,000 copies in 11 days, go put that in your pipe and smoke it", why? because it stokes his ego.
As such 35,000 copies is a huge accomplishment and on many levels blow away what most of us here have done or ever will do with our games. So give it to Derek regardless how much you might hate the guy for sticking to an IP and building a fan base slowly that will go out there and do something like this.
09/28/2005 (3:34 pm)
Joseph its not that he lied about having a PhD, its that he got it form a post-secondary instutution that is not recognized to giving out PhDs.All in all though say what you will about Derek Smart but I don't think that he's the type of guy that would make up sales numbers to stoke his ego. He is the type of guy that exactly would walk around and say "hey guess what I did nay-sayers, I just sold 35,000 copies in 11 days, go put that in your pipe and smoke it", why? because it stokes his ego.
As such 35,000 copies is a huge accomplishment and on many levels blow away what most of us here have done or ever will do with our games. So give it to Derek regardless how much you might hate the guy for sticking to an IP and building a fan base slowly that will go out there and do something like this.
#3
-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
09/28/2005 (3:39 pm)
I hope this number is accurate because whether or not you love or hate him, he's an indie. Well, kind of... he seems to get publishers and somehow end up with his stuff at any rate.-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
#4
I hate this kind of blatant B.S.
Anyway, if that number is credible, I think it's awesome news...
Oh, and this thread isn't complete without at least one link to Flame War Follies
-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
09/28/2005 (3:46 pm)
Quote:He regaled his listeners in an epic tale of programming where he dwindled away six months of development time, trying to improve upon his infrastructure by switching to a different AI programming language. But in the end, he would only find himself returning to original code he wrote for his initial Battlecruiser release in the early 90's.
I hate this kind of blatant B.S.
Anyway, if that number is credible, I think it's awesome news...
Oh, and this thread isn't complete without at least one link to Flame War Follies
-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games
#5
Another note, I think this proves that no publicity is bad publicity. (Well, within limits and with a bunch of qualifiers)
I mean, holy cow, I would never follow anything he does... but, I couldn't help but know about Universal Combat due to the flame out with his publisher and a zillion news items and posts on bluesnews.com and elsewhere...
09/28/2005 (4:00 pm)
(Again, if this number is remotely accurate)Another note, I think this proves that no publicity is bad publicity. (Well, within limits and with a bunch of qualifiers)
I mean, holy cow, I would never follow anything he does... but, I couldn't help but know about Universal Combat due to the flame out with his publisher and a zillion news items and posts on bluesnews.com and elsewhere...
#6
Sure, he gets press, but I'd rather be unknown than known as a ligitinous egomaniac.
09/28/2005 (6:45 pm)
Don't say his name too much, it'll summon him. ;)Sure, he gets press, but I'd rather be unknown than known as a ligitinous egomaniac.
#7
i know a guy that seems kind of like him. a little immature and hot headed, but a smart dude with great drive and passion.
The problem is that internet discussions too often get reduced to the lowest common denominator, so no matter how smart mr Smart is, when it gets turned into throwing "FU!" back and forth no one gets respect.
09/28/2005 (7:50 pm)
He might be an ego maniac, but i think his biggest 'problem' is that he doesnt know how to ignore the idiots itching for a fight.i know a guy that seems kind of like him. a little immature and hot headed, but a smart dude with great drive and passion.
The problem is that internet discussions too often get reduced to the lowest common denominator, so no matter how smart mr Smart is, when it gets turned into throwing "FU!" back and forth no one gets respect.
#8
09/28/2005 (8:16 pm)
I bought Battlecruiser 3000. In fact I had pre-ordered it. I still have the disk somewhere. It was unplayable out of the box, it didn't even come with a manual! I believed in the game and hung on to hope that it would be fixed, but I gave up after a couple of months. I tried to get a refund, but the online store that I had bought it from wouldn't do it. I think it was around the same time period that Quake had come out too. I have never bought another thing from Take2 or Derek Smart since. I mean, good for him, but I am still out $50.00!
#9
I was completely confused by the game and didn't enjoy the time spent in any way. It seemed schizophrenic, totally lacking any polish, and like it had thousands of half baked and poorly implemented ideas.
09/28/2005 (8:49 pm)
I really gave Battlecruiser 3000 (the free version) an honest try... there is something about a single programmer tackling a project that is way too big that appeals to me... I was completely confused by the game and didn't enjoy the time spent in any way. It seemed schizophrenic, totally lacking any polish, and like it had thousands of half baked and poorly implemented ideas.
#10
I wonder if Smart is his real last name or an alias :)
09/28/2005 (9:15 pm)
Lol yea I remember Battlecruiser 3000...I wonder if Smart is his real last name or an alias :)
#11
09/28/2005 (9:34 pm)
Hey, my partner wrote that article about the meeting. He is the reporter for the south florida chapter of the IGDA and i am on the board with Derek. He is a great guy and i love his "FU" attitude. He tells it how it is and doesn't sugar coat anything. UC is only available on online distribution. He doesn't play nicely with publishers. He has a very huge fan base that is active in his community, so those numbers are realistic.
#12
Kenny, thanks for popping by and providing another source for the article. That number of units sold is just incredible and is an inspiration -- regardless of what some think of the developer.
- LightWave Dave
09/28/2005 (10:34 pm)
Greetings!Kenny, thanks for popping by and providing another source for the article. That number of units sold is just incredible and is an inspiration -- regardless of what some think of the developer.
- LightWave Dave
#13
09/28/2005 (10:51 pm)
I've heard a lot about Derek Smart ... even from someone who did some work for him. Apparently, he gets on some people's nerves or steps on some people's toes. I haven't run into him myself but I'm happy to see someone doing the game he wants to do and making it successful. More power to him, he's doing what I want to do.
#14
However, I really did not like UC, but that's just me, I'm sure there is a very big market for that type of game out there.
09/29/2005 (1:19 am)
He used to be an avid poster here back when GarageGames first started.However, I really did not like UC, but that's just me, I'm sure there is a very big market for that type of game out there.
#15
Derek Smart might say, "Don't fix it if it isn't broken!" but it most certainly was.
09/29/2005 (3:52 am)
I got a copy of the game a while back when it was being praised for being re-released. It was so buggy I could barely play it, and half of the things made the game just crash.Derek Smart might say, "Don't fix it if it isn't broken!" but it most certainly was.
#16
09/29/2005 (11:25 am)
Derek Smart once linked to my blog. I felt honored. 
#17
I have learned over the years that this is the polite way of saying someone is an asshole :) Good for him and it is nothing but good for the indie community, as long as he can produce a good game I could care less what he is like as all he will do is bring more attention to our market and get more people to realise that indie's can make great games without a 30 million dollar budget
09/29/2005 (12:17 pm)
"He tells it how it is and doesn't sugar coat anything."I have learned over the years that this is the polite way of saying someone is an asshole :) Good for him and it is nothing but good for the indie community, as long as he can produce a good game I could care less what he is like as all he will do is bring more attention to our market and get more people to realise that indie's can make great games without a 30 million dollar budget
#18
BTW that is really saying something since I don't read any blogs whatsover.
09/29/2005 (12:34 pm)
Pat he probably likes your opinions and how you express them. I enjoy your blog and when you get worked up here on the forums. Your full of Pi$$ and Vinegar and you entertain me. :)BTW that is really saying something since I don't read any blogs whatsover.
#19
09/29/2005 (12:54 pm)
I guess if every thread about one of my games ended up being about me instead, I wouldn't be very happy about it. We make our own beds.
#20
09/29/2005 (2:06 pm)
Quote:I bought Battlecruiser 3000. In fact I had pre-ordered it. I still have the disk somewhere. It was unplayable out of the box, it didn't even come with a manual! I believed in the game and hung on to hope that it would be fixed, but I gave up after a couple of months.The Battlecruiser bugginess was the publishers fault for losing patience and rushing out a beta. IIRC there was a legal battle between Smart and Take2, resulting in Smart regaining the rights and rereleasing a fixed up version. I have it lying around somewhere - but the UI is rather unwieldy. I've not tried the UC demos. TBH, I think I'd rather play X.
Associate Joseph Euan
As for 35,000 copies... don't forget this is the guy that likes to lie (i.e, saying he has a PhD which dosen't exist) so I would take what he says with a pinch of salt.