Even with a great playable prototype showing off the turn-based combat, however: we couldn't sell it. Weird West isn't a popular genre, I suppose, but whatever the problem was once again the publishers Beamdog spoke to all passed. Once again, we were all ready to start writing and had to shelve it. - ThreadSky

davidgaider.bsky.social • 68 days ago

Even with a great playable prototype showing off the turn-based combat, however: we couldn't sell it. Weird West isn't a popular genre, I suppose, but whatever the problem was once again the publishers Beamdog spoke to all passed. Once again, we were all ready to start writing and had to shelve it.

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emzdanowicz.bsky.social•66 days ago

Were there discussions about going to Kickstarter with it to show potential publishers that there is actual interest? Cause I bet such game would do great on Kickstarter.

davidgaider.bsky.social•66 days ago

Kickstarter isn’t likely to raise anywhere near the amount needed. But I don’t remember if there were any discussions about it.

emzdanowicz.bsky.social•66 days ago

it can't, unfortunately, but I think there are many companies using it as a way to attract publishers and investors

davidgaider.bsky.social•66 days ago

Sure, but you can't do a Kickstarter unless you're *certain* you can then make the game. It comes with a promise that, if the KS is successful, the game will be made... not *might* be made if-funding-also-comes-later. Can you imagine?

emzdanowicz.bsky.social•66 days ago

yeah, that's true I guess... well. it's a shame it didn't end up in development, im sure it would be something special

kc0llin.bsky.social•67 days ago

The Old west game sounds so dope

veecee.bsky.social•67 days ago

I joined Beamdog a few years after you had already moved on, but I found the old Jira for Cold West when I was onboarding into the studio. Even what little was in there was really cool! I'm sorry that it didn't work out, but I'm glad that it led you to being able to form Summerfall!

tillywizard.bsky.social•68 days ago

“Weird West isn’t a popular genre” 😭 I’m being personally attacked. It won’t ever be popular if studios won’t take the chance on it, (tho I wonder the failure of the Dark Tower movie might have been a factor here?)

The concept sounds brilliant, what a missed opportunity.

davidgaider.bsky.social•68 days ago

Well, when it comes to genres, there's basically fantasy at the top, science fiction is a big step down, and then everything else far, far below those two - in terms of "general popularity". Not saying it's never possible for a story to break out of that, but it's a struggle right out of the gate.

davidgaider.bsky.social•68 days ago

I was gutted. Two cancellations in a row?

I always had the feeling Trent didn't think either of these games had much commercial appeal, but - to his credit - he let them happen. Now, however, it was time to make something more conventionally commercial.

Time for Beamdog, perhaps, but not for me.

knight1029.bsky.social•67 days ago

Would you ever try and make those cancelled games even if they were done under different names? I am enamoured with the idea of them and would love to see them come into existence.

davidgaider.bsky.social•67 days ago

They belong to Beamdog now, so far more than just the title would need to change. Though I'd love to do them, sure, given the chance.

knight1029.bsky.social•67 days ago

I hope so! The games you have made are really great and it would be amazing to see more from you. Especially any eventually RPGs that you make.

badi-haki.com•67 days ago

Thanks for sharing these stories, David. It's been really insightful. Also, it's kinda selfish, but I'd love to see your take on the weird West genre someday. I know you said in another reply that the ship has sailed, but just throwing it out there lol

trentoster.bsky.social•67 days ago

I had high hopes for both titles, but the challenges of building a new team, learning a new engine and finding funding were just too much. I'm actually the worst fund-raiser of all time. I have never successfully gotten funding for a game or company from anyone. All the things we shipped we paid for

davidgaider.bsky.social•67 days ago

Oh, we're not much better at the funding dance, honestly. I don't know how others manage it. At any rate, yeah... it makes me sad to think those projects are now forever dead. I had high hopes, too. Ah, well. 😔

trentoster.bsky.social•67 days ago

I think people just lie. During the Bioware heydays, you knew a Bioware game was going to cost double what we said and would take twice as long. We built a full projection for NWN, taking five years, Greg and Ray had us cut it to three for the pitch. We shipped it in five.

davidgaider.bsky.social•67 days ago

So people are probably hearing our honest estimates and doubling them or more, because everyone lies. That's a grim thought.

davidgaider.bsky.social•68 days ago

I would have left by this point anyhow, I think, but it just so happened I'd recently made a friend who was maybe that very biz dev-oriented person one needed to start a studio... and who wanted to do just that.

So, as I left Beamdog at the start of 2018, this time it was with a plan. Maybe. 😅

wanderingdm.bsky.social•68 days ago

Your story gives me hope. I can't say much bc NDA but I see a lot of similarities with current events and my anxieties reflected in your experiences.

Thank you for sharing all this

anikakinka.bsky.social•68 days ago

Thank you for sharing your story! It’s very inspirational! And that Cold West thing? Are you ever going to go back to it and would be in need of a concept artist? 😂

davidgaider.bsky.social•68 days ago

Cold West belongs to Beamdog now, though I doubt they’d ever do anything with it. As for me, I think Malys is as close as I’m going to get. ☺️

anikakinka.bsky.social•68 days ago

Ah, I’ve missed my chance! Best of luck and success with Malys then!

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