The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

The Ur-Quan Masters Re-Release => General UQM Discussion => Topic started by: CeeVee on November 03, 2006, 04:36:22 am



Title: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: CeeVee on November 03, 2006, 04:36:22 am
So I was going to sign the petition and write a letter to good ol' TFB for a sequel. I want to see this come to fruition as much as the rest of you guys, because a game as wonderful as Star Control 2 deserves it. ;)

The thing is…I’m not quite sure of exactly how to go about it. That is, what kind of letter are they looking for? Do they want a simple “Please make a Star Control sequel. Thanks!” or do they want something more akin to a long letter detailing how much you love Star Control, filled with short stories of fannish fondness. Would the latter be considered a little too creepy and weird?

What approach did you take when writing your letter?


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: meep-eep on November 03, 2006, 05:48:24 am
If they receive many, it's probably mainly the count that erm... counts. But it would be nice to give it some personal touch and show that you've given this some thought.
Anything that could convince someone from Activision would be good. I expect things like how you'll be buying a copy wouldn't hurt, and how you'll be telling your friends about it, and how you have confidence in TFB to make them a money-making game.
Personal stories, if nothing else, would make a good read for the people at TFB. And if they touch the Activision person in charge, all the better.


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on November 03, 2006, 02:13:44 pm
What approach did you take when writing your letter?

I usually start off with something like "Dear Alex," "Hey Alex" "Dear Alex and the rest of Toys for Bob".

I then write about how much I love the game, why I love, the fact that I play the UQM with the remixes, and that I have never forgotten about it. On a few letters, I've said that Activision are a bunch of fools if they do not allow a new Star Control. And I write how important a new Star Control game is, that it cannot hide in the dark anymore, and the adventure must continue!!! Also, I put emphasis that Star Control cannot be ignored any longer...

I hope that helps.  And please don't stop writing letters!  The more the better.  Alex wants 1 million letters, and we're gonna try our hardest to get there!


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: youBastrd on November 04, 2006, 01:45:34 am
There are a large number of people that talk about plaing SC-series games with their family and closest friends.  For them it's a throwback in time, it's like it becomes the best memories they have, now all wrapped up in windows installer and a GPL license.  Like 80's night, but real-time nostalgia.

What you may wish to phrase is that you would like the people you play with now in UQM to also remember these times with similar nostalgia in a further 10+ years.  By creating a new game, such memories and great times are possible. 

Certainly a nice salutation helps, but a truly compelling story is your own.  It's *your* story about why *you* want a Star Control sequel.  This is a unique situation: the emails are actually being read (from what we gather).  The number of signatures isns't the compelling factor, it's emotional attachment that each story brings. 

Best of luck,
-yB!


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Culture20 on November 04, 2006, 06:16:27 am
The number of signatures isns't the compelling factor, it's emotional attachment that each story brings.
Darn; just when I was going to suggest we convince a spam-botnet owner to use his powers for good instead of evil.

From: <random name>
To: TFB
Subject:
  <random selection of paragraphs about how great SC2 was, and how I'd like a new one>
[optional advertisement for BiG Investment.  Wife wi.LL be. PLeasEd.]


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Novus on November 04, 2006, 09:05:56 am
Darn; just when I was going to suggest we convince a spam-botnet owner to use his powers for good instead of evil.

From: <random name>
To: TFB
Subject:
  <random selection of paragraphs about how great SC2 was, and how I'd like a new one>
[optional advertisement for BiG Investment.  Wife wi.LL be. PLeasEd.]
Too obvious. Maybe something like SCIgen (http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/scigen/) as a generator backend?


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: meep-eep on November 04, 2006, 11:23:25 am
Certainly a nice salutation helps, but a truly compelling story is your own.  It's *your* story about why *you* want a Star Control sequel.  This is a unique situation: the emails are actually being read (from what we gather).  The number of signatures isns't the compelling factor, it's emotional attachment that each story brings.
What will matter to Activision is whether a new SC game can make a profit. A good personal story may help a little bit, but if the audience is just the nostalgia players, it won't be enough. Activision will need to be convinced that the game concept would still sell, that TFB can make that game, that now is the time for such a game.
And they won't be reading every story anyhow. The number of stories will be more important.


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: CeeVee on November 04, 2006, 05:25:26 pm
Thank you all for your responses! Now I have a better idea of what I want and need to say in the letters.

On a few letters, I've said that Activision are a bunch of fools if they do not allow a new Star Control.

Wait, you can send more than one to them and they don't mind?

What will matter to Activision is whether a new SC game can make a profit. A good personal story may help a little bit, but if the audience is just the nostalgia players, it won't be enough.

I suppose it will help that I'm not really a nostalgia player, then. After all, I just learned about the game this year. ;) If anything, that shows that this game can still pull in players so many years after the fact.



Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on November 05, 2006, 12:20:32 am
On a few letters, I've said that Activision are a bunch of fools if they do not allow a new Star Control.

Wait, you can send more than one to them and they don't mind?

No, they don't mind at all.  They need as much support as possible.  Alex wants one million letters, and the more people we get, and the more these people write more than one letter (each saying different things of course), will certain leave a mark on Activision about making a new Star Control.

The more the merrier.  Star Control is more than just a game, and we must force Activision to realize this!


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: PlanetofDeath on November 07, 2006, 12:33:20 am
I played the first Star Control on the Genesis. A friend and I used to each choose a side, I was usually the Alliance, and we would run the starmap picking up precursor artifacts, then we would duel to the death.
 I did of course sign the petition. The gaming world really needs a new Star Control. I actually bought a pc to play Star Control 3, good thing I could use it to play other games..... ;D


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: NamelessPlayer on November 16, 2006, 12:44:01 am
This may sound crazy, but what's the e-mail address?

I don't have any general nostalgic feelings when playing SC2/UQM, due to not having played it back in its heyday. Hell, I didn't really even research the game until around the timeframe of UQM 0.4.0. However, a truly classic game never gets worse with age, and SC2 definitely falls under that category.

Today's gamers don't know what they missed out on. I'm kind of annoyed by how I appear to be the only SC fan in my area. More people need to witness the Star Control experience.

I'd also root for a new Starflight, but I don't even want to know how EA's gonna butcher that series.

I just want to see more epic space adventure games on the market! (The X-Universe games and other modern space "sims" might fit the bill, but they seem more akin to Elite with a focus on trading and whatnot rather than a focus on the main story as with SF and SC.)


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on November 16, 2006, 05:50:07 am
This may sound crazy, but what's the e-mail address?
It is alexness@toysforbob.com

a truly classic game never gets worse with age, and SC2 definitely falls under that category.

Today's gamers don't know what they missed out on. I'm kind of annoyed by how I appear to be the only SC fan in my area. More people need to witness the Star Control experience.
I agree with you completely.  I feel the same way too; when this new Star Control comes out (which it will, because of the amazing fan support), people will start looking up Star Control, and download UQM eventually.  Most people have never seen a ship management system, or combat ships with both strengths and weaknesses.  I've never seen any games use this ship concept.

Does anyone have any ideas for publicity stunts? :D LOL


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anarchy_Balsac on November 26, 2006, 02:46:11 am
It may also help to offer volunteer work if you have any coding accomplishments to show for it. They won't likely take anyone up on that offer but if they get the idea that people who they can take seriously want the game badly enough to work on it for free, it may help.


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Razorback on November 28, 2006, 07:11:40 am
This may sound crazy, but what's the e-mail address?
It is alexness@toysforbob.com

a truly classic game never gets worse with age, and SC2 definitely falls under that category.

Today's gamers don't know what they missed out on. I'm kind of annoyed by how I appear to be the only SC fan in my area. More people need to witness the Star Control experience.
I agree with you completely.  I feel the same way too; when this new Star Control comes out (which it will, because of the amazing fan support), people will start looking up Star Control, and download UQM eventually.  Most people have never seen a ship management system, or combat ships with both strengths and weaknesses.  I've never seen any games use this ship concept.

Does anyone have any ideas for publicity stunts? :D LOL

Ok.  It would take 12 of us to show up at an NFL game, would have to be a Cowboys away game.  Get t-shirts made that each spell out STAR CONTROL. The 12th man sits in the space with a big Ur-Quan graphic design on his shirt.  Could use posters with each letter instead of t-shirts.  Every time the home team starts going off on the Cowgirls, we just stand up and join right along.   ;D

Now if we could think of something abit more affordable...


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: NamelessPlayer on November 28, 2006, 10:15:38 pm
This may sound crazy, but what's the e-mail address?
It is alexness@toysforbob.com

a truly classic game never gets worse with age, and SC2 definitely falls under that category.

Today's gamers don't know what they missed out on. I'm kind of annoyed by how I appear to be the only SC fan in my area. More people need to witness the Star Control experience.
I agree with you completely.  I feel the same way too; when this new Star Control comes out (which it will, because of the amazing fan support), people will start looking up Star Control, and download UQM eventually.  Most people have never seen a ship management system, or combat ships with both strengths and weaknesses.  I've never seen any games use this ship concept.

Does anyone have any ideas for publicity stunts? :D LOL

Ok.  It would take 12 of us to show up at an NFL game, would have to be a Cowboys away game.  Get t-shirts made that each spell out STAR CONTROL. The 12th man sits in the space with a big Ur-Quan graphic design on his shirt.  Could use posters with each letter instead of t-shirts.  Every time the home team starts going off on the Cowgirls, we just stand up and join right along.   ;D

Now if we could think of something abit more affordable...
It shouldn't cost too much to make some posters as far as the letters go, though making a suitably-sized Ur-Quan image could be costly.

There's only one improvement I can think of: YOU MUST HAVE FWIFFO!

And, sadly, I can't attend. I'm not leaving Dallas, GA for an American football game, as I have too little interest in the sport(not to mention the high cost of plane tickets).


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Razorback on November 29, 2006, 12:34:41 am
[It shouldn't cost too much to make some posters as far as the letters go, though making a suitably-sized Ur-Quan image could be costly.

There's only one improvement I can think of: YOU MUST HAVE FWIFFO!

And, sadly, I can't attend. I'm not leaving Dallas, GA for an American football game, as I have too little interest in the sport(not to mention the high cost of plane tickets).

Yeah, the whole travel/accomodations/tickets thing gets abit pricey.   :P


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on November 29, 2006, 01:55:46 pm
Writing letters to TV shows and stations is always a good idea... :D


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anarchy_Balsac on November 30, 2006, 11:23:52 am

Now if we could think of something abit more affordable...

Show up on the sidewalk outside activision headquarters with signs saying, "Build the new Star Control"?


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on November 30, 2006, 08:03:29 pm
That's a good idea; really get their attention.  The trick is to attract enough people to come to Activision HQ, and rally.

It's bound to make the news sooner or later...  But for now, we have to keep writing those letters, and if someone had time to make more fan art, that would be awesome :D


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Culture20 on December 01, 2006, 01:45:24 am
Has anyone heard whether or not TFB would be interested in making Ur-Quan or Dnyarri plush toys like the ones on thinkgeek.com?  I think high volume sales for related art (which TFB own the content rights for) would raise some attention.


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: NamelessPlayer on December 01, 2006, 04:43:40 am
Has anyone heard whether or not TFB would be interested in making Ur-Quan or Dnyarri plush toys like the ones on thinkgeek.com?  I think high volume sales for related art (which TFB own the content rights for) would raise some attention.
ThinkGeek has Ur-Quan or Dnyarri plushies? Or are you saying that they SHOULD make said plushies?

Speaking of plushies, I should follow up on my plan to take over the world with Fwiffo plushies, as well as headcrab plushies, Rabite plushies, and other things. There are only a few problems:

-No one really knows for sure what the lower half of a Spathi's body is supposed to look like.
-I've never made a plushie before, but I could learn.


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Anthony on December 02, 2006, 05:45:51 pm
He's just implying that maybe someone could ask TFB if they want to release some SC merchandise such as a plush toy...


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: NamelessPlayer on December 02, 2006, 08:49:52 pm
He's just implying that maybe someone could ask TFB if they want to release some SC merchandise such as a plush toy...
In that case, I support this idea 100%. Why haven't they made SC merchandise already? (There's a few examples like the Kohr-Ah shirt, but not nearly enough.)

(Besides, we all want Fwiffo plushies! Right?)


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Neonlare on December 02, 2006, 11:49:21 pm
I want a Yehat action figure...


Title: Re: A question about the letters to Toys For Bob for a sequel.
Post by: Culture20 on December 04, 2006, 03:25:29 am
ThinkGeek has Ur-Quan or Dnyarri plushies? Or are you saying that they SHOULD make said plushies?
_Should_ Heck, they've got plushies of other uniquely geeky things, and they cover software developers' desks everywhere.