From:	Mark Fender markf@******.com
Subject:	SR Future Products and such
Date:	Wed, 18 Aug 1999 16:48:38 -0500

> >I delight in opening my mail each day and reading comments from
> open-minded
> >players from around the globe. Tom was not a pud. He had some problems,
> I'm
> >sure. As everyone does. Please recall that he was one of the people that
> >invented this game to begin with. You gotta' give the guy some credit.
>
> I can agree with that. Dowd set up a nice framework, but IMO the world is
> in
> better hands now.
>
Depends on what you're after. Some like detailed rules for stuff (again).
Others want source material. Tom provided more source material (so far).

> >(and somehow I don't see FASA Interactive as being a step down. I'm
> >practically positive that FASA computer games make more than the RPG
> line).
>
> Well, anything can be a step down if you're being forced to go. ;-)
> I have no idea personally if that's the case, but there are rumors that
> point that direction.
> As for the profitability. I beg to differ.
> When you consider the time frame needed to make a single Battletech game
> (At
> least 1 year or more) and compare that to the few months of actual work
> that
> go into a single SR book.
> Factor in the need for multitudes of programmers, compared to a few
> writers
> for SR, and add in the fact that there's a TON of fans that CAN and DO
> write
> games on spec for FASA (several cents per word payment) compared to the
> BIG
> money that programmers earn.
> Computers that can handle a big programming job cost $$$ The old Apples
> that
> SR is composed on are dirt cheap.
> Consider the massive advertising needed for Mechwarrior 3, compared to
> free
> previews in Dragon and Inquest for SR.
> And lastly recall that ALL of FASA Interactives titles have been
> produced/distributed by thrid or fourth parties, who all get a share of
> the
> revenue.
>
> I can almost GUARANTEE that FASA's rpg lines make more cash per item than
> FASA Int.
> Of course, since video games have a wider audience, they are sure to sell
> more units, making a higher total gross.
>
So, you're agreeing with me?

> Wanna know who probably makes the most cash for FASA?
> Ral Partha! ;-)
>
Probably true.