Shadow Empire - planetary conquest from Advanced Tactics/Decisive Campaigns dev

[Harthwain]

Looks like YouTuber TortugaPower is doing Let's play of the Beta Preview: Shadow Empire | Beta Preview - Earth-like World - 01 - State of the Union. He picks up from where he ended in the Twitch stream.

At the moment this is for me.

 

[Shog-goth]

Very interesting, it's one of those (very rare) games which seem to be how they should have been if the past 20 years hadn't ended in a black hole (or, better, down the toilet). A synthesis of Alpha Centauri and Emperor of the Fading Suns, what more could I ask for? Signed for the public beta, in any case day-one purchase.

 

[Shog-goth]

Shadow Empire Preview: The Graykeep AAR Part 1

 

[Shog-goth]

 

[Stone Dog]

Let's hope this increase in promotional material means the release is soon-ish.

 

[Harthwain]

Officially YouTubers are playing Beta. Open Beta started in "Oct. 14, 2019", which means 6 months ago. Make of that what you will. Personally I'd wager on anywhere between a month and three before the game is released.

 

[Edija]

I've been watching Das play and following the development here and there. I'm really optimistic, this seems to be something akin to Distant Worlds Universe when it comes to the complexity and the potential mods. Also, I haven't seen many bugs, seems rather polished. The presentation is okay, mods for icons and portraits would really improve the looks. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Shog-goth]

Let's hope this increase in promotional material means the release is soon-ish.

Apparently, the press kit stated June:

As Balto says, the date we were given as the target date in our 'press kit' was for June but I'd consider that a bit rubbery.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4796406

 

[Edija]

So, who is in the BETA? Upload it don't be a sissy.

Spoiler

Pirating games like this is really a dick move but I'd like to play it right now, from what I can see they could've gone early access, looks okay for now. This way I'll have to wait until June.

 

[oscar]

Release date confirmed for 4th of June

https://www.matrixgames.com/game/sh...-87609897&mc_cid=77cb0726f3&mc_eid=a4ed60220c

 

[Edija]

Apparently it will be exclusively available on Matrix Store for some time, I guess they want to make the majority of cash without giving Gabe a cut.

 

[Galdred]

Apparently it will be exclusively available on Matrix Store for some time, I guess they want to make the majority of cash without giving Gabe a cut.

They got a good read on me: that will probably not prevent me from getting it ASAP. I really like the previous works of its designer, and it looks really promising if you can live with the art.
At least, they make the Steam key available when you purchase there.

 

[dehimos]

Does the dev receive more money in this store? It's the only reason I would buy from Matrix.

Edit: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1154840/discussions/0/2248929785821437625/

Hi guys,

Shadow Empire will be released on June 4th on Matrix Games store while Steam release will follow.

It's a procedure we apply for the majority of our "wargames" and complex strategy games.

As always it will be possible to redeem the Steam key of the game once it will be out on Steam, for which you won't have to wait until 2021.

Hope this helps in clarifying better the situation.

Best

 

[Galdred]

Matrix is the publisher, not only a storefront :
They take their cut anyway (for marketing, maybe giving him some money in advance, and other publisher stuff...) , whether it is sold on Steam or on their store.

So the difference is that on steam, the dev would get:
70% * X % (100%-matrix share) * Price

On Matrix, he would get: (100%-matrix share) * Price

Unless Matrix also takes a share for transactions that happen on their store, but I doubt so (they don't sell games from other publishers AFAIK).

Does the dev receive more money in this store? It's the only reason I would buy from Matrix.

Edit: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1154840/discussions/0/2248929785821437625/

Hi guys,

Shadow Empire will be released on June 4th on Matrix Games store while Steam release will follow.

It's a procedure we apply for the majority of our "wargames" and complex strategy games.

As always it will be possible to redeem the Steam key of the game once it will be out on Steam, for which you won't have to wait until 2021.

Hope this helps in clarifying better the situation.

Best

 

[rusty_shackleford]

why does a game that looks like it was made by 1 person need a publisher?

 

[Comte]

why does a game that looks like it was made by 1 person need a publisher?

Maybe for marketing purposes? Also they make the physical copies if your into that sort of thing.

 

[Galdred]

why does a game that looks like it was made by 1 person need a publisher?

Maybe for marketing purposes? Also they make the physical copies if your into that sort of thing.

Indeed, the publisher is for PR/marketing.
One of the dev who worked with Matrix before (but stopped) told me they were quite helpful to push games that catered to their niche (traditional wargames, or 40K games), but not much for games that fall outside.
So Shadow Empire is a weird fit in that respect:
It sure doesn't fit with the usual Matrix catalogue, but the dev has written some iconic games for them before (Advanced Tactics WW2 and Decisive Campaign: Barbarossa).

 

[dehimos]

Matrix is the publisher, not only a storefront :
They take their cut anyway (for marketing, maybe giving him some money in advance, and other publisher stuff...) , whether it is sold on Steam or on their store.

So the difference is that on steam, the dev would get:
70% * X % (100%-matrix share) * Price

On Matrix, he would get: (100%-matrix share) * Price

Unless Matrix also takes a share for transactions that happen on their store, but I doubt so (they don't sell games from other publishers AFAIK).

I was asking this because if they also offer a steam key, I don't know how this part trades or if it affects the profit it receives. But I agree with that.

Matrix and Slitherine have been expanding their niche for several years: fantasy and science fiction games. But this is the first of all that interests me.

 

[razvedchiki]

this game begs for a warhammer 40k mod.

 

[Shog-goth]

I was asking this because if they also offer a steam key, I don't know how this part trades or if it affects the profit it receives. But I agree with that.

Matrix and Slitherine have been expanding their niche for several years: fantasy and science fiction games. But this is the first of all that interests me.

AFAIK Steam doesn't charge publishers and/or developers for keys. They only take a share on their own sales.

 

[Galdred]

this game begs for a warhammer 40k mod.

Yes! There was an unfinished 40k mod for their previous advanced tactics ww2.
It would be nice to have a complete one for this one.

 

[rusty_shackleford]

Indeed, the publisher is for PR/marketing.

They're doing a really good job of it considering I first heard about this game on a site for RPGs and it won't even be published on the largest PC storefront until next year.

 

[thesecret1]

Indeed, the publisher is for PR/marketing.

They're doing a really good job of it considering I first heard about this game on a site for RPGs and it won't even be published on the largest PC storefront until next year.

It's a game for grognards only, marketing it anywhere but on forums that grognards frequent would be a waste of time.

 

[Shog-goth]

They're doing a really good job of it considering I first heard about this game on a site for RPGs and it won't even be published on the largest PC storefront until next year.

Don't forget that they have access to the already established base of (most probably) very interested customers in a niche game like this.

 

[Harthwain]

Indeed, the publisher is for PR/marketing.

They're doing a really good job of it considering I first heard about this game on a site for RPGs and it won't even be published on the largest PC storefront until next year.

It's a game for grognards only, marketing it anywhere but on forums that grognards frequent would be a waste of time.

Rock Paper Shotgun's Flare Path could take interest in it.