Panther Games will be changing publishers at the end of October 2014. It has signed an agreement with another publisher to publish both its computer and board games. We will announce the new publisher soon.
Panther will be leaving Matrix Games with a lot of good will. The Command Ops Public Forum at Matrix Games will remain available to customers after the transition and support through Matrix Games will continue until the end of October 2014. While not expected, should any future updates to the titles sold through Matrix be required, they would also be compatible with the Matrix Games releases.
Mr Dave O'Connor, President of Panther Games, said "We have been with Matrix Games for ten years and have enjoyed working with them. We are looking forward to streamlining our arrangements for publishing both our computer and board games. We wish Matrix Games all the best for the future."
Canberra, Australia. 2 September 2014
http://www.panthergames.com/
Wow!
Who's the new publisher?
Interesting indeed.....wonder what other publisher it can be.
I also wonder what it does mean for the existing games already purchased if they will be really furthering that series or starting something new. Message said "While not expected, should any further updates to the titles sold through matrix be required, they would also be compatible with matrix releases". Kind of sounds like the existing games are not expected to grow/patch any further, but hard to tell by this message.
If the new publisher allows them to get out more games cheaper and faster, then could be positive news...guess we will see and wish them the best of luck.
Also interesting...nothing mentioned at all over at matrix unless missed it somewhere.....
By streamlining maybe they mean releasing on Steam and reaching a bigger audience.
Quote from: Blucher on September 02, 2014, 05:19:55 AM
By streamlining maybe they mean releasing on Steam and reaching a bigger audience.
Not sure, they could have done that staying with Matrix but maybe more money to be had elsewhere. It has to be a publisher that supports both board and computer games since they mentioned the new publisher would handle both. I guess time will tell. Just interesting to make this announcement at a time they still couldn't say who the new publisher was, adds to the mystery:)
Lock&Load maybe? I know they only have 1 computer game but David Heath is there now so maybe they feel ready to expand the offerings.
I reckon it might be LnL Publishing, sell the pc games via Steam and publish the boardgames themselves.Also Dave had a good relationship with David Heath... just a WAG though..;D
ha! Ninja'd! ;D
LnL would be my first guess, but there are other options for board and computer games too. They could also self publish too. Go the Tiller route. Have to wait and see.
I dont understand why make an announcement now without providing all the details?
It just leads to confusion and speculation
Con
LNLP - the board game company - does not have a computer game. Matrix publishes the one that is based on the board game
Quote from: Con on September 02, 2014, 06:27:13 AM
I dont understand why make an announcement now without providing all the details?
It just leads to confusion and speculation
Con
My thoughts exactly.....seems like it stirs a mystery, especially without any formal acknowledgment at Matrix. Makes it seem like they weren't on the same page, which maybe they weren't anyway:)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 06:44:44 AM
LNLP - the board game company - does not have a computer game. Matrix publishes the one that is based on the board game
True. Still doesn't rule out the possibility though.
I hope the DRM stays similar to Matrix's. It has always been simple and painless.
Saw this posted at Matrix from Panther Games....
"I have agreed with Slitherine not to make an announcement about this matter on their forum. I am flying to North America tomorrow morning. So I will be out of touch for a day or so till I arrive in San Francisco. If you need to contact us after that check out our website for contact details."
Very strange this would have not been handled in a more coordinated fashion and at the official site....must have been something that came up suddenly or not under the best of circumstances.
word's already out on the Matrix forums.
Quote from: Con on September 02, 2014, 06:27:13 AM
I dont understand why make an announcement now without providing all the details?
It just leads to confusion and speculation
Con
October 2014 is coming up fast; don't want to just spring the forthcoming lack of Matrix support out of nowhere.
Quote from: Blucher on September 02, 2014, 05:19:55 AM
By streamlining maybe they mean releasing on Steam and reaching a bigger audience.
And finally getting out the 2nd half of their Conquest of the Aegean conversion. :))
I am kind of glad something is changing there. Panther/Matrix seemed a little discombobulated over the last six months. Like the left and didn't know what the right was doing. There seemed to be a lot of confusion around the patching process. I wonder if throwing SLitherine into the mix forced something to happen.
Panther on Steam? Doesn't strike me as likely.
They're an established concern serving a VERY niche market making them a bit too big for Greenlight but not quite big enough for a major release. Besides, something I got taught at Gen Con about the Apple Store strikes me as applicable here: in Steam you're fighting for eyeball time in front of the customers and, for all their wonderfulness, Panther Games don't have either the visual sexy or the disposable affordability that seems to drive the Steam Marketplace.
I'll throw in my guess and say self-publish.
I certainly look forward to whatever it is they do.
Best,
Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)
self publish would be good ...they don't have to share the income from the limited niche market sales and only the player s and fans are left to constantly 'nagging' about keeping inside given project deadlines.
Board games are the wrench in self-publishing. Unless you have the equipment to print and punch, you are stuck working with someone.
Interesting indeed. If nothing else the lack of details stirs up conversation. L&L would be my guess too, but since L&L just published a game through the Slitherine/Matrix/Ageod conglomerate it would make me wonder about L&L's decision to publish there previously. I suppose there were contracts in place and new management hadn't taken over for L&L yet.
I genuinely like the games produced and developed by Slitherine, but sometimes the older games just get lost in mix. They are front page news and focus for awhile but are quickly forgotten with every new release, update, or seemingly more favored games. Maybe this is what a small developer needs is a break from all of the competing interests to help keep focus on their game designs and development.
Just to throw a real wild card out there would be GMT. Not sure they have the experience or distribution method to do digital game distribution, but that would be a very interesting and good development for the world of gaming imho.
Dave said he was coming to San Francisco so which publishers are located in or around that city....although he certainly could be coming just for vacation or other personal business:)
SF is a hub into the US from most pacific locations. Not sure you can read into it too much.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 02, 2014, 12:46:35 PM
Dave said he was coming to San Francisco so which publishers are located in or around that city....although he certainly could be coming just for vacation or other personal business:)
Or b/c SF is the cheapest landing spot he could get out of Oz and then traveling on from there
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 12:52:18 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 02, 2014, 12:46:35 PM
Dave said he was coming to San Francisco so which publishers are located in or around that city....although he certainly could be coming just for vacation or other personal business:)
Or b/c SF is the cheapest landing spot he could get out of Oz and then traveling on from there
That's not fun if we don't get to speculate:) I am not much of a traveler myself, so have no idea about that stuff....
I'll just say this - based on 3 different pieces of information, from 3 different sources who did not talk to each other in advance and probably have no idea they all talked to me, I'm 98% certain I know what's happening. The problem is that I can't talk about it publicly without betraying some confidences and I'm not going to do that.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 01:17:12 PM
I'll just say this - based on 3 different pieces of information, from 3 different sources who did not talk to each other in advance and probably have no idea they all talked to me, I'm 98% certain I know what's happening. The problem is that I can't talk about it publicly without betraying some confidences and I'm not going to do that.
^ You Tease
Unless it involves underwear a monkey and a piece of string you should be able to give more details than that without really breaking any confidences
Con
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 01:17:12 PM
I'll just say this - based on 3 different pieces of information, from 3 different sources who did not talk to each other in advance and probably have no idea they all talked to me, I'm 98% certain I know what's happening. The problem is that I can't talk about it publicly without betraying some confidences and I'm not going to do that.
Yep, never would ask anyone to leak any confidential information....I am sure we all will find out soon enough when they are ready. I am just hoping the news results in more games/expansions based on their system but in shorter release cycles.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 01:17:12 PM
I'll just say this - based on 3 different pieces of information, from 3 different sources who did not talk to each other in advance and probably have no idea they all talked to me, I'm 98% certain I know what's happening. The problem is that I can't talk about it publicly without betraying some confidences and I'm not going to do that.
Or send PMs to us all
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 01:17:12 PM
I'll just say this - based on 3 different pieces of information, from 3 different sources who did not talk to each other in advance and probably have no idea they all talked to me, I'm 98% certain I know what's happening. The problem is that I can't talk about it publicly without betraying some confidences and I'm not going to do that.
Isn't that what anonymous sources are used for to scoop news stories? I'm not saying you need to call them Deep Throat, perhaps Fall Rosa or something.
I hope they fix the text cutting off on the information screens before they go. HTTR is fine, but COTA and onwards cuts off a lot of important text making it hard to follow what is going on with a unit during a battle. It seems to be a problem ever since I got a widescreen monitor @ 1920x1080, as it didn't happen with my old monitor - now in monitor heaven O:-).
Quote from: Boggit on September 02, 2014, 02:37:56 PM
I hope they fix the text cutting off on the information screens before they go. HTTR is fine, but COTA and onwards cuts off a lot of important text making it hard to follow what is going on with a unit during a battle. It seems to be a problem ever since I got a widescreen monitor @ 1920x1080, as it didn't happen with my old monitor - now in monitor heaven O:-).
Boggit make sure your default view in windows isn't set to something other than 100% Panther games like Ageod have text issues if you use a zoom level other than 100%.
Thanks Bison. Sadly it is at 100%, and no luck. :( (Win 7 Professional)
Strangely HTTR is fine, it's COTA that truncates the info panel on the left. If you have any other ideas let me know. I'd love to get it playing properly. :)
I don't know if your talking about the same thing, but i had to reduce my font size when i had the issue. Window 7 defaults to 125% text size, I set it to 100% and it fixed me up.
Win8 defaults to 125% - thanks Microsoft for the f'up. :tickedoff: One other font setting to look at is DPI. Having that not set to the default can also blow up text boxes.
Wait, wait... you guys are actually unhappy with your Windows boxes? After all the crap y'all give me about my Mac, you'd think they do everything but give bl.... uh... family show here, move along :)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 05:51:48 PM
Wait, wait... you guys are actually unhappy with your Windows boxes? After all the crap y'all give me about my Mac, you'd think they do everything but give bl....
What do you mean, "but"? ;)
Back to the main topic -- Dave, I trust you'll keep us posted about where you wind up! :)
Quote from: Con on September 02, 2014, 01:19:50 PM
Unless it involves underwear a monkey and a piece of string you should be able to give more details than that without really breaking any confidences
I just want to register a vote for hearing more about the underwear, monkey, and piece of string. As fascinating as the Panther thing is, it's not every day you get a good monkey story.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 05:51:48 PM
Wait, wait... you guys are actually unhappy with your Windows boxes? After all the crap y'all give me about my Mac, you'd think they do everything but give bl.... uh... family show here, move along :)
Computer users bitch about everything. At least PC users are given the option to use a plethora of alternatives when it happens. :P
Quote from: Nefaro on September 02, 2014, 07:36:39 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 02, 2014, 05:51:48 PM
Wait, wait... you guys are actually unhappy with your Windows boxes? After all the crap y'all give me about my Mac, you'd think they do everything but give bl.... uh... family show here, move along :)
Computer users bitch about everything. At least PC users are given the option to use a plethora of alternatives when it happens. :P
You mean alternatives such as OSX? ;)
I've heard enough from other developers so this news doesn't come as a shock.
Hopefully Panther and customers will benefit from the split.
I'm not going to speculate about anything - but I will say this - the place changed when Slitherine came on board. I noticed a huge change in the forums and the attitude.
I don't really take any pride in saying that - because I hope Matrix go on for many years - but the change was palpable and I left not that long after...it just wasn't the same and I'm sorry - I just can't put my finger on it.
I have no idea why Panther are leaving and it's likely nothing to do with my thoughts here.
Quote from: JudgeDredd on September 04, 2014, 04:20:21 PM
I'm not going to speculate about anything - but I will say this - the place changed when Slitherine came on board. I noticed a huge change in the forums and the attitude.
True words.....also changed on the support end.
http://grogheads.com/?p=6388
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2FTOFS-counters-style-rev5.jpg&hash=8cbae3bcf8f7e6483486d7026804030c3f6f6058)
click to enlarge
wow! ;D
Dem counters sure are purrty..
Quote from: Pinetree on October 20, 2014, 06:02:43 AM
Dem counters sure are purrty..
You speak the truth sir
Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 20, 2014, 05:25:18 AM
http://grogheads.com/?p=6388
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2FTOFS-counters-style-rev5.jpg&hash=8cbae3bcf8f7e6483486d7026804030c3f6f6058)
click to enlarge
Wow! That is excellent news!
Panther's boardgame Trial of Strength is getting a reprint.
Some of us even have draft copies of the new rules. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2FRoadRunner_Smilie.gif&hash=e6b313bbc66d8e1fa052d30d6806c05d2da5454f)
Good for LnL Publishing. It's only good for the hobby to have multiple companies working to publish and develop wargames.
Quote from: LongBlade on October 20, 2014, 08:56:05 AM
Panther's boardgame Trial of Strength is getting a reprint.
Some of us even have draft copies of the new rules. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2FRoadRunner_Smilie.gif&hash=e6b313bbc66d8e1fa052d30d6806c05d2da5454f)
Any sense of a possible release date? Sooner rather than later, I hope :)
Quote from: mirth on October 20, 2014, 09:17:37 AM
Quote from: LongBlade on October 20, 2014, 08:56:05 AM
Panther's boardgame Trial of Strength is getting a reprint.
Some of us even have draft copies of the new rules. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2FRoadRunner_Smilie.gif&hash=e6b313bbc66d8e1fa052d30d6806c05d2da5454f)
Any sense of a possible release date? Sooner rather than later, I hope :)
It's been re-written (by someone on these boards, no less. No, not me.) and is back in Dave's hands for proofing.
As for a release date - I don't even have a hint. The good news is the game has been published once. I suspect we'll see updated maps and graphics for the counters, but the basic designs (and hard work) have already been done.
Awesome. Thanks, LB. I'll definitely be picking it up when it's ready.
ach...two player :(
I don't see anything on this on the Panther games website so is this confirmed?
Also would like to know what this means for availability of the med campaigns as well as any news or updates on command ops 2.0 since I see a screen shot for this
Thanks
Con
It's confirmed. Got it direct from LNLP and Arjuna also announced it on their forums late last night
Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 20, 2014, 04:38:25 PM
It's confirmed. Got it direct from LNLP and Arjuna also announced it on their forums late last night
Double confirmed. I was in the room with Panther at LnL's HQ about two weeks ago.
Quote from: Con on October 20, 2014, 04:35:22 PM
I don't see anything on this on the Panther games website so is this confirmed?
Also would like to know what this means for availability of the med campaigns as well as any news or updates on command ops 2.0 since I see a screen shot for this
Thanks
Con
Sorry I haven't had time to update our website yet. But I can confirm that LNL is our new publisher for both board and digital games. It's good to be working with David Heath again. I am sure he and his team will give us the best marketing support. I have a few things to attend to here in Canberra after arriving back from six weeks in North America. But I will be getting back into the coding shortly for Command Ops 2 (CO2). I'll be releasing some screenshots and details about the new CO2 features on Lock 'n' Load (LNL) website over the coming days.
The basic plan at this stage is to release the CO2 engine and then the Mediterranean (Med), Knock on all Doors (KOAD) and Westwall packs in short order over the coming months. I'm not going to give precise timings for release. But I can say that the Med and KOAD packs are basically done. They may need a few tweaks once the CO2 engine is done. The Westwall pack has most of its scenarios done but needs playtesting.
Congrats on the new publisher. One question, i thought the med pack was an addon for CO1? From your post it almost sounds like its for the CO2 engine.
Quote from: Arjuna on October 20, 2014, 07:53:14 PM
Quote from: Con on October 20, 2014, 04:35:22 PM
I don't see anything on this on the Panther games website so is this confirmed?
Also would like to know what this means for availability of the med campaigns as well as any news or updates on command ops 2.0 since I see a screen shot for this
Thanks
Con
Sorry I haven't had time to update our website yet. But I can confirm that LNL is our new publisher for both board and digital games. It's good to be working with David Heath again. I am sure he and his team will give us the best marketing support. I have a few things to attend to here in Canberra after arriving back from six weeks in North America. But I will be getting back into the coding shortly for Command Ops 2 (CO2). I'll be releasing some screenshots and details about the new CO2 features on Lock 'n' Load (LNL) website over the coming days.
The basic plan at this stage is to release the CO2 engine and then the Mediterranean (Med), Knock on all Doors (KOAD) and Westwall packs in short order over the coming months. I'm not going to give precise timings for release. But I can say that the Med and KOAD packs are basically done. They may need a few tweaks once the CO2 engine is done. The Westwall pack has most of its scenarios done but needs playtesting.
Thanks for the replies I totally feel like a nudge because reading your reply I have so many more questions. I also recognize that you guys are working on these projects and it's unfair to ask questions when you have not committed to launch dates etc.
My 2cents though is I would provide if possible a clear path of what you will be releasing and for which platform as soon as possible. This will help for those like me to clarify what you are doing (ie is med pack next and with co1 etc)
Lastly without painting yourself into a corner will you be entertaining some sort of loyalty program for those who want to upgrade from first gen command ops?
Thanks
Con
Quote from: LongBlade on October 20, 2014, 05:13:01 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 20, 2014, 04:38:25 PM
It's confirmed. Got it direct from LNLP and Arjuna also announced it on their forums late last night
Double confirmed. I was in the room with Panther at LnL's HQ about two weeks ago.
I thought you gave up that strippergram gig?
How about giving Dave a stickied thread for people to post questions and for him to answer?
Quote from: JudgeDredd on October 21, 2014, 12:23:41 AM
How about giving Dave a stickied thread for people to post questions and for him to answer?
Like you guys are going to let this fall past the first 5-8 threads on the page! :2funny:
SQUEEEEEONNNKK!!
(Like a squee. But more masculine.)
Regarding the Med, the expansion pack for Command Ops only covered half the material from Conquest of the Aegean; presumably this is the other half?
... Or the sound a moose in heat makes :))
Quote from: JasonPratt on October 21, 2014, 09:29:20 AM
SQUEEEEEONNNKK!!
(Like a squee. But more masculine.)
Regarding the Med, the expansion pack for Command Ops only covered half the material from Conquest of the Aegean; presumably this is the other half?
Yes its basically all the Crete/Malta and North Africa scenarios
Con
Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 20, 2014, 04:38:25 PM
It's confirmed. Got it direct from LNLP and Arjuna also announced it on their forums late last night
Gah, there ya go taking away opportunities for the perfect joke, just when I was about to say no wonder things have been so quite over at Storm Powered.
Quote from: Hentzau on October 21, 2014, 09:33:09 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 20, 2014, 04:38:25 PM
It's confirmed. Got it direct from LNLP and Arjuna also announced it on their forums late last night
Gah, there ya go taking away opportunities for the perfect joke, just when I was about to say no wonder things have been so quite over at Storm Powered.
Okay, I actually laughed out loud on that one. You're a cruel man, but fair. :-)
So thats where Mr Heath went!!
Now I understand this move more. Seems Panther Dave and David Heath prob had a great relationship which was missed once the merger (Slitherine buy out) happened and David either wanted to go without saying bye on the forum or something else... Personally Matrix forum\community lost something after the merger..not sure what.
What would be excellent for us wargamers is if LnL become another big player in publishing wargames both board and digital and Slitherine has abit of competition and we get even more wargames!!
Anyway onwards and upwards. Hope it's big success for both parties and we finally get CO 2 East Front:)
Quote from: TacticalWargames on October 31, 2014, 05:28:05 PMPersonally Matrix forum\community lost something after the merger..not sure what.
"Moderation" is the word you're thinking of.
QuoteWhat would be excellent for us wargamers is if LnL become another big player in publishing wargames both board and digital
It's coming. Hold on to your hat :coolsmiley:
Yes I do have a good relationship with David Heath. He's a got a good head for business, is ethical and has a good sense of humour. What more could you want from a publisher?
As to East Front, well that is definetly coming. We have quite a number of scenarios in the works. But it is waiting on an im portant feature - ie mounted ops, where we handle mech inf and Russian cav units in a more realistic manner. For this initial outing of Command Ops 2 we will be focussing on the graphical user interface (GUI). I will be making announcements and showing off some screen shots on the Lock 'n Load forums over the coming days. Stay tuned.
What we will be releasing in the coming months are three new data packs or "modules" as LNL like to refer to them. The first will be the much anticipated Mediterranean module. this will have the Crete and Malta scenarios from the original Conquest of the Aegean plus a number of north African scenarios. The Knock on All Doors (KOAD) module will provide some huge scenarios that model the original German staff plan proposed for the Ardennes offensive in 1944. The Westwall module will cover the battles along the frontline north and south of the Ardennes in late 44/early 45.
So once we get CO2 out the door there will be a good flow of data content coming your way. :)
Moderation...I suppose..it seemed to have lost hmmm...spirit.....
Now your teasing:) You have given me some confidence we are going to see another wargame publisher that will compare to Slitherine.
Dave, sounds fantastic!
Quote from: LongBlade on October 31, 2014, 05:38:41 PM
Quote from: TacticalWargames on October 31, 2014, 05:28:05 PMPersonally Matrix forum\community lost something after the merger..not sure what.
"Moderation" is the word you're thinking of.
QuoteWhat would be excellent for us wargamers is if LnL become another big player in publishing wargames both board and digital
It's coming. Hold on to your hat :coolsmiley:
Quote from: TacticalWargames on October 31, 2014, 05:54:10 PM
Now your teasing:) You have given me some confidence we are going to see another wargame publisher that will compare to Slitherine.
That remains to be seen. But there are plans to expand LnL's footprint to include electronic games. If things pan out everyone should win.