Misleading statements made by a computer games publisher

[Anima]

Hello. I don't follow strategy games all that much, but I do follow the industry. I'm a financial adviser for an up-and-coming electronics/hardware company and some recent news caught my attention.
Here:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-07-26-slitherine-group-the-case-is-now-made-for-premium-pricing

It's about the claims made by a publisher called Slitherine Group. Their claims are impressive (actually too impressive), of 480% increase in sales, so I decided to do some digging to find out if these statements about this growth are really what they seem. I did know about some of the history of Slitherine, that it had merged with Matrix Games, but that was all. After doing a bit of research I found out that it had acquired and merged with many other publishers and developers since then: Norbsoft, AGEOD, and the most recent being Fury Software (I'm sure there are many other companies I'm missing here). The sales increase claim by Slitherine doesn't mention the fact that they acquired the assets of Matrix Games, including its sites, forums and stores, and AGEOD.

It wasn't hard for me to figure out that the claim of this sales increase (480%) was mostly due to the acquisition of assets by Slitherine rather than any Slitherine has done to increase sales otherwise. The time period seems to suggest this as well. The increase is suggested to have taken place over a 3 year period (ending last quarter), and Slitherine had acquired Matrix Games three years ago (to the date). Did anyone else not notice this?

BTW, this seems to be a neat forum.

[Staggerwing]

Greetings Anima, welcome to Grogheads.
That's certainly a pointed first post you lead with. Slitherine can be a bit of a 'hot button' topic around here so it'll be interesting to see what others have to say.

[Steelgrave]

Anima, I'm putting your account on 24 hold for admin review. Someone coming out of nowhere who's first post is an attack is usually a major red flag.

[Bison]

Actually I just notice that Slitherine, Matrix, and Ageod make damn good games and I happy that they are making money.

[-budd-]

I just don't really care. I've heard all the pricing debates, and i have my own opinions on pricing. At the end of the day i just don't get to worked up about it. They can make what games they want and price them however they like and i'll buy what i want...it's as simple as that. I'm glad their making money so they can keep making games for me to consider spending my money on. There just games and i've got enough to play the rest of my life, so if i miss a game because of price or drm, ect ect. ...I won't lose any sleep over it.

[bbmike]

Actually I just notice that Slitherine, Matrix, and Ageod make damn good games and I happy that they are making money.

+1  8)

[Kushan]

Actually I just notice that Slitherine, Matrix, and Ageod make damn good games and I happy that they are making money.

+1  8)

+2

As long as they continue to make games I want to play I really don't care who they acquire or merge with.

The spammers are really out in full this weekend.

[tgb]

I agree with the comments about the quality of (most of) the product coming from Matrix/Slitherine.  I also wonder about the agenda that the OP may have.

[Tuna]

I think they meant Premium prices with regards to tablet games.. the most expensive games you see on tablets are usually like 5 bucks.. Now I would've gladly bought Battle Academy for 20 for my tablet (even though I don't touch it much on my PC, I think it would be a great casual game for the tablet). Sadly, they are not really touching Android.

Slitherine in general their starting price points on PC games are not premium, they are reasonable.. usually the 39 dollar range..

Not like Matrix who now and then has their 80 dollar games that never drop..

If they do want to raise their PC game prices more.. than more power to them.. I've got tons of crap that I won't even get to, from all the sales around.. Lately i've really been into Total War and Civ.. and I'm excited for EUIV coming out soon. Also right now playing  HOI III.
Yes, I look forward to AGEOD ACW II.. but if they follow the Matrix pricing route, then I will just do without. If they are priced like the usual AGEOD game, then I will buy in a heartbeat. Note: I bought ProN on release, and even though I think it is unplayable, I do not regret it because that company gave me a lot of joy with ACW and AJE!

I also think it is very suspicious that a new member's first post is something like this, smart move with the administrative hold.

[MikeGER]

Actually I just notice that Slitherine, Matrix, and Ageod make damn good games and I happy that they are making money.

+1  8)

+1
I am just a customer, and those biz mumbo jumbo talk is just biz mumbo jumbo talk, i dont care   

I like to see wargames i like to be developed and released on schedule by Matrix/Slitherine, so i even help with some beta testing on my favorites.
I had the honor to talk to the McNeils and crew in person several times, and was pleased they take plenty of time and listen to a casual customer showing up at their booth at games fairs and are very open to discuss their plans on upcoming games, and their strategy to operate in the markets for different platforms at eye level with a wargame-aficionado, aka a Groghead  :) 

[mikeck]

A game is worth what someone will pay for it. If a company is putting out false clas as to sales, I don't care unless I'm a stockholder. If they make good games, great....I don't give a hoot if they lie about their profit.

Op post sounds like a competitor

[panzerde]

+3 to Bison's post.

Isn't the OP also factually incorrect?  Yes, Slitherine did purchase and merge with Matrix and AGEOD, but I believe all of the other companies mentioned are just developers who publish through Slitherine/Matrix, aren't they? 

[Huw the Poo]

The spammers are really out in full this weekend.

Whether you agree or disagree with what Anima says, he can hardly be called a spammer.

[GDS_Starfury]

unless we have drones over his house checking his IP.   8)

[Huw the Poo]

unless we have drones over his house checking his IP.   8)

OK, so he might be a sockpuppet...but that still isn't necessarily spamming. :P