If SEGA Gave CA the 'Boot'

Would this actually be a good or bad thing?

Perhaps if they did the next game would be nearer to their roots CA may be, but it could also be a disaster, seeing the complete disintegration of CA.

What do you think?

I think Bruce should sing more and leave comapny politics alone.

ha!

not bloody likley.


They'd easily get another buyer for the franchise anyway.

BTW CA is part of Sega, sega isnt just a publisher.

That would completely depend on who bought CA then or if anyone bought it at all, though I think the latter is unlikely.

A better question would be what would happen if Microsoft Windows went down and all support for Windows was lost.

I mean that'd throw us back to the stone age.

I imagine Paradox buying CA would be a good thing, what with their unrestrained policy on patches (can't really say their on-release game state track record is very good, tho, but neither is CA's) and willingness to do accurate historical games. Too bad Paradox has probably got much less capital than would be required for such a venture.

Originally Posted by Solar

I imagine Paradox buying CA would be a good thing..

That would be great. Get the superior AI work and dedication of Paradox into the eye candy of CA, plus ongoing patching and it would probably be the best Total War ever.

Originally Posted by Humble Warrior

That would be great. Get the superior AI work and dedication of Paradox into the eye candy of CA, plus ongoing patching and it would probably be the best Total War ever.

Well if paradox was publisher of TW games I would buy all DLC's even if it would be new shiny empire desktop icons for 2$ just for showing them my support for how they manage customer relationship. I'm just so devoted to them (off topic:can't wait for Vicky 2 ).

Paradox doesnt have *anywhere* near the capital to buy CA.. CA as a standalone company are probably at the very least 5 times bigger than Paradox (and yet Paradox games are superior in every way except for graphics). That last bit is of course subjective.

To my knowledge, Paradox itself is a small company that caters to a specific hardcore niche that allows it maintain itself (Hell even Paradox relies on DLC content as well).

So no, Paradox wouldn't buy CA because aside from differing markets they lack the resources and it just wouldn't work.

(and yet Paradox games are superior in every way except for graphics

Yes I'm sure risk-style boards are superior to everything.

Originally Posted by nameless

Yes I'm sure risk-style boards are superior to everything.

I can see that you are very up to date on the Paradox catalogue of games

Originally Posted by PlacidDragon

I can see that you are very up to date on the Paradox catalogue of games

Oh right sorry forgot about that crappy game that tried to incorporate naval battles and failed at that.

Originally Posted by nameless

Oh right sorry forgot about that crappy game that tried to incorporate naval battles and failed at that.

erm, would you care to enlighten me as to what game that might be ? Certainly no game i recognize, and i own all of them except for Crusader Kings, and i know you are not referring to that.

Originally Posted by Solar

While I believe Paradox as a company is probably smaller than CA as a dev company, Paradox has been growing as a publisher company, and is actually starting to take steps outside their niche (eg. publishing a console shooter, for one).

Yeah, i know they are growing on the publisher side after taking the reins of that part of business themselves (they also launched Gamersgate, but i believe that company is split from Paradox now ?). I meant their development office though, which has 25 or so employees i think? CA has what, 100 - 150 (not counting Australia, if they still retain that studio) ?

Originally Posted by Solar

Paradox-developed games and Paradox-published games are two different things.. Their in-house games (Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron) tend to be very deep and satisfying - if often buggy at release time.

Buggy is generally a serious understatement when it comes to Paradox games, hehe. However, unlike most of the industry, they keep improving it for years after release. Thats why i've never hesitated to buy a Paradox game at release. As long as you know what you are getting yourself into in regards to bugs at release, their games are..well.. beyond awesome

Originally Posted by Solar

If SEGA is the reason for them to be missing these two qualities..

They are not. Granted, im sure SEGA (or any other publisher) isnt exactly helping, but CA has never been what i'd call industry leading in that department

Originally Posted by PlacidDragon

Paradox doesnt have *anywhere* near the capital to buy CA.. CA as a standalone company are probably at the very least 5 times bigger than Paradox (and yet Paradox games are superior in every way except for graphics). That last bit is of course subjective.

While I believe Paradox as a company is probably smaller than CA as a dev company, Paradox has been growing as a publisher company, and is actually starting to take steps outside their niche (eg. publishing a console shooter, for one).

Oh right sorry forgot about that crappy game that tried to incorporate naval battles and failed at that.

Paradox-developed games and Paradox-published games are two different things.. Their in-house games (Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron) tend to be very deep and satisfying - if often buggy at release time. Overall, they have two main qualities which I believe are missing in CA:

a) Commitment to improving their games, fixing through several patches and enlarging through expansions.
b) Deep respect and strong communication with their community, taking suggestions to improve their games and providing great support for the modders.

If SEGA is the reason for them to be missing these two qualities, I suppose it'd be best for CA and for us, the fans, for them to break free asap. Where to? Who knows.

Now, I'm not saying that Paradox Interactive is a perfect game company, they've made their share of mistakes (Hearts of Iron 3 is still a very problematic game), but they're one of the best working in the PC dev world, IMHO. Valve and Blizzard spring to mind as two other examples of dedication and talent to be mirrored by other devs.

And I'm by no means saying CA is a bad company, I love their games, the company is just... frustrating to depend on, more often than not. Whether this is their fault or their publisher's, should be of little concern to the players who just want (and deserve) a deep, engaging, and especially bug-free experience.

Worst case scenario (if they were totally dissolved, not sold) they'd form a new company consisting of most of the old members and produce Total Warish games with a different title.

Originally Posted by Graphic

Worst case scenario (if they were totally dissolved, not sold) they'd form a new company consisting of most of the old members and produce Total Warish games with a different title.

Yeah, if for whatever reason the company should be dissolved (dont see that as likely), most would probably just form a new company and continue "as usual".

CA can not break free. As far as I know they are owned by SEGA.

I don't think it would make a difference. I guarantee Sega didn't tell CA not to communicate with its paying customers for basically months.

If CA had a sense of pride, they would work a little overtime to polish this game as much as it could be. Not saying they don't work long hours now, buts some small things that are left unattended seem like they would be a pretty simple fix.

I just get the impression that blaming Sega may be the easy way out. Even if it was Sega's culture to ignore the community. CA sure seems to have bought into it....Lock, stock, and barrel.

I know this would never happen, but personally I think CA should give SEGA the boot and get a much smaller, more specialised publisher that will give them more freedom to go their own way. SEGA have turned the TW series into a mass market, dumed down, benemouth, and it has ruined the series in my opinion. Lets get back to the TW of old, a serious game for serious gamers.

Originally Posted by jimmy44

I know this would never happen, but personally I think CA should give SEGA the boot and get a much smaller, more specialised publisher that will give them more freedom to go their own way. SEGA have turned the TW series into a mass market, dumed down, benemouth, and it has ruined the series in my opinion. Lets get back to the TW of old, a serious game for serious gamers.

TW is designed to be a casual game and will never be a serious game. Compare Rome TW to AOE3, then comare ETW to DOW2. Which do you think is for the more hardcore?