Woofhalp a dit :

After months of no updates we get baboum and a crappy shooter that’s been done better by other games. I am really disappointed that this is the best you came up with. A bomberman clone and a 2.d shooter with nothing original. Well done guys, great job on that. Now how about you get back to t-mice where you guys actually do good.

The above thread picked up my interests and unfortunately it was locked as I guess mods would rather have another 'WHATS YOUR FAVORTITE ITEM OMG CUTEE 20/10!!11!1 THREAD' than one of discussion. So I'd like to put in my 2 cents and have further discussions. We all know that Atlier 801 are branching out of just doing TFM, however these games have been disappointing.

The reason in my opinion that TFM has been so successful is originality and something new. Baboom and Forteresse or whatever the hell their called are the exact opposite of that, not original and been done before better. This is hurting TFM as clearly effort, time and resources are put into other games besides TFM.

Views on the future of TFM, whos up for 6 months of no updates on TFM to see an uninspired clone game? How long can items keep being added in before people lose interest?

OMG I'm famous, thanks for quoting my thread! Yeah, I was annoyed they locked my thread, as I was being genuine, and the mod who must have locked it said my thread should be constructive and not just complaining, but surely saying they should focus on T mice is constructive? I guess I could have been a bit more polite though.

Your right, Transormice is a great, unique game, but it will only stay that way and improve, if it's focused upon rather then the other two inferior games. I was so excited when I learnt this was going to become the creators full time jobs, because I thought T-mice would be developed further, but it hasn't too much, leaving me dissapointed. At the moment I'm still hooked, but for how much longer?

Great thread Ew Afer!

Bouboum was fun in till they ruined it with powers, the game was fine before then and was actually enjoyable.

Forteresse is under-developed in my opinion and really shouldn't have been released in it's current state in my opinion.

Transformice isn't really any better, as I feel it's getting to a point where it's a finished game, and even then after a while it gets pretty boring. It's a great game but I don't think there's much else they can do with it unless they push the game's limits entirely.

All in all, with Bouboum and Forteresse already dying in player base it's eventually going to come down to just being Transformice in till most likely they run out of money to pay for servers.

Just my opinion, not really gonna write up anything long just yet.

Shadowwinter a dit :

Bouboum was fun in till they ruined it with powers, the game was fine before then and was actually enjoyable.

I can't say anything about Bouboum - I don't play it - but I have the same feeling about Transformice's shaman skills.

a dit :

Transformice isn't really any better, as I feel it's getting to a point where it's a finished game. It's a great game but I don't think there's much else they can do with it unless they push the game's limits entirely.

True. Unless someone comes up with a really novel idea, they can only add more visual clutter and overpowered skills to it, which does not exactly make the game more attractive.

a dit :

All in all, with Bouboum and Forteresse already dying in player base it's eventually going to come down to just being Transformice in till most likely they run out of money to pay for servers.

According to some posts on Meli's blog, like this one, they are already in financial trouble, so the running out of money scenario doesn't seem too far-fetched...

i think it's pretty clear that atelier 801 is doomed unless they can come up with a NEW product that is not based on any previous ideas that is also just as addicting and interesting as tfm. as well this new game has to be engineered in a way such that they CAN make a profit out of it (tfm was completely free from the start so it is hard to add a lot of monetization without alienating old players, that's how i feel like it is)

also for those who don't know: bouboum and forteresse are just recycles of previous extinction.fr games. and furthermore, they are just flash versions of bomberman multiplayer and team fortress classic, clones of pre-existing games not made by atelier 801.
transformice is a complete reworking of aaah! from extinction.fr, and both were original ideas, which is why it made a difference.

we can only hope celousco will be a turning point for the company in its current state (although from what people have described it as, it's just a duplicate of another game called ragnarok so i don't know how well it'll go)

Ewafer a dit :

The above thread picked up my interests and unfortunately it was locked as I guess mods would rather have another 'WHATS YOUR FAVORTITE ITEM OMG CUTEE 20/10!!11!1 THREAD' than one of discussion

Well the issue was that the OP was incredibly rude about their opinion. A nice discussing about this is fine.

Woofhalp a dit :

OMG I'm famous, thanks for quoting my thread! Yeah, I was annoyed they locked my thread, as I was being genuine, and the mod who must have locked it said my thread should be constructive and not just complaining, but surely saying they should focus on T mice is constructive? I guess I could have been a bit more polite though.

Yeah, your viewpoint wasn't constructive at all. It was all grumpy and "GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER" basically. q:

My thoughts on this: I have to agree, Atelier 801 SARL will be doomed if they don't do something original. HOPEFULLY Celousco will be that original thing. I can't blame Tig for wanting to rework his original games, although they don't bring anything new to the table at all. It'd be nice if Tig brought some of his older games to the table like DeadMeat (which we've only seen screenshots of) and perhaps a reworking of Poisson so it's less like Transformice.

I don't see how they thought a Bomberman clone was what the flash game industry needed.

Fortoresse had some potential: 2d sidescrolling shooters are pretty fun if done well. But not only is the quality of the game poor (really? you couldn't work for an extra week and make the torso a different sprite that would follow the cursor?) there also is very little information on how things work: how you get points & other things. Luckily some people did that on the forums - but not everyone reads these and you shouldn't have to rely on players experimenting just to understand the objective.

They need to rework it entirely: I'd suggest making something like a 2D Ace of Spades: penetrate the enemy base, grab the flag and take it back to yours safely. If the flag holder dies, the flag stays in the place where he died and if no one from his team picks it up (or if the enemy team picks it up) in a certain amount of time the flag returns to the base. Maybe add something like a pickaxe weapon where you can destroy more than one piece of ground at a time and faster.

I'm honestly surprised it took this long for financial shenanigans to crop up given the nature of Fraises and events from last year ect.

As far as I'm aware, TFM is essentially completed, and I can't think of anything else to put into it without going into crazy territory mode (I've already seen everyone suggest the 4th Shaman Skill branch should be Trollish. le sigh.) Only thing I can recommend in there might be to fix some pre-existing bugs that have been around since the stone age, otherwise that about sums it up.

I tried Bouboum a few times, and the controls were so sluggish I couldn't get into it (it caused me to die more then I'd care to admit). Maybe this has been fixed since then, but ultimately it does feel like a Bomberman rip-off. Maybe add different game modes like first one to bomb all the blocks in their section wins as well as much more map variation with silly effects. Beach theme map occasionally has a tidal wave sweep all the bombs to one end of the map and so on.

I think Fortress might still be in Beta, hence all the weird glitching running around but I could be wrong. My main issue is the backrounds looking like I had a migraine on the screen as well as shooting directly behind you without having to turn. If this ISN'T Beta, I suggest cleaning all of that up as well as having a Co-op adventure mode where everyone goes through a dungeon blasting shenanigans and getting loot. (Sounds like TFM again but I was thinking more along the lines of the game Spelunky).

From a business standpoint, having a central website to which all of these games are showcased fancily will help imo. These flash forums can be finicky for a good deal of people, and I understand before I left some of that was definitely underway (Hope that wasn't supposed to be kept secret lol). The only other alternative for the current stuff is to raise the cheese prices for the items and add Fraise prices to the older items (though admittedly that will piss a good deal of people off, and you risk losing more playerbase because of it so I suggest not doing that unless necessary).

I'm not entirely sure but maybe having some kinda deal with Steam to advertise and showcase TFM or whatnot might help with downloadable content (exclusive outfits and accessories). I'm not a business major sadly.

And that turned into a long blarg of a thought bubble. I think if the necessary steps are taken, they should be fine but then I'm not entirely sure how sunk the company is at this point lol.

Anomunus a dit :

i think it's pretty clear that atelier 801 is doomed unless they can come up with a NEW product that is not based on any previous ideas that is also just as addicting and interesting as tfm. as well this new game has to be engineered in a way such that they CAN make a profit out of it (tfm was completely free from the start so it is hard to add a lot of monetization without alienating old players, that's how i feel like it is)

Yes, it's obvious that Transformice is already past its high point and likely won't expand anymore, both content-wise and in the number of players. And Meli said that they are barely able to break even with the money from it. The only money-generating content they can add are purely cosmetical items; an option to buy gameplay advantages would piss off a large part of their playerbase since everything has been free so far.

According to Meli, only 5% of the players buy fraises - which is not surprising, since spending money doesn't give a player any actual advantages. I guess they'd have to raise that number in a new game to make a profit, but that most likely means that players would have to pay for some gameplay aspects.

So they need an amazing and addicting new game that goes viral, like TFM did, and manage to construct it in a way that makes players willing to pay for it.

Good luck with that.

I think its obvious A801 is going to die. Just going off the community stats they havent pulled decent numbers since 2012. Some communties are already dead, a prime example would be the DE community.
The events they're producing are ruining their image also, they know what we don't like about the events but they still refuse to change it. Just going off this recent event most people were glad to see it go, when events should be what drive people to a game.

Cidboy a dit :

The events they're producing are ruining their image also, they know what we don't like about the events but they still refuse to change it. Just going off this recent event most people were glad to see it go, when events should be what drive people to a game.

Sadly this is true. The events are slowly driving mice away rather than making them excited and wanting more! It is terrible if this place is going to die. ;A;) I mean sure Bouboum and that shooter game may not do much...but I can agree with the people seeing they are trying to get every little cent in. They do need something refreshing or else this company will die. >->; I don't know what it could be...but what ever it is I HOPE it will do good rather than bad.

I even try to buy some strawberries to help out...but of course not many mice are buying them like how the other person said only 5% or less mice are buying them. The clothing do nothing in the game and I can see why no one wants to waste money for items...however with out us buying..not much of anything is improving. *sigh* I just wonder what they are going to try.
//also sorry for repeating for what most of you said...I was just agree-ing with you all.

How about fixing ping issues, that'd be cool for a change.

Tobse a dit :

How about fixing ping issues, that'd be cool for a change.

Its actually not even considered an issue unfortunately and theres nothing to fix, thats just how it is, however that would be nice.

Honestly, when i joined tfm i was already dissapointed. A game where you collect cheese and bring it to the hole. i was really unsatisfied. The only thing that kept me was making tribe houses which i got a huge kick out of. I can see Tig is caring less about bug issues, and more players are just leaving. Many servers are turning into one of those neighborhoods that noone wants to jog in at night. Hate saying this, but tfm probably gonna last longer than 2 more years or even less.

In my opinion, the game is very useless and bad to play like TFM ... and tig really care less about that and could outcome to a result of less money to pay servers and etc.... Secondly, bouboum is still enjoyable but laggy much and they really don't care about it and i just can't take anymore when i play and that could result in (-) players
and lastly , fortoresse's design isn't good enough and needs way more things ... i hope the admins read these messages and thank you !

Not sure if you guys knew but Forteresse and Bouboum were old games being revamped. I know that feels unoriginal to all, but i mean if you made a game for fun, exploring of different concept is the likely outcome. like the bombinb and shooting concept.

Also does anyone knew they have an online shop?! I am actually planning to save up just to buy them like holy crap they are adorable
http://www.cafepress.com/profile/51878021
I mean they did all these for us in advance for their marketing, sadly not much explores the content in the Transformice Website.
One reason would probably be the majority users of standalone i guess, just saying.

Oh after reading Shamou and Winged comment, i REALLY think shamou statement is true. Not saying 801 sucks or anything, in fact i really want to thank the company to allow people to make minigames. The minigames might not be too original as well but it entertains us, other than collecting cheese all day and afking. In fact they bond the community (well lets not talk about those immature brats out there)
And even players can make events (rember christmas and new year?)
I mean thats really honourable!

Ideas are hard to think of, is hard to do an original idea, all games are inspired by another work. You cannot just blare out like that. eventually you would lose ideas and it stops you for a moment.
Well i understand the Carnaval one, i thought they learnt their mistake about Shamans, was abit disappointed, but i never go fully disappointed, I just feel i dont need to.
In fact we should worry more of the community, i know is their own style and all but the fact that TFM Community is SO RUDE like every room there has to be more than 2 flamers that i myself do not feel like playing.
like meli said: "I’d rather loose money and have a healthy community than surf on millions."
And guys, out of many companys that earns for money, we have one actually thinking of the community for once.
Money is important i agree, and hopefully they get to pick themselves up but, money isnt the biggest problem now IMO,
i really feel we gotta do something with the community attitude, though i doubtfully admit it is impossible.

I don't know why even they made Bouboum and Fortoresse as new websites, why they didn't just leave bouboum and fortoresse as minigames and concentrated on Transformice,before when i went to fortoresse and bouboum (minigames) the amount of people i can see are 5 in fortoresse and in bouboum 0,well the time tig spent on making fortoresse and bouboum as new websites and to improve them, he should've spent them on Transformice,thinking of contests,new ideas for the events,new shop items etc.....
BECAUSE Transformice is the main game
When meli said we are running in money troubles, and from now on event items will be with fraises that will make the players hate transformice not get get excited for events as Cidboy said alot of people didn't like the carnaval event and i'm one of them, it's because the fun in events is to collect TITLES +++++++ SHOP ITEMS, so the fun of events will be ruined if the event items will be with money, try to think for better ideas for (Transformice) because the amount of players playing transformice are way more than bouboum and fortoresse
transformice:35k
bouboum:709
fortoresse:658
Most of the games i used to play ended after 5 years, since Transformice started in 2011 i'm sure it will end in 2016 unless they make a very good idea to attract people to transformice, and stop ruining the events. Try to think of better ideas for (Transformice)
rather than spending your time on a game that not even 5k of the people play it.

Transformice... looks like it is finished as far as features and is getting dry.
Bouboum... It's fun but it doesn't feel fresh or innovative. It doesn't feel any different than any other bomberman game.
Forteresse, has alot of potential, although I still prefer the old version. I don't really like the way it is set up now. multiplayer side scrolling shooters have been great before, (google soldat for an example) but right now it's basically just point at the enemy and shoot like crazy in order to get some potatoes or whatever the currency is so you can shoot more people with new guns. There doesn't seem any crazy combat strategies or anything. Just shoot everything that moves directly in the face.

Now back to transformice.
I have played this game since early 2011. I remember playing as a guest during the easter even collecting eggs. Those were the days. When I made an account it was crazy fun. Transformice to me means building houses in a private room with friends, playing ratapult snd making anvil forts , playing botmj, listening to music and playing crazy minigames in baffbot. Tribewars with Epic pie, raging at trolls, dancing all around the map, making my first tribe house, bootcamp with friends but failing miserably, room perm, running from vampires during halloween, collecting eggs during easter, and presents during winter, making the dreaded anvil god.

Now transformice means:
Afking
Running to the cheese and back.

For reasons my tribe split up, and we went through about 6 incarnations before everyone quit. I have no friends who log on anymore, most of the things I found fun don't exsist anymore. I can't find any new friends because everyone just runs to the cheese and back. Minigames are dead because they don't give stats. Nobody has any good tribes besides the "Elite few" tribes that were made a long time ago and tend to stay until the end of times, and never recruit, (eg kittens with lasers, a few other I can't remember because I don't play anymore). All tribes are just the "Warrior cats clans" or some clan with badly made tribe house and a badly written greeting message with bad grammar and spelling. All people who share my opinions don't play anymore. Nobody trolls anymore because they will get votebanned and everyone will freak out for no reason. Trolls are people you are supposed to love to hate. when cannons are flying your way, why didn't you jump. Tig made cannons for a reason. If I drop an anvil on your head it's supposed to be funny, not a cruel way to kill you that will ruin your "ratios". People need to lighten up and play this game for fun, not cheese. You don't need every item in the game. If there is an event slow down and enjoy it. You are never going to wear half of it anyway. The memories you can make are alot better than the reindeer horns you receive for getting 1000000 presents.

/end rant.

I think A801 should learn from Valve, the most loved videogame company in the world (and for good reason), and watch their 38 minute long video on in-game economies. It deals with Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2's economies and what they did to maximize their profit and although some of the stuff they did isn't feasible for A801, a lot of it is.

http://youtu.be/RHC-uGDbu7s

One other suggestion I'd add to the ideas given by Valve in this video is maybe have something in the shop only buyable with fraises where you can send a message to the entire server. Games like Maple Story had this and it did pretty well. This could help spread word about minigames or just serve any purpose people feel like it deserves.