+Andrew Davie Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 This is a hypothetical only, so don't read anything into it. I'm just curious. Having promised buyers of the original Boulder Dash (2600) that it would not be re-released, ever, I am curious what it would take to in some way get the game in one form or another into more peoples' hands. If every single BD owner said "yeah, no problem" well there's obviously no problem with a re-release. Tracking them down would be next to impossible though, so how would you even go about this. Set a time limit for reponses? If a single BD owner said "no way" that would scuttle the idea. Just out of curiosity any BD owners reading this who would say "NO!" (and that's perfectly OK!!!). Just takes one. Just what options are there, with a minimal rewrite of code and of course getting permission from the new owners of the IP? I can think of... * buy back all the original BD carts so there's no problem with a re-release :) * release the original in a basic "el cheapo" form, no nice manual, box... just a cart and instructions. AND permission from every single BD owner. * use same code, but replace all the levels with new ones. again, a basic cart/instructions for release as cheap as possible. * do a rewrite with DPC+ or whatever suits, and make it a new code-base (in which case a v2 of BD would be reasonable). Any other suggestions as to how to fairly, and honourably make something happen? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 It would be nice to make more copies of Boulder Dash available, as it's something I get asked about periodically. I still have a TON of manuals and posters for the game, so I wouldn't need to get those reprinted. I would have to print more boxes, and i would prefer to sell it with a box (or at least as an optional box). I wouldn't want the game altered in any way. However, it would be fun to do Boulder Dash II using the same engine, and that could be done regardless of what happens with the original Boulder Dash. And it would be fun to see other games developed using that engine, since you and Thomas did such a tremendous job with it. ..Al 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I'm fine with more copies being made. Boulder Dash II seems to be a good solution if somebody doesn't agree, do a manual insert for the original manual to document whatever's different. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I'd be down for a basic bare bones release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
high voltage Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Fine with me. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambouis de l'Atari Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I'd prefer something visually different of the first run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 On one hand I'm the last person to be concerned about upsetting collectors. On the other hand a promise of "Limited Edition" was made and now it will be broken. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 On one hand I'm the last person to be concerned about upsetting collectors. On the other hand a promise of "Limited Edition" was made and now it will be broken. Yeah, this is why I rarely do releases like this, as I don't like having my hands tied. My goal is generally to make games available indefinitely, I don't like creating artificial rarities, and I don't really care that much about the "collecting" aspect of the hobby regarding homebrew games. I want people to be able to enjoy the games. ..Al 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 On the other hand a promise of "Limited Edition" was made and now it will be broken. The difference to the usual "Limited Edition" was, that we had to do so due to legal obligations. This was never meant to create artificial rarity. And it took one whole year to sell. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 (edited) I'm fine with a re-release. The "Limited Edition" will still always be a "Limited Edition". Just mark the new one in a way that differentiates it. This has happened with other homebrews that have had "Limited Editions" (special packaging, etc) but then had standard releases. For that matter, it's a pretty common practice across a lot of products that come out with "Limited Editions". Of the options Andrew listed, my preference would be to see a DPC+ (or whatever ) re-write of either BD or BD II, because I'd love to see the game with further enhancements, for example: smoother scrolling. I probably should write a review of it someday... Edited March 14, 2019 by Nathan Strum 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Isn't the tradition to make a Gold or Greatest Hits edition with different packaging, maybe an extra level or feature, and a lower price? It's nice that you care about the early adopters, though. Did anyone buy the original thinking it would make them rich or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+groundtrooper Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 As a secondary owner, I am happy to finally have one in my collection, I did pay a nice chunk of change for mine so the original owner had some nice appreciation on his original purchase. I suppose I wouldn't have a problem with a stripped down general release, although like others have stated something a little bit more different would be fairer to the Limited Edition owners. Curious to see what happens with this possibility. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killersquirel Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I own one, and would not have a problem with another release. I like the idea of having the updated release be different than the original. Such as different packaging or different levels like a Boulderdash II game. You all did an amazing job on it and it really needs to be in more hands. Thanks for making this in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I have no problem with a re-release. Other collectibles do this all of the time. It should be specified as a re-issue and they should be some difference in the packaging. Beyond that, I can't see a problem. I would buy a couple of the re-release, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanJr Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Could you do something in the code to indicate that this is not the original? Is there a title screen that could be altered to say "Boulder Dash MR" for Mass Release Edition or something, so that the original could never be mistaken for the ones sold to everyone? Would that be fair? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I am sure we would definitely alter the ROM and the packaging. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I am sure we would definitely alter the ROM and the packaging. This would be good enough for me. Like groundtrooper, I'm a secondary owner and would be fine with a re-issue as long as the ROM and or packaging reflect that its a re-issue. This game is quite an achievement and should be made available to the masses if possible. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killersquirel Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I am sure we would definitely alter the ROM and the packaging. Then do it up! More people need to be able to play this awesome game. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 How about use the same engine but change the graphics and make new boards. Come up with a different name and you don't have to worry about anything. People would be very happy with that I bet. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionoid Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I joined AtariAge just over a year ago, so way too late to be able to buy a copy of Boulderdash. And I never saw one on eBay so far. A re-release would be really great. Even a hypothetical re-release makes me happy :-) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Yeah, good games are for playing. No reason not to let everyone play it that wants to buy it!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdugnate Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 i would totally be down with a re-release of BoulderDash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imstarryeyed Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 I would love to see the game re-released with a new splash screen or an added level but not replacing the original levels as they are timeless. I missed the chance to get this game as always hoped one day there was a legal way to do another print run or version. I really like the idea mentioned about using a newer DPC+ for smoother scrolling, as it will really feel like a greatest hits version then. I had heard that a new contract would have to be negotiated by someone with First Star and a minimum number of copies would have to be negotiated. I would hope that if people knew "Hey people this is going to be your only chance to get this game from this point on." I would have to imagine there would be enough interest to fulfill any contract, but that is just a guess. This is the type of game that I am sure as more people discover as they become classic game enthusiasts, they will want.. If there is a chance of a new run, I am definitely in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 I would love to see the game re-released with a new splash screen or an added level but not replacing the original levels as they are timeless. I missed the chance to get this game as always hoped one day there was a legal way to do another print run or version. I really like the idea mentioned about using a newer DPC+ for smoother scrolling, as it will really feel like a greatest hits version then. I had heard that a new contract would have to be negotiated by someone with First Star and a minimum number of copies would have to be negotiated. I would hope that if people knew "Hey people this is going to be your only chance to get this game from this point on." I would have to imagine there would be enough interest to fulfill any contract, but that is just a guess. This is the type of game that I am sure as more people discover as they become classic game enthusiasts, they will want.. If there is a chance of a new run, I am definitely in. I am not really interested in any more deals for "limited runs". We didn't want it for the game in the first place, but it was the only way I could get negotiations to proceed and get anything released at all. Now that First Star is no longer the IP holder, I am hoping that the new owner will be more open to a cheaper and more accessible (i.e., not limited) version of the game in some form or another. I like the idea of a new title screen, perhaps new graphics and colours (fixing Thomas's preferred 'dark colours' to something a bit 'nicer', for example ). I definitely wouldn't be interested in "cheapening" the original release by re-releasing the manual or using that beautiful artwork again (sorry, Albert!). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 I am not really interested in any more deals for "limited runs". We didn't want it for the game in the first place, but it was the only way I could get negotiations to proceed and get anything released at all. Now that First Star is no longer the IP holder, I am hoping that the new owner will be more open to a cheaper and more accessible (i.e., not limited) version of the game in some form or another. I like the idea of a new title screen, perhaps new graphics and colours (fixing Thomas's preferred 'dark colours' to something a bit 'nicer', for example ). I definitely wouldn't be interested in "cheapening" the original release by re-releasing the manual or using that beautiful artwork again (sorry, Albert!). I am sure the German company, who now owns it, would be willing to make a deal (easier than before). $0.02 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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