Frontier Developments Share Discussion Threads

[hellohello100] 04/5/2019 15:11

Is it really only about hardware specs though? This my own personal opinion but, for the people who have access to a computer that can run the game, why would you play it on a console? The controls would be vastly inferior to a keyboard and mouse. an inferior control system will just make the experience worse and I can't help but think how having Planet C or ZC on the console will just give it more negative press/reviews than if it was just exclusive to PC.

This is obviously a personal gaming perspective and many others may not feel the same way I do.

[mark4231] 04/5/2019 14:36

I speculate that we will see Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo on the next generation of consoles.

[endion] 04/5/2019 14:11

The cobra engine that PlanCo and PlanZoo (as people are calling them now :p) run on is capable of working on consoles. The thing that holds it back is processing power and memory. Consoles just cant compete with PC's in this regard. Its one of the reasons JWE wasnt like PlanCo and didnt have the vast customizeability options available, the consoles wouldnt hack it.

So they are preferring to make the game better by keeping it to PC only, which is a long term smart move. As consoles may one day catch up and be able to run these games.

[rar100] 04/5/2019 10:26

From the comments posted here, and thank you all for your thoughts, I do notice a theme that FDEV needs to be careful not to 'blow it' with an unsuitable game, of course that's wise thinking and I don't want them to that either as I'm down circa 50% now. But it's the fear and lack of confidence in the Co. that they just might 'blow it' and so they must stay safe, that is a bit un-nerving.
Again it gives me no confidence. You highlight the faults...
I'd like to see FDEV do much more in issuing (good)news to the market which imho they fail misserably to do, almost as if they don't want a high profile.
Anyway I'll just hold and frankly try to forget about FDEV and just hope the situation improves.
As hellohello100 says (below)

For now I'm okay with the strategy, but in the future I would hope the company has the drive and ambition to make or at least attempt a blockbuster OR something different.

Pull out the stops, brainstorm and stop being a mediocre go-slow Co., hire better game designers, do what it takes, eat humble pie and DO BETTER.

Good luck to all (especially FDEV - they really need it)just my opinion.

[hellohello100] 04/5/2019 09:19

"Strong position in the Chinese market", if it was strong it would already be a material contributor...

Getting back to the serious discussion about the games. I agree with most of your points Mark. At this current moment in time Fdev should focus on their strengths and build a portfolio of games that are "safe" and relatively moderate in development costs. There is no sense in rocking the boat at this early stage and risk developing a flop. I personally like the Planet Zoo announcement and agree with what you said in regards to reusing assets, taking on feedback from PC and JW to polish this one etc.

However, I would be disappointed if by year 7/8 FDEV have not taken any risks and kept it safe by just churning out sims and sequels like PC2 PZ2 JW2. It's like you said, there are plenty of "odd" games that sell very well. Theres no reason reason why FDEV can't develop them. It doesn't have to be a AAA FPS game. I just want evidence that they are prepared and have the ability to develop different genres and can adapt to the ever changing nature of gaming market.

For now I'm okay with the strategy, but in the future I would hope the company has the drive and ambition to make or at least attempt a blockbuster OR something different.

[tallprawn] 04/5/2019 07:40

Nice write up that - Lots of detail spelling out why this is such a good opportunity for new investors.

The gaming market in China is massive. I get to Beijing and Shanghai reasonably often and see their huge gaming cafes which are constantly full.

FDEV’s strong position in the Chinese market is one of the key reasons I’m here - It will be a material contributor over the next 1-2 years.

GL All.

[nw99] 04/5/2019 06:16

Going to be a big up day Tuesday

[brokenbuckles] 03/5/2019 19:08

Tbh I think you own the shares when people arnt all hyped up about the future pipeline of games... and you probably sell it when lots of fast money comes in an chases an exciting game (sorry this applies to you and JWE). To be honest i am in at c. 10 quid. Neither up nor down.

[rar100] 03/5/2019 18:20

I wouldn't be impressed by a J bond either, but something new would be good, if they stay in a very tight niche then they risk being 'samey' - perhaps (I'm not a gamer and bought in on JWE as I thought it a good film and they stood a good chance of capitalising with the game) which I think has happened, but not so sure of sales now. I bought at the wrong time and the share price has tanked circa 50%, I still hold the shares, but dearly wish for something exciting to happen. It just doesn't seem to, and doesn't move the market.
Your comments don't inspire me with any more confidence either but appreciate the honesty.

I think most people on this BB bought in a long time ago and so have their profit, I hope that happens to me before the big game in the sky!

Good luck brockenbuckles anyway.

[brokenbuckles] 03/5/2019 17:54

p.s. you are thinking about upside case and excitment that might come from a completely left field game, but you should also think about the downside if they warn the game has flopped and they are impairing development spend and earnings are tanking... would be horrific.

[brokenbuckles] 03/5/2019 17:51

I would probably sell all my shares if they tried to do a first person shooter. 1) its a well served market already, 2) their development budget is a fraction of what is needed to make a good fps, and 3) they have no experience in this area whatsoever. You might think it might be exciting but the chances of them making a success of it is so small. Personally i hope they stick to simulation games and strategy games.

[rar100] 03/5/2019 17:25

I don't take pleasure on raining on parades, but Planet ZOO is disappointing to me, sounds too much like JWE.......more animals.

I was hoping for something completely different, there was some chat re: James Bond, at least it would be 'new'

To me more animals is more animals..

[nw99] 03/5/2019 15:14

Indeed looks like we are poised for take off

[tallprawn] 03/5/2019 13:14

SCSW mentioned last month there would be a further update given on FDEV in the next edition which is out tomorrow.Could be an interesting day on Tuesday.

[endion] 02/5/2019 14:23

Thats 2 and a half years after launch too. Not bad.

[shanklin] 02/5/2019 12:49

I see PC is 100 on the global list currently.

[shanklin] 02/5/2019 12:37

YH and Mark4321, Thank you for the links

YH, Given I have never deliberately entered any preferences, any idea how they would have been set? Also, was I just looking at UK best sellers or what?

Mark, looks a good way to view sales over time.

[mark4231] 02/5/2019 11:24

gamevizz is a great site to see ranking on Steam over time and you can see the recent change there.

hxxps://www.gamevizz.com/63/

[yankhanson] 02/5/2019 11:18

Shanklin, there's been no significant change in Planet Coaster sales. That URL you gave is filtering on your preferences and locality. The unfiltered chart places the game quite a bit lower. Average around #180 (page 7) last week.

Beware a message like "745 titles have been excluded based on your preferences". For the true results, use this URL hxxps://store.steampowered.com/search/?filter=globaltopsellers&ignore_preferences=1

[endion] 02/5/2019 10:20

A lot of the promoters of planet zoo online on youtube etc are fans of planet coaster, usually doing weekly vids of gameplay. The audience being drawn in due to planet zoo may be noticing PlanCo via them.

[mark4231] 02/5/2019 10:11

I've also noticed that Planet Coaster seems to have been recently selling better than normal at its full price. Perhaps it is some sort of halo effect from the announcement of the forthcoming Planet Zoo.

The only thing that has happened directly with Planet Coaster recently is the launch of the Classic Rides Collection DLC and a free update with a new ride and some fixes including performance improvements.

[shanklin] 02/5/2019 09:42

Is anything happening on the Planetcoaster front please?

For no particular reason that I can see, its been between Pages 2 and 4 on the Steam best sellers list all week, currently page 4, with a couple of the Rides collections lower down.

[nw99] 02/5/2019 07:06

I am saying there is a chance of one nobody knows till the SCSW is published