Magical Game Factory Official Thread

[xelement5x]

For posterity from my email:

In less than 12 hours we'll be announcing our fantastic, super exciting and extra shiny new project: The Factory.

What is this factory you ask? Is it illicit? Are we manufacturing something made out of people? Yes! But more honestly, no! The Factory is our unique fundraising and collaboration system that will allow fans of our games to decide exactly what we should make and contribute openly to the project while it’s in development.

Remember those Gems you got when you first signed up on our new website? Those Gems will be the fuel that runs the whole machine. Basically, you can purchase and earn gems through the Magical Game Factory website. Those Gems can, in turn, be invested into any number of projects we have in development or are proposing. If you become an “investor” in a particular project you’ll be consulted on the game’s development, have your feedback heard and incorporated into the design and get investor exclusive offers. The more you’ve invested in the project, the more your opinion is weighed and the louder your voice is.

But there's more to the factory than just investing Gems and providing your opinion. If you invest enough Gems in a project, they'll get converted into a pre-order of the game you're helping to build. Didn't invest enough Gems to grant you a pre-order? No problem! Invested Gems will convert into an investor's discount when you order your game. And the benefits don't end here: Similar to the pre-orders fund that drove the development of Pier Solar, investing in a project will guarantee you not just a copy of the game, but also a special investor version. Think of the Posterity Edition of Pier Solar, only cooler!

One thing we learned during Pier Solar’s development was that the community that we’ve developed is an irreplaceable part of Watermelon. You guys were instrumental in finishing that game and making it a great RPG. We want to involve you guys even more in development and make sure that all the great old-school games that you want to play will get made at the level of quality you expect. These are your games, and you’ll be able to tell us exactly what you want to see and play. Want a shoot ‘em up with RPG elements? Let us know, and invest! Want an oldschool brawler where all player characters are mutated lobsters with attitude? We are at your back and will answer your call. Want a controversial dating sim where users can do all manner of naughty things with cans of whip cream? We’ll do it!

Grudgingly… but we’ll do it.

So that’s that. Head on over to the Magical Game Factory website and have a look around. Get involved and get ready. Pier Solar was just the beginning!

Thank you for all your past and future support,

Your friends at Watermelon

WATERMELON TEAM

Seems like it'll be really cool to see how this progresses.


Edit: Second email has been sent out!

Thanks to you the game factory is running at full steam.

It was a close race, but the first poll is now finished. The winner is: Mega Drive/Genesis. If your favorite platform didn't win the poll, don't cry just yet: the primary platform is where we focus our development but there will be ports to other platforms as well. More announcements are coming soon.

Now it's time to move on to the next questions that will define the game genre and style.

Head over to the http://www.magicalgamefactory.com and cast your vote. There's a fresh new poll waiting for you.

Together we'll make an awesome future for game lovers around the world.

WATERMELON TEAM

Next up, what will the genre be?! Currently it is tied between DATING (67%) and RACING (67%)!

[Joe Redifer]

The hell is this? Just make games and if they look good, I'll buy them. I absolutely do not like promotions of any kind. My interest just sunk, to be honest.

[The Jackal]

I was given 50 'gems' when I ordered Pier Solar, yet I could not redeem on the site to get the $5 discount; was anyone able to work that out and get their's?

[eddiespruce]

When I preordered the OST, I checked the box(or circle, I can't remember) that let me use the 50 Gems for the $5 discount.

[The Jackal]

When I preordered the OST, I checked the box(or circle, I can't remember) that let me use the 50 Gems for the $5 discount.

I don't remember seeing anything like that, must of added it after I ordered (or I missed it, knowing stupid old me). Anyway, thank you for letting me know.

[Joe Redifer]

So are they called Magical Game Factory now or Watermelon? Also, why no link to their site? Also just because someone has the most money doesn't mean they have the best ideas for a game. The entire premise is flawed.

[SEGAretro]

So are they called Magical Game Factory now or Watermelon?

It's still "Water Melon" ... but the website is called "Water Melon's Magical Game Factory"

Also just because someone has the most money doesn't mean they have the best ideas for a game. The entire premise is flawed.

As far as I can see you can vote for:

• Platform
• Cartridge Size
• Genre

That's the only input investors (currently) have on the game, or am I missing something?

[Joe Redifer]

Yes.

you’ll be able to tell us exactly what you want to see and play. Want a shoot ‘em up with RPG elements? Let us know, and invest! Want an oldschool brawler where all player characters are mutated lobsters with attitude? We are at your back and will answer your call. Want a controversial dating sim where users can do all manner of naughty things with cans of whip cream? We’ll do it!

Why should cartridge size be voted on? Just use what the game needs otherwise they'll be left to fill up space with superfluous material.

[Barone]

Also just because someone has the most money doesn't mean they have the best ideas for a game. The entire premise is flawed.

This.
If it is exactly like the e-mail describes... Sorry, but it sounds like a dick move.


By the way, my guess is that we will only see releases for weebos from now on, 'cause I can't think about more selfish and crazy types; people that would drop a lot of money to see some new stupid hentai stuff like dating sims...

[Bramsworth]

I'm guessing(hoping) that part of the email was just an exaggeration of the power an individual investor would have. Surely that would completely destroy any sort of balance if any certain individuals that were not an actual dev member had that much power with the direction a game would go. Then again, I can't imagine there being many retro gamers here continuously giving them hundreds upon hundreds of dollars.

I hope this gets cleared up more soon. I'll remain skeptical for now before outright assuming they didn't think ahead about all the ways this can go wrong.

[Barone]

I'm guessing(hoping)

I'm praying...

[SpaceFlea]

I'm totally droppin' a G for the ultimate hentai brawler shoot 'em up. I'm takin' this cross-over for a ride, and not gettin' off.

[eddiespruce]

I'm totally droppin' a G for the ultimate hentai brawler shoot 'em up. I'm takin' this cross-over for a ride, and not gettin' off.

Juts as long as it doesn't have any Digital comic/dating sim/graphic adventure crap in it, I'll be fine.

[QuickSciFi]

I was given 50 'gems' when I ordered Pier Solar, yet I could not redeem on the site to get the $5 discount; was anyone able to work that out and get their's?

I looked everywhere for it when I ordered also. Apparently we missed it. They said we can still use it, but I've already ordered everything there's to order. I doubt it'll be any time in the foreseeable future.

[SpaceFlea]

Juts as long as it doesn't have any Digital comic/dating sim/graphic adventure crap in it, I'll be fine.

You play as an adolescent boy who must correctly navigate a series of questions from opposing female pilots in order to defeat them in a dogfight and see their boobs. Then, once grounded, you must fight homoerotic fantasy creatures in order to date the women at the end of the level.