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2022-08-26
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REAL PROGRAMS WANTED
by Dave Moorman
At the Chicago EXpo Robin Harbron
shared a very good idea with me.
LOADSTAR has been, for 226 issues, the
place for Premier Software. OK, over
the last year or so, we have brought
at least one or two new pieces, some
cracked versions of boxed software
from way back when, and LOADSTAR
reruns.
Our problem is that the
subscription base just continues to
dwindle. In a year or so, we may have
to publish the Final Issue. New
software is also drying up. I
understand. I remember writing a
program and finding it awfully hard to
finish up the piece because the money
just wasn't there.
How can we encourage serious work?
That was Robin's question -- and he
had an idea.
"What if LOADSTAR searches for
excellent new software -- games and
puzzles -- with depth and style. Then,
rather than publish the whole thing,
run a demo -- something that would
encourage people to pay $10-$12 or so
for the whole program. Then, out of
the sale of whole programs, pay the
author a nice commission."
"OK," I replied, "Let's say it's a
a game with 20 levels -- sharply
executed. The programmer also puts
together a short version -- two or
three levels. We run the short version
-- and build up a catalog of full-
featured games."
"Exactly," Robin replied. "Maybe
it's a graphics/text adventure -- with
a prologue plot that ends in a
cliff-hanger. Or a 3-D dungeon with
eight of the hundred rooms. Enough to
show off and make the player want
more."
So it shall be! Even more so --
because LOADSTAR will offer a $100
advance for chosen programs. The full
version will be offered for $12 -- and
after the first ten sales, the
programmer will receive $8 per sale.
Think of it this way -- $100 up
front. Sell 60 copies, and you will
get $400 more -- for a total of $500
-- which is the most LOADSTAR ever
paid, even in its heyday.
To top it off, published
programmers will have the right to
copy the issue in which their demo
version appears and send it to
everyone they know! Put a link to
LOADSTAR's marketing page on your own
web site. The more you promote, the
more you could make.
Like I said, LOADSTAR needs a
breath of fresh air. We're dedicated
to going for broke before we just go
broke!
By the way -- we will NOT sell an
issue of LOADSTAR we can't publish. If
we reach a critical point, we will
tell you. LOADSTAR might be late --
but it will nevertheless continue to
BE!
Thanks for your support!
DMM