🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <93019.103913SML108@psuvm.psu.edu> <SML108@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>I have the $5000 to invest.  However, after hearing Stephen Landrum's
>stories of being financially screwed over by Atari I think I'll pass
>and use the money to buy a computer and develop on it instead...

Other people may have posted to say that they have been screwed, but I
have not.

While I have never liked Atari Corp. as run by the Tramiel's, I have
not worked directly for them, and they have never screwed me personally.

Atari did stop paying Epyx for a long time, and even tried to sue Epyx
for breach of contract after stopping payment.  The lawsuit has been
settled by the way, and Atari will have to pay Epyx what it owes them,
and Epyx' connection to the Lynx will be finally severed.

Many people that I know that have worked for Atari have disliked it
immensely, but a couple people that I know did OK by them.  The main
rule for dealing with Atari is to always have one more thing that they
need from you so you can withhold it until they pay you for everything
else you have done for them.  If you don't mind operating at that level,
go for it.

BTW, although Atari may pay something like a 15% royalty for a game,
that will amount to less than $1/cart.  The 15% is not from retail
price, but most likely from Atari's net profit, however that is figured.
Also consider that most games take 2 to 3 man-years of development time
when you include all of the programming, sound and art time.  Some
games like Ms. PacMan and Shanghai of course take considerably less
time.
-- 
Stephen H. Landrum                                        VOICE: (415) 813-8909
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