Games Wanted!

[Alchemygames]

Hi Indiegamers!

We are a UK-based games publisher looking to secure new games projects for publishing. We are able to work on many levels (retail, online, territory only, exclusive, non-exclusive), and are ready to negotiate on any promising titles. We are happy to consider submissions from any location (not just the UK).

Please note that we are only currently assessing completed or near-completed projects only.

Details of how to submit can be found on our website at www.alchemygames.net . If you would like further information, please feel free to email me, and I will answer any questions as best I can.

Thanks,

Dave Bird
Partner
Alchemy Games
info@alchemygames.net

[MirekCz]

ehh.. flash www page? Won't do for me :)
I didn't install flash because of all the strange flash ads and shits... I'm a happy person :)

[Cartman]

I don't know what it is about that web site, but it gives me the "willies". <shudder>

[papillon]

You *really* need to make a non-flash version of your content. Flash for navigation is just mildly annoying, but requiring that people write to a postal address that they can't copy and paste because it's in the flash...

[Jack Norton]

I'd suggest to redesign completely the website from scratch deleting that crap flash thing...
Also I'd be interested in knowing which games you have already licensed.

[Alchemygames]

Thanks for your feedback:

For people without FLASH, here is the address to submit to:

Alchemy Games
Unit 15,
Rosehill Business Centre,
Normanton Road,
Derby
DE23 6RH
UK

Basically, we ask you to submit absolutely anthing you can to support your submission.

I hope this helps!

Dave Bird
Alchemy Games
www.alchemygames.net
info@alchemygames.net

[Bluecat]

I've got to ask, and please don't take this the wrong way.

Why should we write to you?

You don't seem to have published any games yet (coming from someone who is working on his first! ;) ,) and there don't appear to be any details on your site about what you are offering an interested developer. There's no info on royalty rates, your affiliates, the size of your team, who is on your team. You mention your extensive experience but have nothing on your website to back it up. You mention a global distribution network. Can you tell us about that?

Can you tell us what you can do for us? :)

[David York]

This games scene I think responds well to bright colors. Your website is very dark and muted. The background maching humming is annoying. Thanks for your interest in us, et all. Don't misunderstand - we're not dismissing you by any means. Rather, since the website is the primary means of distribution and sales for indie game titles, we're all likely to care a lot about the website.

Welcome to the community!

[Alchemygames]

<Jack Norton>

Thanks for the advice Jack.

We are currently finalising details with two developers (interestingly, one is a sports management game, having seen your UBM game), so the honest answer is that we are seeking our initial projects. However, we have been primarily a games distributor in the UK (we distribute most of the major games publishers worldwide), and involved in the retail/distribution industry since 1996.

We think that our experience in the industry and of dealing with publishers/distributors/retailers on a daily basis will give us the necessary experience to offer an efficient publishing service.

We are looking to focus on one or two projects at a time and give full devotion to them, with an emphasis on communication with our developers.

I hope this helps,

Dave Bird
Alchemy Games
www.alchemygames.net
info@alchemygames.net

[Alchemygames]

<Bluecat>

Thank you for your response.

Well, the advantage we have over some other publishers is that, from our roots in distribution, we already have in place a substantial account base of national retailers, independent retailers, and other distributors on a global basis. I cannot disclose the actual companies that we deal with, but i can confidently say that if its a UK retailer for example, chances are that we already deal with them. In addition, we know how things sell, where they sell, and how to sell them in quantity.

We are a very small team, with probably 3-4 people working on the publishing side at any one time. Again, we feel that this allows us to provide a more personal service, and holds us directly accountable. We have resisted growing unnecesarily at distribution/retail as we have felt that this could affect our service.

In short, we can give projects focus without some of the pressures that larger publishers may insist on.

I am not able to discuss financing as this would depend on the project.

<David York>

Thank you for the welcome :)

Dave Bird
Alchemy Games
www.alchemygames.net
info@alchemygames.net

[Gilzu]

Here we discuss business related topics such as Sales, Serving customers, Marketing, Publishing, Legal issues, Search engines, Download sites and Web hosting.

1. Before posting: Check whether your post fits the subject guidelines as described above and use the forum search option to check whether this subject had been discussed before. Posting here means you want to discuss a business aspect or to show interest in one you aren't familiar with. Write a meaningful title and be descriptive about what you want to discuss and what kind of replies you expect to receive.


Should've read the FAQ

Posting here means you want to discuss a business aspect or to show interest in one you aren't familiar with not publishing your business (Services for hire forum) or asking for feedback (News & feedback) which is completly fine if you do it in the appropriate forum.

[robleong]

Just one aspect puzzles me - why do you insist on snail mail in this day and age? You'll probably get many more submissions if you allow emails and internet links. Good luck.

[cliffski]

I agree. Im quite interested, being a UK developer with a good quality title (Starship Tycoon (http://www.starshiptycoon.com)) which is already in stores in the US and Russia...
But why would you refuse email?
like most here, I'm very very busy. If you insist on me having to go buy a jiffy bag, burn a CD, print a letter, walk to the post office....
I'll probably not get around to it. Even though Im probably exactly the kind of developer you want.

And having music on a website should be the eight deadly sin. If I want to listen to music I'll put an MP3 on. If i go to your site, Im looking for a business deal, not music ;)

[Alchemygames]

:o

Thanks for the feedback guys.

We have decided to accept submissions by email as well as through the post, and have altered the website accordingly.

If you have anything you would like to send through, please feel free and ALL submissions will receive a reply.

Thank you

[alfie]

This site is not working for me either, is it still in flash?

Alfie

[Alchemygames]

<Alfie>

Yes it is still in Flash. We are awaiting an entirely new site, as this was a bit of a temporary measure, (that's what they all say!), but if you need to contact me please use the email address in signature.

Thanks,

[princec]

Hi Dave, Alien Flux (http://www.puppygames.net/downloads/SetupAlienFluxDemo.exe) is yours for $50k.

Cas :)

[Yuriy O]

:o

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Thank you

Don't get me wrong, but it dont look like you guys have experience in the area. It's like more you look like a novice publisher learning aspects through this forum.

[Reactor]

I disagree Yuriy. From what I've seen Dave has provided a very professional level of conduct when receiving suggestions, which raises Alchemygames above the title of 'inexperienced forum hangers'. Even if they are inexperienced, if they keep conducting themselves as Dave has managed to, I think they'll do very well in the future.

[Alchemygames]

<Yuriy O>

I thank you for your comments and interest.

It is interesting that some indie developers have the opinion that publishers rarely respond to requests, don't have the manners to reply to submissions, or are generally dishonest or somehow unpleasant in some way.

We are a company that prides itself on being polite (in the right places.. like a public forum) and this is refleced in th success of the services that we have provided to the industry over the years.

As I have already stated, we are new to 'pure' publishing, although many of our distribution services overlap, and a very similar infastructure is required for both ventures. We are tried and tested in this. We are certainly not new to the industry, as some on here will probably know.

We will be at ECTS/EGN later this week, and will even go as far to say that anybody who would like to talk to me is welcome to do so.

I can't say fairer than that! :)

[Jack Norton]

It is interesting that some indie developers have the opinion that publishers rarely respond to requests, don't have the manners to reply to submissions, or are generally dishonest or somehow unpleasant in some way.
Hehe... you should consider that this couldn't be simply an opinion but they have learnt it the hard way :) or you think that only because you're honest, all other publishers are? :D

Same thing for us developers. Some are nice, polite, serious. Others are like me ! :) haha LOL

[Andy]

Guys,

Let that "alchemists" to do their business. :D
Don't attack them any more. I suppose they are not the worst from all that "Hey, I'm publsiher from now" we got here and at Dexterity - they are adaptive, they listen to your requests. Site? - Yes, it's stupid but I like it (looks like it's consistent with my stupidity ;) ). They state that they focus on retail mostly.
So, let we wish them good luck and I hope they got some partner proposals from here.

PS Jack. Pardon for offtopic. Can you remind me please what is the best payment servise? :D

[Jack Norton]

PS Jack. Pardon for offtopic. Can you remind me please what is the best payment servise?
I've come up with another definition: the best payment is the one made UPFRONT, flat fee without any royalties ;)

[Nemesis]

Thumbs up for Andy.. he has a point.

Everything has a beginning after all right?

@AlchemyGames
As already stated in other posts I would recommend a redesign of your site. Try to go for something that is professional-looking.. not too flashy but still pleasing to the eye... and do avoid flash or restrict it to a logo if you must (Moonpod is an excellent example of this). Please bear in mind that as an online enterprise, your website is essentially your shopfront and hence a professionaly designed and appropriately styled site should be one of your primary (if not your major) concerns.

[Cartman]

I have a piece of advice that might help you as well. If you can provide a customer base that you can refer people to for unbiased opinions about your past performance, that would intice me to work with you.

A company I worked for in the past made a great name for themselves because they would give any potential customer a list of their customers who had agreed to be references for them. They didn't coach them, but just allowed them to speak for themselves about the quality of our products. In many cases we would give a random list of over 100 customers for the prospect to choose from. It's a very open and friendly way of getting new customers. And if you are just starting out, trying to build a rep, it can do alot of good.

[Yuriy O]

<Yuriy O>

I thank you for your comments and interest.



Well, I wish you good luck and maybe one day we even publish with you. Who knows :)

[Alchemygames]

Well, we are accepting submissions....

Best wishes,

[Cunning Plan]

Welcome Dave and good luck :)