Thinking out loud...
by Alienforce · 08/20/2013 (11:30 am) · 30 comments
Hi All,
After some frustrating couple of weeks trying to find information to how to port T3D to Windows 8 App market (Windows Phone 8, Windows RT and Windows plain App !! Not Desktop application !! )
I finally had to, god forbid take a deep dive into Unity :)
Ok. I have never liked Unity and been a user of Torque since TGE 1.2 or 1.3 don't even remember any more..
One thing I really liked with the Unity was the "Asset Store" ... Just WOW!
So my question is to you all Torque user
Is there interest for a third part "Torque Asset Store" ?? there anyone can sell their content, templates, scripts etc.....
The GarageGames store don't seem to be very active anymore and I personally like to shop in one place,
not need to setup a new account everytime I find something to buy :)
Input please??
Ps. I have the resources/knowledge for setup a Asset store for Torque but IF I do this I want to know if there is any interest ... ??? Don't want to waste my time building something no one want ;)
After some frustrating couple of weeks trying to find information to how to port T3D to Windows 8 App market (Windows Phone 8, Windows RT and Windows plain App !! Not Desktop application !! )
I finally had to, god forbid take a deep dive into Unity :)
Ok. I have never liked Unity and been a user of Torque since TGE 1.2 or 1.3 don't even remember any more..
One thing I really liked with the Unity was the "Asset Store" ... Just WOW!
So my question is to you all Torque user
Is there interest for a third part "Torque Asset Store" ?? there anyone can sell their content, templates, scripts etc.....
The GarageGames store don't seem to be very active anymore and I personally like to shop in one place,
not need to setup a new account everytime I find something to buy :)
Input please??
Ps. I have the resources/knowledge for setup a Asset store for Torque but IF I do this I want to know if there is any interest ... ??? Don't want to waste my time building something no one want ;)
About the author
#2
08/20/2013 (1:42 pm)
The idea has surfaced before, but has always faded away in the end. As mentioned already the active community itself is apparently just not large enough for continued support of such a thing. 
#3
I'm pretty sure I'm down with the technical side of things; legal/financial knowhow would be my stumbling block. So I imagine free releases would be the first step in such a system.
EDIT: That said, don't let me stop you from going ahead with your vision for this!
08/20/2013 (2:53 pm)
I'm planning on looking into something like a combined package manager/store for T3D once we have a commonly-accepted modular template structure that supports that sort of thing. Accessible from in-editor UI, browser, command-line, supporting free or paid content.I'm pretty sure I'm down with the technical side of things; legal/financial knowhow would be my stumbling block. So I imagine free releases would be the first step in such a system.
EDIT: That said, don't let me stop you from going ahead with your vision for this!
#4
As far as art packs go, my opinion is that you should target both torque and unity. You can still make money off unity asset store and still support torque at the same time.
08/20/2013 (4:28 pm)
We use both torque and unity based on the project we are doing. Unity has its ups and downs too. I would also recommend adding it to Torque3D.net if you plan to make one.As far as art packs go, my opinion is that you should target both torque and unity. You can still make money off unity asset store and still support torque at the same time.
#5
At this point if you do decide to do it. You should decide on a location. Great idea, IMO.
08/20/2013 (4:35 pm)
I think it would be a great idea, just be prepared for a slow start up. Once the community grow a but I could see it being as good or better than the unity store. Demolishun had a good idea gearing it towards other engines as well or at least tested in icons..At this point if you do decide to do it. You should decide on a location. Great idea, IMO.
#6
Back in the early 80s was one of the original booms in skateboarding. Tony Hawk held and still holds more awards for his athletic prowess than any other athlete in history. Yes athletes of all fields not just skateboarding. He is the most decorated athlete. At one point the skateboarding industry crashed and near the end of the 80s Tony Hawk was nearly penniless. He had a decision to make. He could train in another field to make a living, or he could found a skateboarding brand during the downturn. So he chose to form a company and wait for the upturn. He knew if he waited it would be more expensive to start of business, prohibitively expensive. Now you can see how that turned out.
I see Torque and gaming in general looking to be in the same boat. People are tired of the old boiler plate titles. They want something new and different. People who supply content, games, and code for this will be in a good position as this takes off. So I am not just banking on a game engine, but an industry change. Games are going to add the benefit of helping improve our lives, not just distract us from them. I choose to be a part of the new wave of game designers.
How does a store fit in? A store can let you provide content in a nice central area and allow each individual have a smaller piece of a bigger pie. The more we come together to make the pie bigger, those small pieces get bigger, and bigger, and bigger. It is not a store, but a community center that will drive excitement and content into the community and out of it. It is a good thing.
08/20/2013 (6:51 pm)
Sometimes I make statements without expounding the why. Often this leads to confusion because my knowledge base may be different from other people. So here is why I think now is the time for this content store:Back in the early 80s was one of the original booms in skateboarding. Tony Hawk held and still holds more awards for his athletic prowess than any other athlete in history. Yes athletes of all fields not just skateboarding. He is the most decorated athlete. At one point the skateboarding industry crashed and near the end of the 80s Tony Hawk was nearly penniless. He had a decision to make. He could train in another field to make a living, or he could found a skateboarding brand during the downturn. So he chose to form a company and wait for the upturn. He knew if he waited it would be more expensive to start of business, prohibitively expensive. Now you can see how that turned out.
I see Torque and gaming in general looking to be in the same boat. People are tired of the old boiler plate titles. They want something new and different. People who supply content, games, and code for this will be in a good position as this takes off. So I am not just banking on a game engine, but an industry change. Games are going to add the benefit of helping improve our lives, not just distract us from them. I choose to be a part of the new wave of game designers.
How does a store fit in? A store can let you provide content in a nice central area and allow each individual have a smaller piece of a bigger pie. The more we come together to make the pie bigger, those small pieces get bigger, and bigger, and bigger. It is not a store, but a community center that will drive excitement and content into the community and out of it. It is a good thing.
#7
08/20/2013 (7:07 pm)
The unity store works so well because of how easily modules work in it. 
#8
Yes we do have a store and it is pretty much open for anyone else to sell products in. We take care of all the sales related stuff, etc. I do believe we cut checks quarterly to our providers.
I'd have to check w/ Paul, but I think it is the normal 30/70 percent cut where 30 percent of each sale goes to paying for bandwidth, overhead, etc.
Some of the things we do extra though are things like helping you get your stuff ready. Some of our providers do not speak english so we help them translate their information, etc. We also have people that help "Doll" up the product so it looks nice and attractive in general.
We provide forums for the provider and send complete receipt transactions on each sale. So you know who, what and when someone purchased something your selling.
Our usual turn around time is about 2-3 days from the time we receive all the information and signatures to the time it appears on our site.
If someone would like to sell through us, contact paul at Pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com.
Hope that helps,
Vince
08/21/2013 (4:02 am)
@Alienforce, Demolishun,Yes we do have a store and it is pretty much open for anyone else to sell products in. We take care of all the sales related stuff, etc. I do believe we cut checks quarterly to our providers.
I'd have to check w/ Paul, but I think it is the normal 30/70 percent cut where 30 percent of each sale goes to paying for bandwidth, overhead, etc.
Some of the things we do extra though are things like helping you get your stuff ready. Some of our providers do not speak english so we help them translate their information, etc. We also have people that help "Doll" up the product so it looks nice and attractive in general.
We provide forums for the provider and send complete receipt transactions on each sale. So you know who, what and when someone purchased something your selling.
Our usual turn around time is about 2-3 days from the time we receive all the information and signatures to the time it appears on our site.
If someone would like to sell through us, contact paul at Pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com.
Hope that helps,
Vince
#9
1 we did consider seding the receipt to the seller but if the customer buys products from other sellers in the same purchase that would mean they would see what products from other people their customers bouth, so instead we provide a page where they can get the full list of sales - including order number and date to only their products, plus a report on the total sales value. Both this reports can be fetched for current year (to keep up to date) and previous year (to get the years complete sales details). This page is only accessable to resellers and they only get the results for their products. From a privacy stand point this seems a better option.
2 We provide fórums on request as some products/resellers might not require one for one reason or another.
Our store even allows you to make discounts either general or through use of discount coupons.
Selling in our store doesn't require you to have an account with us, unless you want to moderate a product fórum or want access to the sales reports mentioned in 1 (i'd recomend it). Buying from us though does require na account.
We're currently selling besides our own products, some art packs from 3TD studios and Game3D studios as you can see at our store
We welcome all products/resellers - wether Torque specific or not. So we're somewhat already providing what AlienForce is talking about.
As Vince said, if you have any questions please contact Paul.
08/21/2013 (5:45 am)
A couple of corrections to what vince said1 we did consider seding the receipt to the seller but if the customer buys products from other sellers in the same purchase that would mean they would see what products from other people their customers bouth, so instead we provide a page where they can get the full list of sales - including order number and date to only their products, plus a report on the total sales value. Both this reports can be fetched for current year (to keep up to date) and previous year (to get the years complete sales details). This page is only accessable to resellers and they only get the results for their products. From a privacy stand point this seems a better option.
2 We provide fórums on request as some products/resellers might not require one for one reason or another.
Our store even allows you to make discounts either general or through use of discount coupons.
Selling in our store doesn't require you to have an account with us, unless you want to moderate a product fórum or want access to the sales reports mentioned in 1 (i'd recomend it). Buying from us though does require na account.
We're currently selling besides our own products, some art packs from 3TD studios and Game3D studios as you can see at our store
We welcome all products/resellers - wether Torque specific or not. So we're somewhat already providing what AlienForce is talking about.
As Vince said, if you have any questions please contact Paul.
#10
but yes, pretty much all vendors, providers, contractors, interns, etc etc etc funnel through me first... or at least at some point. If i dont have an immediate answer, i know where to go to find it.
If you have any questions about the products, store, our overall direction, why the sky is blue, please email me at Pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com - ill do my best to have an answer.
08/21/2013 (8:10 am)
Hi.... my name is Paul. I cant tell if im the "go to" guy or the scapegoat here......but yes, pretty much all vendors, providers, contractors, interns, etc etc etc funnel through me first... or at least at some point. If i dont have an immediate answer, i know where to go to find it.
If you have any questions about the products, store, our overall direction, why the sky is blue, please email me at Pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com - ill do my best to have an answer.
#11
You're not the scapegoat - but you kind of are in the midst of every thing inside WLE.
Just to give a hand to Paul here - questions might also be directed to me at LRodrigues@winterleafentertainment.com - i will answer those i can.
But regardless Paul, anyone who decides to use this service will sooner or later have to go through you - which is why Vince and I just directed eveyone to you to begin with.
But yeah - for questions/answers i can land you a hand in that
08/21/2013 (8:24 am)
@Paul: lolYou're not the scapegoat - but you kind of are in the midst of every thing inside WLE.
Just to give a hand to Paul here - questions might also be directed to me at LRodrigues@winterleafentertainment.com - i will answer those i can.
But regardless Paul, anyone who decides to use this service will sooner or later have to go through you - which is why Vince and I just directed eveyone to you to begin with.
But yeah - for questions/answers i can land you a hand in that
#12
08/21/2013 (10:59 am)
Since Winterleaf stole my Asset Store idea now :) Wouldn't it be great to buy all assets in one place. I am all in for buying content via Winterleaf.. Have already done so.. So Winterleaf come on and bring the noise. :)
#13
Ron
08/21/2013 (3:53 pm)
I can tell you straight up. WLE does a really good job when it comes to working with us 'content providers'. I highly recommend Luis and Paul. They have been really good and very fair to work with. Additionally, Luis is VERY fast at making changes and ensuring things are posted on time. Thanks guys.Ron
#14
08/21/2013 (4:59 pm)
Sounds like we need a link at Torque3D.net for WinterLeaf's store! 
#15
08/22/2013 (3:23 pm)
Great! I have been working with my partner to making an art pack/plugin for Torque 3D, glad to know there is a place we can take it besides here at GG:O) Not that I dislike GG or anything, just the opposite, but like said before things look to be slowing down for the GG store:O)
#16
we are working on a Store Page atm that will give a quick highlight of what we offer and how to contact us if u wish to put your products in the store.
If someone would like to link the WLE store on Torque3D.NET, contact me at pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com
08/23/2013 (5:12 am)
@All we are working on a Store Page atm that will give a quick highlight of what we offer and how to contact us if u wish to put your products in the store.
If someone would like to link the WLE store on Torque3D.NET, contact me at pyoskowitz@winterleafentertainment.com
#17
08/24/2013 (9:02 pm)
removed
#18
08/25/2013 (9:57 am)
@John Edward Donovan - Those are all valid points - and the studios that are selling stuff in our store also sell in other places. But honestly nothing you said has any bearing on the subject of this post - getting a store that, albight not specificly for Torque related producrs, can be a centralized location for Torque products where the community can turn to buy and sell. And this not specificly for art packs either.
#19
08/25/2013 (11:58 am)
@Winterleaf - totally correct, duly noted and removed. I'm sure these guys don't need the obvious stating anyway.
#20
@All: To Whomever might be interested, here's a draft page explaining what we are providing exactly (WIP)
If you think your questions haven't been addressed there, let us know please
08/26/2013 (2:54 am)
@John Edward Donovan: No worries@All: To Whomever might be interested, here's a draft page explaining what we are providing exactly (WIP)
If you think your questions haven't been addressed there, let us know please
Torque Owner Demolishun
DemolishunConsulting Rocks!
I think we will run into the same issue as Ron did with art packs. Just not a bit enough market, yet. Yes, I would love an asset store, but I think it needs a focus bigger than T3D. I know the WinterLeaf folks have something setup for T3D in general. Maybe they would be able to explain what they have. Hint, hint...
We could have the asset store hosted at Torque3D.net (the new site). That way it would combine efforts between you and James Davis. I would be willing to put together some really simple beginner code packs and possibly some placeholder art for game prototypes. I would probably target a general audience with the content. T3D is just too specific right now. Once we grow the community a bit this will take off more. Perhaps having a store now will allow that store to be the hub once it picks up.
BTW, it WILL pick up as we focus and figure out how to grow this community. We know we have a great engine, great committee members, and a great group at GG giving us the tools to make this happen.
Also, I know we love Torque, but like you found out if you need a specific feature then use another engine that can get it done now. I think one unique feature of this community is we are not afraid to say that T3D or T2D is not the end all be all no matter how awesome it is. I would rather send someone to use Unity then for them to not get their dream, vision, or project done. So whatever we dream up should be friendly to content for other engines, IMO.
Edit:
So make sure you have a way to tag the store content with the engines it has been tested with. Like a little icon for T3D, T2D, Unity, Unreal, CyEngine, etc. This will look very professional and show that this community is bigger than just Torque in general. Perhaps the store needs a different URL in the future. I will leave that up to you. The reason I am thinking Torque3D.net is because it is a rally point for everyone.