Digital Illusions signs agreement with Trauma Stud


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Source: Link

Desert Combat Webpage: Link (Feb. 4th news entry)

February 4, 2004

Digital Illusions announces deal with Trauma Studios Inc. developer of the hit mod to Battlefield 1942, DesertCombat. This new collaboration is for one of Digital Illusions' previously announced projects.

"We understood the impact DesertCombat had (on the Battlefield community) quite early. This mod kept Battlefield's popularity in place during the last year, as well as helped us sell a considerable number of games", says Patrick S?derlund, CEO, Digital Illusions. "We have established a close relationship with Trauma and now we have come to an exclusive agreement with them."

"We are delighted to be working with Digital Illusions on this project. DICE is one of the premier game development studios in the world and Battlefield 1942 is one of the best PC game to be published in years. Everybody we have met at the company has been fantastic to work with and we are looking forward to collaborating with them on this project." said Frank DeLise, President, Trauma Studios Inc.

About Trauma Studios Inc.: Trauma Studios Inc. is a Manhattan based game developer specializing in First Person Shooter military style games. Best known for the DesertCombat MOD for Digital Illusion's hit game, Battlefield1942, Trauma started up in 2002 and created the #1 MOD for 2002 and for 2003 (as voted on Gamespy). Trauma Studios' DesertCombat has had over 3 million cumulative downloads and consistently ranks amongst the top 3 games played online. For more information, please visit www.traumastudios.com.

This announcement is not that much of a shock, it was bound to happen. I do not know if this is good news or bad news. When CS and DOD were acquired by Valve I thought those mods have since improved, but that depends on who you ask. Do you guys think this is going to end up like another Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat where the game will be sold retail in stores and then also free to download? Also will be the end of the mod as we know it, i.e. the mod will be ruined since Digital Illusions is going to have a part/say in it?

Edited by jmole
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What exactly does this mean? Does Trauma now have access to some level of an SDK for BF1942? Are DICE actually going to offer support to Trauma for modding their engine? Or is this DICE purchasing them up, giving them pushy jobs, and ultimately converting Desert Combat to a commercial add-on pack? :rolleyes:

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What exactly does this mean? Does Trauma now have access to some level of an SDK for BF1942? Are DICE actually going to offer support to Trauma for modding their engine? Or is this DICE purchasing them up, giving them pushy jobs, and ultimately converting Desert Combat to a commercial add-on pack?  :rolleyes:

No clue. I just hope the mod does not take a turn for the worse because it was getting better with each new version. Or the opposite could happen since the mod makers could be given full time jobs with a salary they might produce better work because now they are motivated for the $$$ :shifty:. I guess only time will tell and if we see it being sold in stores then I guess they were really bought out.

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Whatever it means, that's really awesome... I've had more fun with DC than with many a commercial game - best of luck and congrads to the entire Trauma team.

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This is the ultimate honour for mod-makers. The reason they do this is a) To be recognized in the gaming industry and score a job, and b) To give something to the community. I see nothing wrong with this, but i'm not a fan of DC so I really wouldn't give a **** if it went to waste due to this.

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What exactly does this mean? Does Trauma now have access to some level of an SDK for BF1942? Are DICE actually going to offer support to Trauma for modding their engine? Or is this DICE purchasing them up, giving them pushy jobs, and ultimately converting Desert Combat to a commercial add-on pack? :rolleyes:

Given that almost all DICE team members, and certainly all members of the management, have long-standing roots in the top of the European demo scene, I just don't see them converting DC to a commerical add-on. I think they are way too close to the gamer community themselves to let something like that happen (even though I'm not so sure it was DICE's decision, it may have been pushed on them from above, i.e. their publisher). I rather think they will let DC become an officially supported freebie, much like CS was to Halflife.

This is similar to them adding copy protections. Knowing the CEO to some small degree, I don't see DICE doing it of their own free will, since they are well aware how much it damages their reputation among the hardcore fans (especially in their country, where by law, backing up programs/games/CDs/DVDs is an absolute right of the enduser), thus lowering brand loyalty among those who care most about DICE's games. Hence, such decisions are something that is most likely enforced by the publishers. Another reason why DICE should go independent again. :x

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Here is some new info: Link.

Trauma Studios developed the popular mod* to Battlefield 1942, DesertCombat. The new collaboration is for one of Digital Illusions' previously announced projects. The Company estimates the costs for the collaboration to approximately 550 000 USD during a period of 12 months.
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