We have all been spoiled with Dark Basic Pro, imo the best basic language produced, for a reasonably low outlay and free updates for years.
Yes it has always had bugs and still has. It's always had problems with its IDE but never the less we have managed by work arounds or others producing dll fixes. I still use it today and would welcome an update/upgrade but this doesn't look likely in the short time, if at all.
There are supporters such as JackDawson who is trying to get the forum interested in to providing some bug fixes and/or updates but the task sounds like it will be too much for any one person and he appears to be getting little practical support.
Why? Because the DBPro forum is declining week by week and I'm not sure TGC realise the consequences.
DBPro has failed because it was developed, badly promoted and sold by IT personnel with little business accruement. DBPro had very few avenues available to make new money. Hence the reason FPSC, imo the least desirable of TGC programmes, has taken centre stage. FPSC at least offers the opportunity for TGC to make money simply from its add-on packs, although as soon as the pledge money pot runs dry I'm reasonably sure that they will be unable to create enough new customer sales which may ultimately result in FPSC coming to a standstill except for a few new packs every so often.
AGK is destined to go the same way as DBPro as their business strategy doesn't appear to have changed. Once the pledge fund runs dry, how long will members have to wait for updates if it doesn't bring in regular new money. No doubt a new pledge request will be forthcoming if insufficient revenue is achieved from thin air.
During this time DBPro members will continue to decline and be very few and far between.
One of the most basic and important facts regarding business is that it takes a lot more in resources, time and effort to get a new customer than it does to keep an existing customer.
TGC
could and
should stop the member decline now, not when they get bored with current avenues, lose essential programming staff or realises AppGameKit and FPSC are simply not making enough money to keep them afloat because their business plans are suspect.
It is possible that DBElite may at that dire time be considered by TGC, but i believe too much damage caused by their neglect may harm that opportunity.
I hear that improvements to DBPro are being made to help create FPSC and I think it may also be possible for the new IDE used for AppGameKit to be used for any future DB Pro/Elite release, but if TGC want to keep members -
let us know something.
If a new or improved version of DBPro is ever release what will TGC need to do to keep it viable?
The most obvious method is to get a stable product and sell it at a price we would be prepared to pay. Unexpected bugs would need to be fixed foc but each major update, possibly annually, would need to be paid for. Existing owners of the 1st release would then pay just for an update. New customers at that time would need to pay a price somewhere in between the 1st release price and the price with the update(s) added. I do not suggest the idea of upgrades through individual choice of plugins because although these are useful for individual members, it does not keep every new version of DB? updated which is simpler for future development, nor is financially best for the Company.
Next TGC could provide 3D packs something in between the FPSC packs and the Game Store options. These could include characters, scenery objects, animals, gaming pieces, cards, dice, tokens, snooker/pool balls/cues etc etc, choices of colours and royalty free, and maybe members could help decide.
It could also include new sprite packs for 2D apps for members without that artistic bent.
No doubt this post will receive some criticism as members have become very angry and disappointed at the lack of support received and they consequently take it out on members trying to do something positive. Regrettably that is a sure way to ensure that DBPro is never revived or improved upon. Be positive and criticise constructively. If there is enough positive support for a new or improved DB?, we may get there, it depends on us all.
