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Akella Sells Out

K

Keith

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<div align="center"><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#3333FF--><span style="color:#3333FF"><!--/coloro-->Quadriga Capital Russia and Intel Capital invest in Akella<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></div>
<!--coloro:#FF6666--><span style="color:#FF6666"><!--/coloro--><i><!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><div align="center">Russian Game Developer and Publisher Will Expand Throughout Eastern Europe</div><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></i><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

MOSCOW, Russia, November 7, 2005 - Quadriga Capital Russia and Intel Capital have invested in Akella, one of the largest developers of gaming software in Eastern Europe. The funds will help extend Akella’s business into new market segments, such as network games and mobile content distribution, while also facilitating growth of the company’s sales, marketing and advertising activities in Russia, the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Eastern Europe.
The combined share of the two investors in Akella will be less than 50%; the majority of company stock has been retained by Akella’s founders.
Akella has also signed an agreement with Intel to create and optimize future PC games and next-generation game consoles for Intel-based platforms. The two companies will work closely together to optimize soon-to-be-released games such as PT Boats®, Captain Blood®, and Age of Pirates® for Intel’s multi-core and entertainment PC platforms.
“Quadriga is pleased to announce an investment in a company that, in our opinion, has the best growth potential among its competitors in the Russian gaming software industry. Akella has managed to create a strong team of both managers and developers that will drive the company’s future success. As for Quadriga, we will do our best to promote the development of our new investment,” says Reinhard Kohleick, CEO of Quadriga Capital Russia.
“Intel Capital is excited to announce today’s investment in Akella, one of Russia’s leading gaming software companies,” said Arvind Sodhani, senior vice president of Intel Corporation and president of Intel Capital. “Akella’s long history of success demonstrates that Russia has become a key development environment for world class consumer software. Our hope is that Intel Capital will help Akella reach the next phase of growth and profitability.”
"Akella has been a strategic account for Intel dating back to the launch of Intel® Pentium® MMX,” said Christian Morales, vice president of Sales and Marketing Group, co-general manager of Intel EMEA region. “They have demonstrated a very strong position in the world of PC games with such hits as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’® as well as developing titles for several top-tier US gaming companies. Akella’s commitment to fostering growth in the region was a key reason for Intel to further extend our relationship with them."
“This investment underscores the growth of the Russian gaming industry and will allow us to implement multiple innovative ideas and enhance our positions in both Russian and international markets,” said Dmitry Arkhipov, vice president and the co-founder of the company.

Source:
<a href="http://www.akella.com/en/newsarchive/2005/11/07/quardintel/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
 
Not again <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/modding.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":modding" border="0" alt="modding.gif" />
 
yeah as long as they get this game out i dont care what they do <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />
 
I wonder why they always make a drastic transition right before they release a game that has the potential to pull them out of a financial hole (I assume they're hurting for $$$, why else does one sell out?). That's like immediately selling stock for which you only paid $0.01. Give it a chance. It has to get better! Just hold out a little longer. I just hope the game doesn't suffer.
 
1. there is no financial hole for Akella. every company sells part of their stock every now and then - that's calles investment.

2. AoP/Corsairs III is definitely not the last pirate title from Akella.

Corsairs III russian sales are way better than anyone have expected (actually it's already 1C's record sales), so there's no doubt that guys from dev team will have to make another pirate game.
 
Wow g'day Alex, long time no see. Ask svetlana about my Q&A will ya...........lol
 
<!--quoteo(post=136246:date=Dec 17 2005, 09:12 AM:name=Alex L.)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alex L. @ Dec 17 2005, 09:12 AM) [snapback]136246[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1. there is no financial hole for Akella. every company sells part of their stock every now and then - that's calles investment.

2. AoP/Corsairs III is definitely not the last pirate title from Akella.

Corsairs III russian sales are way better than anyone have expected (actually it's already 1C's record sales), so there's no doubt that guys from dev team will have to make another pirate game.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


"The guys from the dev team" are so fed up with making games about pirates they can barely stand it. That's one of the reasons C III sucks so much and you know it. You've released a beta (build 0.99) this time, what are you gonna do next time -- release design docs and leave the rest up to the comunity?
Oh yeah, and speaking of records -- what about your forum? How many topics have you closed and how many users have you banned lately? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=136246:date=Dec 17 2005, 02:12 AM:name=Alex L.)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alex L. @ Dec 17 2005, 02:12 AM) [snapback]136246[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1. there is no financial hole for Akella. every company sells part of their stock every now and then - that's calles investment.

2. AoP/Corsairs III is definitely not the last pirate title from Akella.

Corsairs III russian sales are way better than anyone have expected (actually it's already 1C's record sales), so there's no doubt that guys from dev team will have to make another pirate game.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Re: sales. Yeah, even us with our miserable 250-300 RUR per copy made a great deal, right? It's exactly the principle of "A little old lady's savings are nil - just 10 kopecks. But if I kill ten little old ladies I get 1 ruble." Keep up the good work. In a few years I'll be expecting K-IV v.0.74alpha with no cities (who needs them) or quests (too much for younger audience anyway) and just five ships but with better graphx.
 
yeah, of course, clever mr. Seabro knows everything better than me... even about Akella dev teams (and what they are fed up with), with whom I talk on daily basis.

and I won't go into details on why v. 0.99 was released, and why it was released in condition it was released. it's easy to understand who is to blame for this.

so go on Seabro, keep on flaming Akella on each and every forum (as you already do for years).

p.s. I don't moderate Akella's forum, I visit it once a month at best, so I have no idea on how many stupid threads were closed/deleted and how many idiots were banned.
 
@ Seabro - Please refrain from flaming Akella as it really is not productive and does not serve the wider community.

@ Alex L. - Likewise refrain from flaming your critics as it does not enhance your image.

@ mpiglet - Please keep your comments constructive like your earlier posts.

@ Everybody - Please maintain a civil attitude as we discuss the upcoming game. The heavy sarcasm is not necessary. We are on land here, so this is a friendly port. Resume your quarrels when you are back out to sea.
 
I agree with Fred Bob, but one thing from all that has been writen is also true: graphics(10/10), gameplay(4.5/10) for all the new games(and pirate themed ones), games start to look BEAUTIFUL but their gameplay is simply awful. I actualy preffer to play Sea Dogs with all the cool mods than PotC with Build installed.

Note to Akella: don't go console made like most game developers and forget about making good PC games(no ports please).
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->yeah, of course, clever mr. Seabro knows everything better than me... even about Akella dev teams (and what they are fed up with), with whom I talk on daily basis.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

LOL, seems like you don't listen to them too carefully, or maybe they don't trust you all that much =))
Here's a link for you, I bet you'll find some familiar names there. Something tells me this guy is telling the truth. And, unlike you, he's from the dev team.
<a href="http://legend.seaward.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=3516&st=20" target="_blank">http://legend.seaward.ru/forum/index.php?s...opic=3516&st=20</a>


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->so go on Seabro, keep on flaming Akella on each and every forum (as you already do for years).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, you've been ripping people off for years, flaming is the least you deserve. Drop your lousy attitude and stop treating people like poopoo, no one will flame you for that.


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->@ Seabro - Please refrain from flaming Akella as it really is not productive and does not serve the wider community.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Productive? You mean getting back to beta-testing for you, guys? Sorry, just like <b>mpiglet</b>, I don't feel like it.
But I'll keep quiet and let the PR-guy inform you on everything, we'll see how productive that will be.
I see another contribution in decline coming ;-))
 
I also agree with Fred Bob. Flaming Akella or personally harm Alex doesn't help us. It will just end up, that they will ignore this forum and we don't get any more informations.

On the other hand i can understand the frustration of Seabro and others. It won't be a prob, if this would be the first game with problems.... But it isn't.

I can't talk about Sea Dogs, as i never played it, and just a little about PotC, as I didn't played it enough, cause i miss the MP-Mode, but If you take a look at AOS2 and AOS:pB, they were also full of bugs. Akella never solved them and just stop all conversations to players, who asked for it.

This is one thing Akella should really think about. Good ideas and graphics don't sell games, if the customers loose the trust into akella, because of lousy programmed games and no support.

As they announced AOP, they said they want to make the Game, PotC should have been.... we will see how much we can trust these words....
 
Yeah, ill wade into this to.. We are all up for a bit of a bashing here and there, but not when it becomes personal...we all take seabro's comments with a bit of salt its not a secret he's anti-akella. no need to take the bait Alex. An no need to say they treat peole like s&!t either seabro......remember community forum!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />

I would also add that we should appreciate the time the dev's come here to reply to our threads, if they didnt take the time out to asnswer our constant queries we would all be quessing whats going on, remember that & play nice <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=136360:date=Dec 20 2005, 06:46 AM:name=Seabro)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Seabro @ Dec 20 2005, 06:46 AM) [snapback]136360[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->LOL, seems like you don't listen to them too carefully, or maybe they don't trust you all that much =))
Here's a link for you, I bet you'll find some familiar names there. Something tells me this guy is telling the truth. And, unlike you, he's from the dev team.
<a href="http://legend.seaward.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=3516&st=20" target="_blank">http://legend.seaward.ru/forum/index.php?s...opic=3516&st=20</a><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
seems like you're not reading carefully. half of the current team is not equal to all people involved.
but you may think whatever you want, I don't care.

and btw, I'm not PR-guy.
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->seems like you're not reading carefully. half of the current team is not equal to all people involved.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Half of the team is more than enough and it shows. And I never claimed it was 100%. The other half obviously didn't make much difference.


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->An no need to say they treat peole like s&!t either seabro......remember community forum!!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Sorry for that, got too carried away. I'll behave <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

Bladerunner has a good point. I don't know how long Alex.L (never heard of him untill this year) works in Akella, I'm not sure if he ever tried to play AOSII, PB at all (I won't be surprised if he never even heard of it), but he claims he knows better. Well, Bladerunner knows something about Akella's history of releasing games, which are full of bugs and never get fixed properly. And so do I. The amount of bugs and the overall lack of knowledge about naval stuff in Corsairs III is almost beyond belief. It's difficult to imagine, but in that respect it's worse than AOS:pB, much worse. It's worse than POTC and Sid Meier's Pirates! It's been a constant slide down the hill for Akella since the days of Seadogs. So this is a result of a work of a well motivated team, where at least half of people are inspired by ships, pirates, naval adventure? Give me a break. And if you think three patches in a week time is too much then think of this. 102 closed topics. In 6 days.
No wonder he's not interested =))) Well, I am. That's how they treat people back at home, people who payed their money to involuntarilly become beta-testers. This is to explain some of the harsh language I had to use.
Sure some of those topics were dumb and some of the users banned were idiots. But I gave Akella a credit, so let's make it even -- assume at least half of them were not. "Poopoo" you say? Whatever =))

My concern here is the same as everybody's. I'm into pirates, naval history, seafare, naval adventure. And I want a good game about it. Made by people, who have at least some idea about the era and the rhealms of the 17-th century Caribbean. How they're gonna do it if they're not even listening to people? Flaming is the last thing I want to spend my time on. But it's about time they start answering questions. Honestly.


P.S.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Flaming Akella or personally harm Alex doesn't help us. It will just end up, that they will ignore this forum and we don't get any more informations.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm afraid you don't get it anyway. All the "information" you get is a pr-stuff, which is totally useless, because in Akella's case it proves to be a fraud every time. Mpiglet alone has provided more true info recently, than Akella'd done in years. A clear and honest conversation would be something to appreciate, but forget it. Just remember when you'll give your $40-50 to Playlogic that you've been warned (unlike russian fans).
 
The major problem for me is, that games in the Age of Sail are quite rare on the market.

PotbS and the new PotC will be MMORPG's and you will have to pay monthly for gaming. Next to this you will be bound to rules of the def's. I will try PotbS, but who knows, if it will be good or not?

Most others i know or hear about are too less of a naval simulation or don't have the opportunity of MP-Battles. That's why we still use AOS and PB for sailing at Sealords. But as it starts to become really old and PotbS is on it's way, it would be good to have an alternative for it. There is a lack of activity at the moment on our cyberseas as old friends went away and new ones are not in sight.

So i will continue to have an eye on AOP, as this is imo the only upcoming game, that would fit to our structures.

I wonder that here at PA you never think about doing your own game instead of just modding. For your PotC-Mods you already have programmers and modellers and Game-Engines can be found in the internet - some for free, some for a low price - like Torque (As i told once, we already thought about making our own game, before AOP came up, but as a community of gamers and historical interessted people, we don't find members with the needed skills to do the job and most don't have time to learn them).
 
You know thats actually quite interesting at $100 for an enigne that looks that good, its a bargin. Possible if the Russians aswell were interested in helping out it might be a go'er ill have look further into the engine thingy
 
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