All About KUJU

[OTTODAD]

There still being some doubters, this will tell you what KUJU are all about, providing evidence about their ability to create a top notch Train Simulator, already having created the best one on the market so far. ;-)

http://www.kuju.com
http://www.kuju.com/development_index.htm

This from the Games Investors web site:
http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108388.jpg

confirmed by KUJU's annual report for their financial year ending March 2005:

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108389.jpg
which also shows that they have greatly reduced a net loss of £ 1,456.182 in 2004 to £ 146.132 in 2005 and believe that they have turned the corner since and are slowly moving into profitability despite difficult markets.

It should be obvious that their investors have great confidence in their ability to come up with the goods and are looking forward to an outstanding product. KUJU also retaining control over the development of KRS will no doubt improve it further to keep the cash coming in ! ;-)

You may have noticed in the Leipzip announcement, I am thinking of perhaps visiting, that KRS is being referred to as Game, indicating that it is aimed at a mass market and not just a handful of prototype train simmers, the new AGEIA PhysX processor no doubt playing a part in that !

Exciting, isn't it ? :7

O t t o

[Bill Hobbs]

Otto,
Hope you and some others can attend so we can have some firsthand information about the sim.

[OTTODAD]

I am sure that there will be some German train simmers going, a couple in the UK-Trainsim forum saying that they might attend and most certainly guys from the The-Train.de web site will be there.

One way or the other we should get a comprehensive review from somebody ! ;-)

I am going to check flights from Heathrow, London shortly ! The only problem is that it starts when there is a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and traveling during one is a nightmare, some pilot unions picking the busiest periods to go on strike ! x(

We shall see !

O t t o

[SurvivorSean]

Though this information is some what relevant, it really doesn't show how long it will be backed, just what it has done up until now.

I too have noticed the term "GAME" and I wasn't going to say anything, but since you've mentioned it the 2nd time what the heck. This is a new thread, and it's relevant.

Though I think marketing something as a "GAME" not a "SIMULATOR" will certainly bring in some extra short-term money, it will do nothing for long-term money unless it either satisfies the train enthusiasts or at least shows a willingness to head in that direction. Take the FS model as an example, those looking for a game and happen to notice FS and think that looks cool (for whatever reason) may purchase a copy, or may even try and save some $ and purchase an older version nearby that in their minds looks similar to them (may even run better on their limited system). Many FS enthusiasts will upgrade to the newest version quickly, and buy alot of add-ons (many also Microsoft products). Because it is a popular supported platform, not only do they get repeat sales in enthusiasts, but by word of mouth they bring in or create more FS enthusiasts.

Kuju has (some may even say had - all depends who comes back) the potential to be a niche market that will only build and multiply on itself. I'm all for having features in a simulation that can be game like to some. I always thought Flight Simulator having the war modes was an excelent way of making people look twice. People aren't going to buy a game just because it's a game, and has a pretty cover. For one the majority of people aren't interested in trains, and unless you change the title to "Runaway Train" or "War Train" or something your not going to even get a look by the majority.

If Kuju can develop a core program that has room to develop further in future versions, and is there to support it with the community you'll find many people will be back to the table for some more. Right now I'm hungry, and so are alot of people. But as I said before were not starving like we were in 2000. I wish Kuju nothing but the best, and despite my cautious tone I'm optimistic that they will at least deliver something, and give it a serious try.

Thanks

Sean

[OTTODAD]

Excellent comments, Sean, I think KUJU are fully aware of, intending to make more money developing it further, multi-player and PRO versions, etc ?

Looking at the markets, comparing the number of airplane modelers flying their planes and railway modelers running their trains, I dare say the latter have a significant majority over the former.

Converting railway modelers to train simmers should be not be that difficult, providing realism you can not have with a model railway layout, rain and seasons for a start, driving many locos from within their cabs, or changing layout tracks 11 times at the press of a left mouse button ! ;-)

A perfect example of that is my U.K. Märklin importer friend, who having been introduced to MSTS by me now spends most of his time running U.K. routes and rolling stock, creating activities for, while his extensive Märklin indoor and outdoor layouts of all gauges are gathering dust !

I too have been converted and hooked, realizing how much more I can do with a train sim at next to no cost compared with the thousands of UK £ I spent on model railways stuff !

Take care, O t t o.

[ragtimer]

Hi Otto,have you bought some shares in Kuju?

[OTTODAD]

Hi Otto,have you bought some shares in Kuju?

Not yet, Peter, but got my eyes on them and shall decide after having seen more of KRS ! ;-)

Almost did after they went on the stock market here in the U.K. and MSTS-2 was on the cards. Glad I didn't, the shares diving after MSTS-2 was called off and losses increased !

O t t o

[rgrader]

As they say, the "proof will be in the pudding," not in investor comments, annual reports, etc. But in the final product.

Talk is cheap. :)

Wyatt

[OTTODAD]

As they say, the "proof will be in the pudding," not in investor comments, annual reports, etc. But in the final product.

If the product is good then it will sell and reflect in the company's Profit and Loss account ! ;-)

O t t o

[rgrader]

That is correct, but if it requires people to get elite equipment....then it will NOT sell *as much* and will NOT make *as much* profit. :)

>As they say, the "proof will be in the
>pudding," not in investor comments, annual reports, etc. But
>in the final product.
>
>If the product is good then it will sell and reflect in the
>company's Profit and Loss account ! ;-)
>
>O t t o
>

[NickF]

Otto, I'm not quite convinced that your analogy holds. Based on my experience with model railroading, MSTS, and MSFS, it wouldn't hold true for me.

I began model railroading at about age 10 (back in the 1950's) and continued until I remarried in the early 1990's. My primary interest while model railroading was the creation of super-detailed model rolling stock and detailed scenery (buildings, trackside items, etc.) I was much less interested in operations.

Since I remarried, and have been raising a daughter, I haven't had the time and/or space to create another physical layout. I miss the hands-on modeling part of thie hobby, although I get a certain amount of satisfaction in the creation or routes, buildings, etc (although I can't build locomotives or rolling stock>)

I've been buying flight simulators since the days of Sub-Logic's Apple II version, but have never felt interested in getting involved in flying model airplanes.

My point is that people get into the physical hobbies for various reasons, and I'm just not sure that converting model railroaders to virtual railroading will me all that simple.

Nick

[SurvivorSean]

I would have to agree with Nick on that one too. Though I think there is certainly what they refer to as V-Scale as a crossover I found the majority of people at my model railroad club where not interested in the computer simulations (even if they had the ability with a PC etc.). The ones that showed any interest where those more interested in operations, and if operations where a secondary interest they really didn't put V-Scale as their primary focus. There are even railfans that have the ability, but have no real interest in simulations either.

Thanks

Sean

[OTTODAD]

I was thinking more of the younger ones who like to play trains and not make them, I keep seeing loads of every time I visit a railway model show. "Dad can I have one for Christmas", "Sorry, son, can't afford it and there is not enough room in the house". :-(

Pictures speak a million words, my grandson thrilled by my Märklin-H0 layout, leaving me just enough space for a bed in my bedroom ! ;-)

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108574.jpg

You also got to remember that here in Europe and elsewhere people can not afford houses like some of you have, letting them do this: ;-)

O t t o

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108573.jpg

[ragtimer]

The Kuju share price is now down to 6p.It was 8p last week,it cannot take 25% falls much more.The market always gets it right.

[OTTODAD]

Thanks, Peter !

Meant to check and keep forgetting ! :-(

Almost got some shares after they went public in May 2002 and MSTS-2 was being talked about towards the end of 2002 and the shares where close to 50p and am glad I did not !

But there is lots of scope now if they can come up with a winner ! ;-)

Take care, O t t o.

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108920.jpg

[muskokaandtahoe]

Otto, did you flip that before you posted it? :D Isn't it supposed to look like this?

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/108921.jpg

[cbq311]

Yep, that chart is going to make me go out and buy some. That is not a healthy. It seems if they don't get a winner, in the tank they go.

[OTTODAD]

I hope it will after I bought some of their shares, Dave !

One of the reasons why I am promoting KRS ! :7

O t t o

[SurvivorSean]

Hey is that you that bought 1.5 million shares last fall? :)

Seriously though what the hell scared investors in the 4Q of last year to increase the volume so high, and watch the value go down after the sell off.

Thanks

Sean

[OTTODAD]

What the hell scared investors in the 4Q of last year to increase the volume so high, and watch the value go down after the sell off.

Could this have been the reason, Sean ?

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200512281000012052W

O t t o