[x______________]

> We reached out to Microsoft a few years ago and offered to create a new version at no charge if they would restore it to Windows but they turned us down. There appeared to be no interest on their part.

Thanks for the prompt reasonse!

I'm inclined to think that the landscape a few years ago has changed drastically and today's world is a lot different: Microsoft is now one of the world's largest gaming houses with their purchases of Mojang, ZeniMax and Activision/Blizzard and the dust from those mergers (should) have settled. A vision for the immediate and near future would certainly be different.

Add the fact that Windows 11 currently has a very poor overall impression with its user base and have publicly pledged that they will work to improve their operating system offering.

There's also a new Xbox leader, Asha Sharma, who has decided to change how the Xbox division is being managed, leading to new ways on how to improve their overall share of the gaming market.

All of the above pertains only towards the initial conception of how Space Cadet was introduced to a generation of fans focused on Microsoft. And despite it being a unique opportunity, it may only be applicable back then. That is no longer necessary now in today's age as you already have an established name, product and reputation. And on the flip side, going the no-charge to previous benefactors may even be detrimental to the overall goal without considering existing gaming solutions like Steam or GoG.

I'd be bold to ask why would you even need their blessing to release an updated or new version but would be quick to dismiss the hurdle as unnecessary, when there are other options and people out there to support your brand and product and to see that your fans blessed are with another table after such a long time.

Looking forward to your feedback!

-x

edit: elusive missing comma

[davidst]

> I'd be bold to ask why would you even need their blessing to release an updated or new version

My Cinematronics co-founders and I do not own the rights to any of the games we created. Cinematronics was acquired by Maxis, and Maxis was later acquired by Electronic Arts (who are being acquired, as well.) The rights would have to be untangled which was, I suspect, part of the hesitation Microsoft had in moving forward.

[x______________]

Rights aside, would you be willing to explore other options to release a new pinball table to existing fans?

[davidst]

Never say never but I think it's unlikely. Our motivation was to restore pinball to Windows (with modern updates) so every Windows user could enjoy it. Any other form of distribution wouldn't have the same coverage or impact. It would have been great to not only please the fans of the old game but to introduce a new generation to pinball just as Space Cadet once did.

[x______________]

I appreciate the time you've spent discussing the situation, thank you for that.

While today's gaming landscape is a bit different with hundreds of millions of pc's are running windows, it'd be a quick boon at getting a product out there and promoting the pinball scene (a bit cheeky for other gaming devs but I digress..).. Since it's been a few years, why not reach out to the Microsoft team once more and see what they have to say?

Alternatively, in a potentially smaller yet equally good view, Space Commander Pinball sounds like a great sequel which may not have the legal hurdles currently faced with Cadet. A potential follow-up could be Space Admiral Pinball, allowing the audience to follow through with a full career within the Pinball Space Force.

Whichever route you take, I wish you the best of luck and success! If you ever need to bounce ideas off of, it would be nice to keep in touch.

-X