Oldtimer newbie's reflections

Paul Fierlinger · Post by **Paul Fierlinger** » 05 May 2008, 10:48

So Bauhaus shutdown it's Mirage department and here I am, an old-timer/newbie, looking around familiar places and curious about the direction TVPaint Animation is set for. Could someone give me a heads up on the development philosophy of the application's future? Who is the target consumer? What will happen to the Mirage name? What are some of the basic marketing strategies?

I worry out of experience. I have bought into more than my share of applications only to see one after another collapse for lack of generating a wide market base; AXA for $ 3,000, CTW for the same price, Aura -- was it $ 600? Then Mirage for $ 600 and now TVPaint Animation for another $ 600 upgrade.

I have little trouble opening my wallet (twice) each time because I make a living with these applications. I'm not the only one but frankly, how many of us professional 2D animator's are there in the world? I don't know but I am certain that there are not enough of us to sustain the development of a viable application.

We depend on the amateurs, the hobbyists and the wide-eyed students to keep the developers in business, but how many of these enthusiasts can dish out $ 1,000 for software to play with when they come back from the office and don't want to watch TV?

I don't know the answers to these questions and I don't even know if I am asking the right questions. Maybe I am screwed up. That's why I open this thread.

Fabrice · Post by **Fabrice** » 05 May 2008, 12:05

Hi Paul,

Our goal is same since 1991, when we created TVPaint on Amiga:
We want to make TVP Animation Pro the best animation and drawing software ever seen for the studios, freelances, students, etc ...

Klaus Hoefs · Post by **Klaus Hoefs** » 05 May 2008, 12:07

Usually a company spread their product spectrum to a range from hobbiest to pro. So there is a cheaper feature-reduced version of Animation Pro.

I agree with what you said about the small base of pro-users, so I think it is a good idea to make it easy with an attractive offer for post-students and semi-pros.

Paul Fierlinger · Post by **Paul Fierlinger** » 05 May 2008, 12:10

Fabrice wrote:Hi Paul,

Our goal is same since 1991, when we created TVPaint on Amiga:
We want to make TVP Animation Pro the best animation and drawing software ever seen for the studios, freelances, students, etc ...

And what about the name? Will you drop the Mirage name now that you own it?

Fabrice · Post by **Fabrice** » 05 May 2008, 12:28

Paul,

The lastest events are too recent to answer you about this.

Anyway, due to all our efforts, the name of "TVP Animation" is more and more well known on the 2D software animation market.

Paul Fierlinger · Post by **Paul Fierlinger** » 05 May 2008, 12:36

Well, it is exciting to be under one roof. I wish you all the best. Without this software I'd be still in the woods and it is getting better and better.

Post by **Hervé** » 05 May 2008, 12:38

Paul Fierlinger wrote:Well, it is exciting to be under one roof. I wish you all the best. Without this software I'd be still in the woods and it is getting better and better.

Thank you Paul.

Paul Fierlinger · Post by **Paul Fierlinger** » 05 May 2008, 12:41

Well, having said that, I..... (just kidding).

spacecat · Post by **spacecat** » 06 May 2008, 00:35

yeah I hope everything is successful as well, the base software if great what ever the name is,, As a Mirage user who is moving over here as well as Paul and Klaus I hope for the best

Paul Fierlinger · Post by **Paul Fierlinger** » 06 May 2008, 00:38

For whatever this is worth, the Bauhaus forum is gone.

spacecat · Post by **spacecat** » 06 May 2008, 00:53

Yeah, I found that out today about an hour ago.....

Mandalaholic · Post by **Mandalaholic** » 06 May 2008, 00:54

Oh so it wasn't something I said then? I guess we all got kicked out.

Mandalaholic · Post by **Mandalaholic** » 06 May 2008, 00:55

Hi Space Cat!

Sierra Rose · Post by **Sierra Rose** » 06 May 2008, 01:15

I wish I had downloaded some of the threads containing information I used for reference. I can probably find those topics covered here though.

I've been playing with TVP all day and there are some marvelous features.

Mandalaholic · Post by **Mandalaholic** » 06 May 2008, 01:48

Which ones do you like the best so far Sierra?