This is an Open Letter to Activision.
You had a great game, and you let it decay into non existence. For many people around the world, this game, the original Dark Reign, was their first RTS and it changed their lives in ways you could probably never imagine.
This website and the remaining community, should serve as a testament to the skills of Auran of creating such a fast paced, perfectly balanced game. However, when you could have clenched the deal and made Dark Reign a household name among players ... you stuffed it up.
Dark Reign 2 had a great engine, no doubt ... But it was eye-candy, it did not stay true to the original Dark Reign, the gameplay was ... not very exciting ... and finally, the dedicated players that would have made Dark Reign 2 a success ... most of them stayed playing Dark Reign 1 after either trying to migrate to Dark Reign 2, or refusing to migrate at all.
You went up against the behemoth that is Blizzard, and yet, now funnily enough ... you are now one with Blizzard ... I honestly never saw that coming but I believe it will lead to some really awesome games coming out ... but sadly, I believe that Dark Reign will not get a revival when compared against Starcraft II and Warcraft III on Blizzard's side.
Command & Conquer 3 - Tiberium Wars, is the closest game that I have played that has come anywhere near close to what I expected in Dark Reign 2, or what I am hoping if there is ever a Dark Reign 3.
I honestly believe, that if there is ever a Dark Reign 3, there are half a dozen members of this remaining Dark Reign 1 community that should be used as advisors, as we have lived and breathed this game for over 10 years ... and have kept it alive long after Activision pulled support away, and turned the servers offline.
I myself have bought Dark Reign five times, as I know many other people have as well. (Keeping a CD in perfect condition for 10+ years is a little bit of a hassle, especially when you were only 12 when you started playing it.
It is now nearly impossible to buy Dark Reign, anywhere. I would say without doubt, nearly every single member of this community is a returning veteran, we have not really ever had any new players in many years. Who, like I, I believe have bought the game more than once. Element and I are merely allowing them to play on the CD's they have since lost.
You will notice there is no advertising on this website, I make no money, in fact, I spend a great deal of my own money keeping this community alive as does Element. Let alone all the time I have spent, and all the energy as well ...
I believe the source code for Dark Reign should be released to the community, because there are many things we would like to change but are unable to do so (Such as adding more sides, adding better scripting abilities to missions, insuring compatibility with new operating systems, and of course - allowing more than 200 units at any one time.
The game no longer makes money, I believe the tactics engine has no potential to make alot of money, if any at all. But I believe gaming companies should look after their communities and fans, especially those of old games that are no longer supported.
Or, if you wish, get in contact with me and I will buy the rights for Dark Reign off you, in cash, under the right conditions.
Email: Satz@darkreign.ws
