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Hey I just found a site where you can buy Gold Rush … I’m pretty sure they still have copies and its interesting none-the-less.
Link: http://www.softwarefarm.com/gr_home.htm(http://www.softwarefarm.com/gr_home.htm)
Ken could you give some input into why this game is being published by another company? Thanks.
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(re: Gold Rush) Ken could you give some input into why this game is being published by another company? Thanks.
I have no idea. It’s possible that these guys purchased some old inventory.
I do remember that the authors (Ken McNeil(?), and his brother(?)) kept trying to get the rights back so that they could sell the game themselves. In a large company, it’s hard to make money selling a product that only sells a few hundred copies a month, or even fewer. Whereas for Sierra there wasn’t enough interest in Gold Rush to keep it on the price list, for the authors it could be worthwhile to sell the product themselves. The McNeils were constantly after me to let them sell the product themselves, and my remembrance is that I gave them permission. Most publishers wouldn’t. I’m aware of another author who is currently asking for the rights to sell one of his/hers products that Sierra hasn’t sold in years, and can’t get them (Sierra) to agree. As a former publisher, I understand both sides of this issue.
-Ken W -
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They answer. It just takes an incredibly long time. I got a response from the wife of one of the MacNeill Bros.
Hello Jim,
Yes, Gold Rush is still available. Yes, you have “found” Doug. I am his wife and have passed your kind words along to him, and he shared them with Ken.
If you would like to order Gold Rush, e-mail me. [Prices, niceties, etc.]
Thanks for contacting us.
Carol MacNeill
—– Original Message —–
From: Larimore, Jim
To:service@softwarefarm.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:55 AM
Subject: Still selling Gold Rush!?I’m an old school Sierra game fan and Gold Rush! is one of my favorites. Are you still selling this? Any are you guys (the sellers) the designers Doug and Ken? If so, you rock.
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Thanks for that info Jim (and for your other posts too, good stuff), that’s really good to hear – as I’ve tried contacting them before on several matters on behalf of a number of people around here but didn’t get a reply. I will have to email again when I’ve got my stuff newly organized. I also intended to buy their collector’s box thing and I’ll just have to do that soon!
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I thought you guys might be interested to hear that in this follow-up email I received it is implied that the repackaged game was actually modified slightly. I’ve ordered and will let you guys know if there are actually any changes I consider major. (whether good or bad)
“Hi Jim,
The Collector’s Edition Gold Rush is packaged in a very nice wooden box.
Doug hand-made each box and created the artwork which is hand-printed
(silk-screened) on each one. He only made about 250 of these and there are no plans to make any more, so the supply of these are limited. There is a color, poster-sized map showing the routes to California during that period (the same map included in the original game with minor changes). There is a new User’s Guide with helpful hints, and the pre-game story of Jake and Jerrod. The booklet you referred to in your last e-mail is not included since the original game’s copy protection scheme was removed. There were many minor graphics and textual changes made to improve the playability.
You may not even notice the changes, but Doug and Ken made these changes based on the years of feedback they received from players.If you would like to purchase one, our preferred method of payment is paypal; it is easy and fast. I will send an invoice for you through paypal, and if you choose not to purchase a game just disregard the invoice. I usually ship orders the day that payment is received, or the next day if the order comes in toward the end of the day or on a weekend. If you order and aren’t happy with what you get, you can return it, less postage.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Carol”
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