Que alguien me lo traduzca correctamente por favor
escribió:Hi Guys,I can now disclose some background information on talks with the bigger slot manufacturers. After months of negotiations most have now stated they do not wish to have a global compatibility protocol as it is not in their financial interests. Most stated they wish to have a "advantage" over each other. I have emails as written proof of this. They do not see a global protocol as a way of making digital slot cars more popular. Im sure also they see Scorpius as a future threat and 3 out of the 4 now do not wish to follow up their verbal agreements in a legal licensing (written) agreement, which to be fair is their right.
I can confirm most of the companies wanted schematics and software details of Scorpius which I was not willing to supply. Having been in business for over 25 years I was not about to disclose anything other than "general" information. They seemed not too happy after this.
I can also confirm at least one of these companies is feeling the global financial crisis and are short on R & D funding.
One company is still deciding but really Im over it, but I did supply a rare once in a lifetime opportunity for these companies to form a common protocol (there is no other way to do it unless 3 out of the 4 drop their systems for the remaining, but this will not be happening) YET keep their existing protocols and keep their existing customers happy.
So I can confirm a global digital slot car protocol will never happen. Sad to say but true.
We see any company making their system Scorpius compatible as a way to boost their image as an enthusiasts system, increase track and LC sales, and pickup on accessories etc. They dont see it how I do.
Example enthusiast likes Scorpius, but knows Scorpius does not make cars, track systems or LCs. They see Scorpius however is compatible to company "A". Enthusiast then invests incompany "A"s track, cars, and LCs, then purchases over time Scorpius components, result a win/win situation.
As stated in another thread hardly any Scorpius presales rely on compatibility anyway and it seriously would have made for a lot of extra hardware costs, board space, licensing costs, contracts, paperwork, hassles etc etc. Also it doesnt really make sense for such a top end product to have to be compatible to toy systems that out of the box are not suitable for enthusiasts. In fact around 96% now of presales have all pre ordered Scorpius lane change electronics, which proves conclusively most are not keen to use the existing toy level LC electronics, so it wouldnt make sense to go to such extreme lengths, hassles, costs to satisfy just 4% of pre order customers. I do however apologise for any dissapointment caused to these loyal and keen enthusiasts. It would make more sense for these companies to make their product Scorpius compatible, not the other way round. Just my opinion.
If anyone is interested in SSD only compatibilty I suggest use the fantastic products by RichG, Riko and AndyS, PB Pro and Simple-H. As mentioned in another thread once Scorpius is released the Scorpius wireless controller can be integrated into this.
We see the Scorpius Lane Brain as far superior, offering many many functions and possibilities and really is the only difference, as dongle, controller and car chip would still be needed regardless. In fact the average number of Scorpius LB's is 8 units per pre sale order which equates to around $600AUD difference for an entire system, not a huge difference anyway. Plus you get massive difference in functionality.
I can also give a hint that I have been approached by a new company that is planning to make an entire new track system and cars for release in 2011 that will use the Scorpius system and will be available in box off the shelf or in seperate components, pre chipped cars etc, very exciting news. So these 4 companies will perhaps have a 5th player to compete with on the enthusiast level.
Another new company wants to bring out top end routed track systems at an affordable level and use exclusively Scorpius components.
Another company has proposed a touch screen control system for Scorpius, wireless, so a PC is not needed.
Stay tuned, lots happening behind the scenes.
Rick Field
ASCT