Re: "XG update" - anyone wants to chime in?

[Simon Woodhead]

What Tim said. Great opportunity for gnubg. The engine is sound, just
needs a compete UI overhaul. And yes, I know that's not trivial.

        -Simon.

On 14/07/2023 9:03 pm, Timothy Y. Chow wrote:

> Øystein Schønning-Johansen wrote:
> 
>> I think the price indication of the IPR is a bit high. (I guess Xavier
>> reads this)
> 
> It might be high, but I don't think that's necessarily the right way to
> calculate it.  First of all, if Xavier doesn't find a buyer, I don't
> think he loses too much.  So he might as well start high and work his
> way down. Secondly, what I think he's (rightly) counting on is that the
> value of XG isn't based solely on how much revenue will be generated by
> sales.  XG has managed to establish itself as a standard in the BG
> community.  The BMAB relies on it.  Various national backgammon
> organizations implicitly rely on it to a greater or a lesser degree. 
> They may be willing to pay something just to keep XG alive, even if they
> don't derive any revenue from sales.  Now you might argue that something
> like the BMAB could keep XG alive in a container, on artificial life
> support as it were, even if operating systems evolve to the point where
> XG no longer runs on them. That's probably true, but it's definitely a
> nuisance, and again, the BMAB might be willing to pay something for that.
> 
> Of course, GNU Backgammon is a potential competitor, perhaps now more
> than ever.  This might be an opportune time for GNU Backgammon
> developers to get their act together and initiate discussions with the
> BMAB and various national backgammon federations.  If said organizations
> are seriously considering ponying up serious cash to buy XG, not for the
> expected revenue stream but for the "service role" it plays, then GNU
> Backgammon developers could potentially negotiate a deal whereby they
> offer equivalent services for less money.  The underlying engine of GNU
> might not be quite as good as XG, but I think it's close.
> 
> Tim