From: pbeardow@fluffybits.superscape.com (Paul Beardow)
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: Superscape & VRML Tutor
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 09:59:20 GMT
Message-ID: <344b26a3.5194947@news-reader.bt.net>
Organization: Superscape VR plc


>Has anybody read the latest issue of VR News (this is not a plug for
>Mike Bevan's Mag) about Superscape problems with turnover?
>
>It seems that they need to double their turnover over the next couple
>of years in order to go on otherwise they just go under.

<...deletion...>

A quick look at our web page (http://www.superscape.com) would show
you that we are releasing two new packages in the new year for
internet 3D world creation which are both under $1000 - with one Do3D
being under $100 for the home market. Both work with VRML and SVR file
formats and so will our new browser Viscape Universal due for launch
in February at VRML 98.

I am personally very confident about Superscape's future (or I
wouldn't be working here!) as are a lot of other people - our stock
price nearly doubled over the last two weeks and we announced a major
bundling deal with Britek, but there is a limit to how much we can say
- we are a public company and have to take a responsible approach to
our marketing. We had a tough time last year as did a lot of companies
who didn't survive, but we have come back with a vengence and this is
mainly due to the fact that we learnt our lessons and have a solution
that works. We have also taken a much more pro-active approach to VRML
and will do so with any other emerging technology, like Java 3D.

I have seen ThemeKit and tried the demo, but it isn't in the same
market as us - it is DOS-based and there is no internet browser so web
pages cannot be developed with it, but I have to agree, it is very
good for the price with some nice touches in it. 

>Could it be that nowadays VR/E needs these 'guys'
>which are small, slim and attentive rather than big, fat and
>friendless 'fat cats' companies? ):O~ (<- a fat cat)

Hey - there's only 80 of us! Big and fat - I think not! Friendless is
also untrue, I always get a really good welcome from developers and
other companies - what we need is a good working relationship with
everyone - the potential market for 3D is big enough for many
companies to do well in. VR/E needs solutions that work every time,
not techological fantasies. Those companies that can deliver
professional grade tools to professional developers are the ones who
will do well over the next years. It goes without saying that
Superscape are one of those companies.


=================================================
Paul Beardow pbeardow@superscape.com
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/1555