The Dan Farr post dlk30341 mentions definitely hinted that they may think again as regards an upgrade path for Bryce5.5. Which just goes to show the benefit of customer bitching and moaning and ranting as a useful strategy over acolyte/apostle faith and fawning admiration. Sufficient numbers of long established Bryce users looking to move to Vue5 will raise more of a blood pressure response at DAZ than the usual suspects humping their corporate leg.

But having said that, although DAZ does listen to customers, in the end they will go most with a strategy that works for them (and quite properly; as a business they'd be mental to do anything else). So far, the strategy that works for DAZ is what I referred to above as 'endlessly selling shit'. The term 'shit' in this irreverent context means 'stuff', not 'crap' - I should have made that very clear (slap me now). DAZ makes bloody excellent 'shit' most of the time.

For example, the Victoria3 figure (base plus morphs) is absolutely fantastic. It's so good that DAZ has sold it many times over, in the form of Michael3, Stephanie3 and David (plus the Freak), to willing but relatively 'unsophisticated' customers. Those 'add-on' items cost as much (or damn near) as Victoria3 itself, yet there was very little about them that couldn't have been done as 'character' updates to Victoria3. Those of us who investigated the male option of Victoria3 (including paying money to DAZ...) know that there is nothing special about Michael3, etc, at all...

And the above paragraph of 'Poser' twaddle is presented to show my concerns about DAZ owning Bryce, and why I think their ownership will probably present such a radical change to Bryce as to, er, 'render' it a very different prospect to what most of us 'established' users are familiar with.

What I am suggesting is that DAZ is very likely indeed, based on its previous actions, to frequently offer quite limited improvements to Bryce whilst charging the full whack for them. The so-called "5.5 version" is a case in point. It should be obvious that this is an extremely humble update. Yet it is clear that DAZ expects, based on its previous experience with 'Poser' users, to be able to charge rather a lot of money for it (30 dollars off of what exactly?).

And they may well be able to do so. If enough of their current ('Poser') customer base takes up Bryce, then they will have little need to pay attention to the established Bryce user base that expects a more 'traditional' route to product development. If enough of the 'doll collectors' (buyers of endless shit) adopt Bryce, then it's the end for the rest of us.

It's no good protesting that DAZ have 'rescued' Bryce if all they've done is take it in a direction that few of 'us' want it to go in.

Militant agitation is what is needed to make the 'traditionalist' case. DAZ is used to some (but not sufficient) of its 'Poser' customers being a little bit reactionary at times. What 'we' need to do is make them realise that we are completely fcking insane when it comes to people fcking with our beloved 3D application.

Blind faith by those enthused by 'backroom' promises isn't going to cut it.

Winning the case over the upgrade path to Bryce5.5 is the first and primary battle, and as such is absolutely vital to the future of Bryce. If DAZ gets away with its usual practises, we're screwed for the future. Stand up NOW for DAZ adopting the normal pricing strategy for Bryce upgrades.

Or lose Bryce to the 'doll collectors'.