Below is an Interview I did with the owner of www.gooddealgames.com Michael Thomasson.

1. So Michael, as of late you have been releasing games for other systems
that have been dead for years. (ex:Sega CD,colecovision etc) What exactly
drove you to do something so innovative like this with your company?

Actually, I placed an advertisement in Video Magic back in 1993 looking for
individuals to help me create a new Colecovision game.  I received very few
responses which were form individuals that were interested in doing it, but
like me, didn't really know where to start.  Of course this was long before
the popularity of the internet, and the homebrew community that has evolved
over the last few years.  I like to think that I was ahead of my time, but
perhaps I was actually late since the Colecovision had been long surpassed
by the NES when I tried to resurrect it.


2. For the games you aquire the rights to, are they finished just not
released, or must they be finished and programmed to your liking?

While we do have programmers in-house at GDG, larger projects like our two
Sega CD releases are just too demanding for us to address the programming.
Many feel that game programming is the most difficult type of programming
there is, and messing around in someone elses work is even more difficult.
For Bug Blasters: The Exterminators and Star Strike, they were finished
products, so it worked out great.  We have been pursuing some unfinshed but
playable games for future release, but negotiations have not yet been
completed.

3. Do you do the actual programming aspect or do others in you company?
If you do, how did you get started in the business?

While I used to be a programmer, all three languages that I was trained on
are now long dead.  I personally do all the hmtl programming for the site,
but that is no great feat.  Tony Cord of GDG programs all of our Online
Arcade games that are playable on the Good Deal Games website, and Marcel
DeKogel programs our original Colecovision titles.

4. Between Bug Blasters, and Star Strike which game in your opinion has
the edge, in fun and overall gameplay and why.

Both games are very similar, as they are both target shooting type games.
I'm a big science fiction fan, so I lean towards Star Strike.  I'm a 3D
animator by day, so the 3D animation in Star Strike appeals to me, as well.
However, Bug Blasters: The Exterminators is very funny, so the humor draws
most people in and that is why that title is probably more popular than Star
Strike.  Bug Blasters is really easy, so more people can enjoy more of the
game.  Star Strike is very difficult, so if you like a good challenge, that
is your game.


5. I also keep reading yours and other sites about a Sega CD game your
looking to release called Wing Nuts, which you always say is the best of the
three. Any new info on the game or even a tentative release date?

While we have the publishing rights to this game, it may never come to
fruition.  It is a relatively unknown fact that we uncovered copies of Star
Strike and Bug Blasters from a source other than the original developer.  As
a matter of fact, they did not even have copies of their own games.  With
the project never getting published, changes in staff, and everchanging
market conditions and focus, the game source code was never backed up by the
developer.  Fortunately, copies do get around in small numbers to testing
groups, magazine reviewers, et cetera.  Good Deal Games actually supplied
Stargate Films copies of their own games after we negotiated a license.  At
the time, we negotiated for all three titles, including Wing Nuts.  While we
didn't have a copy, they did.  We probably made the announcement a bit
premature, because when their copy of Wing Nuts arrived, it turned out to be
a version for the PC computer.  So, if anyone out there has a copy of Wing
Nuts in any form, please contact us!  As a matter of fact, if you have an
unreleased game please contact us, as aquisition of a game is often the
first step to getting a new title released.

6. Is GoodDealGames an actual physical company where you have to wake up
at 7 and meet at "the office". Or is it a soley online based company?

All the staff at GDG works on a volunteer basis.  No one has ever taken a
single penny from the organization.  All income goes directly to support the
entity, such as simple operating costs, internet fees, and of course
licensing and releasing new titles for our favorite antiquated systems.
While I used to operate a chain of videogame stores in the past, I chose to
go back into animation and leave retail.  As a matter of fact, GDG wasn't
even planned.  I had met so many wonderful and nice gamers over the years at
my game stores, that once I left, they continued to contact me when they
were looking for particular items.  Eventually I was so exhausted form
answering questions, that I put my game inventory online so they could see
for themsleves if I had an item or not.  One thing led to another, and now
the world is a better place :-)  So, no it is not a brick and mortar store,
and we all operate it in our spare time away from our full-time places of
employment.

7. People always down FMV games, I know in my opinion they're one of my
favorite kind of games. Did you have an interest in FMV games before you got
into these unreleased Sega CD games?

Some would ahamed to say this, but I do enjoy the fmv format.  However, I
really like shooting games, and Bug Blasters & Star Strike actually fall
into both categories.  Since releasing them, we have been commended by many
for releasing them.  Despite what the magazines say, I can personally tell
you that there are A LOT of individuals that like full-motion-video games.
We literally have stacks and stacks of letters and hundreds of e-mails
stating this fact.  Personally, I was sad to see fmv die.  I understand that
it doesn't appeal to everyone, but that's okay.  Why not let those that do
enjoy it be able to play those type of games.  I never really understood the
attacks that the format received.

8. Is it easier to program with FMV, like make an action happen with a
button press, or easier with actual sprites and normal video game graphics?

While I am not the best person to ask, my personal programming experience
suggests that IF/AND/OR logic is much simpler for fmv games than the
standard sprite programmed game.

9. How much work goes into releasing these games?

A great deal!  Since this was never released, only the game program existed.
GDG had to create the manual and packaging, including all of the artwork.
Since I'm a professional artist, I was able to create the logotypes,
illustrations, 3D models, et cetera.  Plus, countless hours of testing to
ensure program stability was involved.

10. What's your favorite video game system and why?

The Colecovision is my first love, so to speak, and I find myself visiting
it often.  I do feel that it has the most diverse library of any system,
with only the Dreamcast coming close in terms of consistant high-quality
software.  Obviously I have a love for Sega, and have always felt that the
Sega CD was an underated piece of enginering.

I think that what I want to stress the most, is that GDG is not primarily a
game store, but a FULL GAMING COMMUNITY!  Sure, we have sales that help the
cause, but that isn't what Good Deal Games is all about.  We are fans and
hobbyists, and it is our love of the medium that motivates us.  We have WGDG
Video Game Radio that plays Videogame Music complete with classic gaming
commercials, Interviews with Programmers & Developers, Game Crossword
Puzzles and Word Searches, our popular Comic Strip 'Our Princess is in
Another Castle', an Online Arcade where you can play games wihtout any
quarters, Chat, Send game Postcards to your friends, Informative Articles
and How-To documents, News, a Collectors List, Release Lists, Links, and
more...  MUCH MORE!    All Videogame Related!

I really appreciate you being able to answer these questions for
www.segacduniverse.cjb.net I hope to keep in touch =)

Of course!

Cheers,
Michael Thomasson
www.GoodDealGames.com