Matra closes shop

Do we know WHY they're closing shop yet? I got the impression it was because they were being bullied online or something, but I've never seen anyone say anything but positive things about Matra. I hope they didn't let the words of a few bad eggs get to them, when so many of us love what they do and are happy to call ourselves regular customers of theirs!

-Tom

I'm super sad to see Matra go, they have been around for so long you may take them for granted. Thanks for all your hard work and best of luck on your future projects. You'll be missed!

It breaks my heart to see them go. Hopefully it is not for the reason wyrdwad mentions (i don't know why people would bully people online), but whatever the reasons it is sad they go. Hopefully they will remain part of the community in another way or in due time change their mind. Until that day, you will be missed.

Too bad news. I can hardly believe. Is it really true? (like I said that should be too bad) Or is this just an advertisement trick? Matra always has a funny way in doing adds/commercials.

Indeed, a great loss for all MSX programmers who wanted to see their projects in physical form without risking their money, and in general for the entire MSX scene. A very very sad day

yes, it realy is a shame that there are people who find pleasure in destroying other peoples passion, instead of working together and support each other. And don't get me wrong, it is okay if someone doesn't like the programs you are making, but instead of starting a slander compaign, just don't buy the software and leave it at that. Matra will be missed..

Let's not forget that Matra was the first to reintroduce releases on cartridge format, back in 2005 (everyone remembers Ink: Exxon Surfing?). That was really a big thing back then, it hadn't been done since the last major Japanese software manufacturers quit in the early 90s. Nowadays, cart releases have become commonplace and no-one thinks twice about it anymore. What if Matra hadn't started this? Grateful for what S.T.A.R and companions have brought to our scene.

I must say I really do not understand their goodbye text on their website. It's a little bit judgmental and seems to criticize the community for its lack of support. It does it in a reverse way, saying that Matra did not offer what the community was asking for. But still. Strange. Maybe there's something we're not aware of.

"After a few decades serving and offering a very huge amount of pleasures and dreams that have come true, you've done it. We apologize for having misunderstood you, we tried to build a better tomorrow you never asked for, we wanted to bright beauty where there wasn't. This is your world but not ours, we have no right to tell you what you want. You don't want us in your world, you don't want what we offered you. Our apologies. Our mistake. Our fault.

Give thanks to all those who have taught you to be who you are. They have achieved it, they have proved us wrong. You're his.

Our utopian playland is not enough for you and we must accept it, you deserve something else and they can give it to you since that is what you want.

It seems your pleasures were never our business."

I've no idea what's going on lately, but I wonder whether it's the same person Micromancers were fed up with? I thank matra for being great and friendly! I will definitely buy some things from them for the last time

I think if motivation is already waning, it is easy for an incident to be the last straw. Matra has been of great service to the community for many many years, so I can also imagine that some level of fatigue has set in. Either way it’s all speculation, and I have a lot of respect for their decision no matter what.

These are very sad news. They always had an excellent service, and high quality products.

Ghost wasn't a real blockbuster or Prisoners of War?

The message seems to say that the sales were disappointing. It doesn't surprise me even if the proposed product are good. Maybe the Matra would sell less custom cartridges. Make something more generic and on demand. Boxes and manuals are not always wanted. Sometime just a PDF is sufficient.

Bad new
Thanks MATRA for your excellents games

No!!!!!!! so I can't buy Ghost......so sad!!!

Very sad news. They will surely be missed by those who love and respect the scene & their efforts.

Conexión Podcast is published, so any change for me as a no es de habla hispana to get know more about the reasons?

Yes and don't forget your Dutch basic training 101 of course: unos paquetos papoeros papieras :)

Thanks for that summary!