Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by tesco samoa:
For the new one. I will not be requesting the rebate. But I ask that the 15$ goes towards SEIV#5 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif or to keep this great site going. It will be my way of saying thank you very much for the many,many hours spent with your products and and at your web site. And thanks for the 5 dollars off<hr></blockquote>

And I thought I was the only one who thought of that!!! Darn, now you ruined how special I was gonna be! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Hey, I thought of that too. . .

But there may not ever be an SE5! MM might make a different game first, or something.

How about a free postage rebate instead?

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Tim, Atrocities has a good point, if I send you the money to have gold addition put and shipped in
a jewel case, would you do so? I'll be glad to pay the extra cost or even send you a blank one. The US mail is not the greatest for using care with the mail.

just some ideas mac

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

I'm going to reach a ways back in this thread and answer a point that someone made (too lazy to find the right person now, and don't want to make this personal anyway):

Regarding how unfair it is that we law-abiding citizens who actually buy the real game end up paying extra to cover the cost of pirated/stolen/etc. Versions: EVERY SINGLE THING you buy has this hidden cost added in. Every store (both brick & mortar and Internet) adds a certain amount to the cost of each item to cover the losses due to theft. Shoplifting from brick & mortar stores leads to that store raising prices to cover the losses, just as pirating leads to software companies raising prices to cover losses. Some places are just more honest about this practice than others.

Just an observation.

BTW - regarding the rebate offer: since I live in the US, it's not a terrible hardship to send a copy of my CD back, so I'm not terribly bothered by the idea. Especially since I don't have to send it back until I get the new CD, which will replace the old one (I don't do PBEM or PBW, so the "original" Version wouldn't do much for me). But I can see how it would be a hassle for non-US players, and I sympathize. I wish I had an answer that would help the situation.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

I am waiting to order my SEIV Gold when the mouse pads come out. My old mouse pad is plain blue and getting beat up pretty good. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

To Malfador Machinations:

I am also dedicating my $15 rebate to Malfador in the hopes it will continue to allow them to produce such a high quality product with such great support. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

To anyone who thinks they are getting ripped off:

Name me a game that you get such great support and playability for the price and I will request my $15 rebate and mail it to you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>I am waiting to order my SEIV Gold when the mouse pads come out.<hr></blockquote>

You can pre-order the mouse pads right now, in fact you save $2.50 (I think) if you order now. If anyone wants a mousepad that already pre-ordered SEIV Gold, send me an e-mail @tbrooks@shrapnelgames.com with Mouse Pad Order in the subject line and I will galdly add it to your existing order and charge the credit card for the SEIV Gold order - then they will ship together with no additional S&H charges.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Tim, Atrocities has a good point, if I send you the money to have gold addition put and shipped in a jewel case, would you do so?<hr></blockquote>

Uhh, guys it would be a nightmare to do this and really unnecessary. The size of this manual will be aroung 150 pages (maybe more) and will weigh in at approximately .65 lbs. This is very similar to RuneSword II for those that ordered that game. If it is damaged in shipping, then a jewel case would also get damaged in shipping.

[ 08 December 2001: Message edited by: Tim Brooks ]</p>

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

150 pages. Wow this brings me back to the pre 1994 computer games when you always received a manual with 100 pages or more. And if their was not enough info to fill the manual then they with plug it with pictures.

I love manuals. I have kept all the good ones. Aces games, janes games, Empire etc...

That is the one thing I miss about most of the games published today. Bad or poor manuals. ( I understand about the costs etc... ) but it is like buying a pack of cards with no gum.

Ahh rant of the day done. Lets see what is #2 on the list of things to do today is...........
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thanks for the manual. Is their any cool tech poster to hang up on my basement wall. I have a space reserved for it between the Star Control 2 star map and the Wing commander 4 star map.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

my wife told me she will get it for me for xmas, but it will be by check,(she doesn't like using CC's,

What all will be in the manual, any help there for us non modders to be able to start tinkering around with modding,?

just some ideas mac

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Mac their is a great article about modding at cgOnline

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

TS, tks for the info, I'll have a look, I would like to try some modding but as a newbie in that area I would like to have an idea what I'm doing or at least some guidelines.. tks again

just some ideas mac

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Hey Mac it would be great to see you start modding. You're always contributing great ideas with the prefix "I'm not a modder, but...". I reckon you'd be a good modder=-)

I mean I'm not a modder, but I have been tinkering. I found a great place to try things out is the crazy outa control thread - you can add just a few elements without having to worry too much about balance or creating an entire mod. Just post "I got it", download the mod then copy / paste a few things the standard game and tweak the values. I think it's a brilliant place for mod noobs like us.

[ 14 December 2001: Message edited by: dogscoff ]</p>

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Tks Dogscoff, I've been a wargamer for many yrs (my age is showing) and even designed some board wargames over the years with friends, but never tried modding on computer games, just never had the time and have to share my computer with my two sons, but I would like to try, problem is I'm still not all that knowledgeable with computers in this area so it'll be slow until I know my way around. I've learned a lot just by reading the threads by the modders on this forum like SJ, Atrocities, Memphisto and the rest. But I am going to give it a shot, I hope if I ask some stupid questions in this area everyone will have patience with me. I'm tking some vac over holidays so hopefully I'll start tinkering around. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

just some ideas mac

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Hey Tim,

I think soon you should start setting down what you think is going to be best Idea for getting people's rebates. We're all milling around talking to our selves at the moment, a little overpowing descision making might be nice.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Please?

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

You guys at Shrapnel should consider making SEIV Gold downloadable with a unique per system activation code based on system information. This would make SEIV much harder to pirate. Make the game good for two to seven days without an activation code so people can try out the full fledged Version (no need for a separate demo).

I would even suggest that you make activation codes work for only one year, so we have to buy it each year. The annual fee would serve both you and your customers. It would encourage you to keep developing the game and to fix bugs while giving you a continual cash flow each year to fund further development and bug fixes.

Before anyone complains about annual licensing, how many games other than SEIV are you still playing daily after one year? You certainly get your money's worth out of it do you not? (Actually, I play Stars almost every day, but it is the same kind of game as SEIV).

Another advantage to annual licensing is you can make the game continually upgradable instead of coming out with separate Versions. That way, people who buy it just before the next release comes out will not feel cheated (as some of the recent SEIV Standard purchases have expressed on this forum).

Making it downloadable would also make it easier to distribute: Smaller Distribution costs. Allow people to cut CDs to give to their friends still in 56/28.8K hell. Setup your website to enter a credit card and a response code based on system information and give them an activation code instantly (email one too if they want a second record of it).

Make the manual PDF format so anyone can print it with Acrobat Reader (which is free). Make the manual downloadable too. In other words, but all your money into development (OK, not all, but more. Some has to go in your pockets, we understand you have to eat sometimes). Why waste money on CDs and Printed Manuals. I bet many players do not load the CD everytime they play the game. The only reason to load it is to play the music which gets old after a few hundred hours.

If players want you to cut a CD for them, then charge them a minimal fee for making it and shipping it (it is a Demo until they call and register it or access your website). Likewise, let them buy manuals if they want one.

I for one would like to see more money going to on going development than for production runs.

You could even offer a perpetual license that never expires (until the machine does). Then when you decide to stop supporting the game (and relicensing it), make one Last patch that takes out the licensing requirement so that we can continue to enjoy it as shareware.

[ 18 December 2001: Message edited by: LGM ]</p>

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

"Activation" is not a good idea IMO. Aside from the bandwith requirements, activation-required games are EASILY cracked, and I do not like the idea of paying rent for a game. (Online-only games being an exception, but I expect a hell of a lot more from them for that money, as well)

Phoenix-D

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
"Activation" is not a good idea IMO. Aside from the bandwith requirements, activation-required games are EASILY cracked, and I do not like the idea of paying rent for a game. (Online-only games being an exception, but I expect a hell of a lot more from them for that money, as well)

Phoenix-D<hr></blockquote>


But you are paying rent. 2003's will be called Platinum. Unles you pay 2002's rent (Known as SEIV Gold) you will never get the fix for the player order bug which renders multi-player play
unfair.

What is easier: Copying a CD or cracking an activation code? If an activation code system gets cracked, they can modify it on subsequent releases.

[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: LGM ]</p>

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> 2003's will be called Platinum. <hr></blockquote>

Actually, Richard already promised that there wouldn't be an SEIV Platinum.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Spoo:


Actually, Richard already promised that there wouldn't be an SEIV Platinum.<hr></blockquote>

SEIV Depleted Uranium?

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

"But you are paying rent. 2003's will be called Platinum."

Eh-eh. See, my copy of SE4 doesn't STOP WORKING because I didn't buy gold http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

The player-order problem can be gotten around in other ways, one of which is making it into my mod. (i.e. ships don't die as fast)

Phoenix-D

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

does the fact that SE Gold is coming out mean that there will be no more patches after 1.49?

sounds like a cunning way to get another £50 from all the die hard fans to me!

Yours

The Eternal Cynic

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

The gold will have patchs. The standard most likely will not.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Actually sounds like a way to keep Malfador and Shrapnel from going out of business.

I wish we could support titles forever but with the way the U.S. economy is and slow sales that just isn't possible.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Growltigga:

sounds like a cunning way to get another £50 from all the die hard fans to me!

Yours

The Eternal Cynic<hr></blockquote>

Let's see, Other games that went gold and you had to buy, they also offered rebates if you sent the orginal cd back.

SimCity 3000 (SimCiy 3000 gold) Had to buy to get new features.

Civ2 (Civ 2 Gold)

Ages of Empires Gold

I am sure I can find others out there if I looked around.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Richard:
Actually sounds like a way to keep Malfador and Shrapnel from going out of business.

<hr></blockquote>

Absolutely a fair comment, don't get me wrong, I certainly dont begrudge any new SEIV product and will certainly buy the gold edition when it comes out - being in the UK however, buying overseas tends to get expensive when you add in import duty and the like - it is a pity there are no ways round that

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dracus:


Let's see, Other games that went gold and you had to buy, they also offered rebates if you sent the orginal cd back.

SimCity 3000 (SimCiy 3000 gold) Had to buy to get new features.

Civ2 (Civ 2 Gold)

Ages of Empires Gold

I am sure I can find others out there if I looked around.<hr></blockquote>

There are probably loads, the 'Gold' branding generally seems to imply 'a few new features and incompatible with the existing game'.

I think MM should break the mold and not call it SE Gold, I do like the Depleted Uranium/Tungsten concept but how about 'Space Empires Tupperware edition'?

If this were the case, I doubt Dogscoff would have 'Dogscoff can't wait to go tupperware'at the bottom of his postings

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Geee.....I hope it works out......I just ordered it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Tim,

I don't mean to be crass here, but when you say you'll include the original SEIV, with gold, "provided there's space left on the CD...", I think -- "What, you mean if you can fit it in between all the demos and free space"??

Why in the world would you add that little disclaimer in, KNOWING that the original SEIV is only about a 150 megs, INSTALLED?

Also, while this game is TERRIFIC, I can tell you that I would not even consider purchasing GOLD, if PBW weren't in existance. (And I won't, if they don't come back..) While I haven't searched these forums thoroughly, I can't say that I've seen SG publicly support PBW, anywhere.

Maybe SG should consider donating a server to those guys, for all their hard work.

Forgive me if I'm totally out of line, I know that there must be some level of cooperation between all of you, but I just don't see the support from SG that I'd like to see, given to PBW.

--Ed Moser
Cincinnati, OH

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

SG and MM you do what you have to do to stay in business. I will support you by buying your good games.

And to 1FSTCAT I do not think your request is out of line.

You may speek truthfully on these forums. It is a good suggestion. I look forward to reading the answer.

Take care. (Oh When is the shipping date for gold http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif )

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

The CD has already music on it, too, and -most important- a whole lot of MODs. Actually the CD is quite full at the moment so we will have to see if the original SE4 will still fit on top of it.
And the PBW crew is strongly supported by SG and MM, MM even fixed some problems that we unique to the PBW server and released this Version to the boys over there IIRC. Without a thorough search done by me I can point you to www.malfador.com where the official support for the PBW people by MM is published.
There is going a lot of things behind the scenes and we the beta testers and PBW guys (I’m only a beta tester) really cannot complain about lacking support by SG nor MM. :-)

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 1FSTCAT:
I don't mean to be crass here, but when you say you'll include the original SEIV, with gold, "provided there's space left on the CD...", I think -- "What, you mean if you can fit it in between all the demos and free space"??
Why in the world would you add that little disclaimer in, KNOWING that the original SEIV is only about a 150 megs, INSTALLED?
Also, while this game is TERRIFIC, I can tell you that I would not even consider purchasing GOLD, if PBW weren't in existance. (And I won't, if they don't come back..) While I haven't searched these forums thoroughly, I can't say that I've seen SG publicly support PBW, anywhere.<hr></blockquote>

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

As far as a server goes for PBW, we actualy considered it for a time. the problem is a dedicated server for PBW would be expensive. As it is due to our popularity we will be purchasing out SECOND dedicated server shortly due to stress placed on the main one.

I would not mind donating a server in the future but only once we can survive as a company, 9/11 and the after effects ALMOST put us and many game companies out of business. But we have weathered the storm and plan to have a really strong year in 2002.

Oh and the PBW guys aren't lying, we have supported them and they have in turn (with the modders) supprted us with exhaustive work on modding and helping us put together the mods to go on the CD. Without each other I doubt the final game would have come together so quickly.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Hmm. If the original SE4 won't fit on the CD..maybe as a mod? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Not that would actually work, mind, becuase the Version numbers would make it incompatable with non-gold buyers, defeating the point of standard SE4.

Phoenix-D

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

"Hmm. If the original SE4 won't fit on the CD..maybe as a mod?"

The main files that take up alot of the space for the game would be the graphics and sound files wouldnt they?

The component graphics and others would generally be the same from 1.49 to gold, so perhaps if the orginal SE4 install program is modified to install the same graphics and sounds as SE4 Gold then perhaps they can both fit on the CD, and still let people play against older SE4 Versions on PBW, or by email

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Perhaps a reverse-patch would do?

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Thanks for clearing that stuff up. I wasn't aware that gold would be shipping with mods, and I just plain FORGOT about the music tracks! DUH!! (I guess that's because I don't play with the music..)

How about a nifty X-Box-like feature that would play MP3's off my hard drive, instead of the game music. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

-Ed

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

The music doesn't actually get loaded on the hard drive. The game plays different tracks from the CD in different situations. Someone posted here once that they played the game once with a music CD in the drive (You don't have to have the SE4 CD in it) and it played that music. That's kind of what you are wanting no? Doesn't work for MP3's. but maybe you could burn a CD with your favorite MP-3's and use that while you play SE4. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>The game plays different tracks from the CD in different situations. Someone posted here once that they played the game once with a music CD in the drive (You don't have to have the SE4 CD in it) and it played that music.<hr></blockquote>Not only does the game play whatever music tracks are on the CD in the drive, but there's a section of Settings.txt where you can reprogram which tracks are played and when. I currently have mine set up to play Thus Spake Zarathustra (aka "Dawn" theme from the film _2001_) over the Intro screen. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

The program runs into problems if the CD in the drive has fewer tracks than the highest track number you've put in Settings.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Just to ask, haven't read the full post.
How does rebate work when i order (if possible as i have done so with se4) through chips and bits via a friends credit card ?
thanks for any reply.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

Since you are sending in the original CD for the rebate that is your proff of purchase so to speak. And fo such reasons (C&B) that is why we can't just go by order numbers.

Re: SEIV GOLD Rebate
 

thanks for the info. :-))
will defineatly consider buying.
depends on shipping cost vs rebate.