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