Expansion Pack Time
 

Malfador recently mentioned in a chat session on #se4 that Space Empires V is a year or so off from release and that Malfador plans on releasing one more patch for Space Empires IV.

After the Patch is released would it not be nice if Malfador could produce for sale an Expansion pack for SEIV?

The Expansion pack could include such things as improved Modding tools, a scenario creator program that allows you to set specific triggers in order to make your scenarios more customizable, improvements not included in the patch but otherwise desired by the fan base, etc.

I know that if such an expansion pack was offered for sale, I would buy it and I want to know how many of you would as well. I mean why the hell not have an expansion pack for SE IV? The game is a good solid 4X game and has dominated the market since 2000. Gold was a Gold release, and not really an expansion pack per say, so one is over due.

Such as with the Gold Version of SEIV, the expansion pack could offer the latest Version of custom races, AI's, and etc.

And get this, the name Expansion Pack fits the 4x theme... Expansion... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

So what do you say, support this idea and who knows, perhaps Malfador and Shrapnel will consider the idea and give us a Space Empires IV Expansion Pack.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I like the Idea; it is the best way to deliver the images for all the new Ship Sets http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

It would be good to include the full game at the Last patch for those who do not use the Internet to its potential, and if the game is marketed thru EB or another outlet.

I also would buy this.

[ November 20, 2003, 17:50: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

if you need the expansion set to play a game via PBW then I am againsed it. do you know how long it took me to find IV gold here in New Zealand???
I dont have a credit card, and you can only direct credit paypal if
A) you have a credit card
B) you have an american bank acc

I happend to strike it lucky, a game shop I regurly cruse happend to have SE IV gold as a traid in.


I dont know how I am gona get my hands on SEV...

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

One problem is a lot of the shipsets out there are derivative and use material that is copyrighted and belongs to someone else. It's one thing to make fair use of this and modify it for yourself and offer it for download free to others, it's quite another to put it on a CD and start charging for it. But an expansion pack with 40 - 50 of the better quality, and more original, shipssets out there would be a fantastic idea.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Please do not forget to vote on the Pole as well.

The great thing is that if Malfador decided to do an expansion pack for sale, it would hopefully be a good boost to the development process for SE V.

About what Se5a said, hey I sypathize. But this is an issue that Shrapnel must address and hopefully over come. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

i voted for 'i don't know yet'. it would depend on what's in it, how much it would cost and wether or not it would delay se5 and by how much.

and personally, i don't count things i can download of the internet for free, like shipsets, as content.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Keep in mind that if MM makes an expansion pack for SEIV, it will delay the release of SEV.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I'd buy it, hopefully it'll have upgrades for all the mods as well included along with stronger ai for the races for Single player, yep, i'm for it

just some ideas Mac

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">May be may be not. Consider that anything used in the expansion pack could in turn be used for SE V.

Only Malfador really would know the answer to this concern.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

There is no maybe about it. If MM spends time working on SE4 Expansion, SE5 will be delayed. MM is only one person, after all. He can not work on two things at once. Some things from SF will possibly used in SE5. But, the making of SE5 has still been delayed tremendously because of SF's production. Not everything in SF (most of it, in fact) can be used for SE5. Same with a SE4 expansion.

[ November 20, 2003, 18:36: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

You make an excellent point as always Fyron, but SE V is a year and a half out, an expansion pack for SEIV would not delay it by much.

An expansion pack would continue to generate revenue for MM and help, hopefully, in funding a better SEV.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

i voted no.... I have already paid for the game twice... That is enough...

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Few (if any) games have given me as much playtime for my money as SEIV, so I'll pay again.

In fact, I'll take two !

One to play, and one to put unopened in the safe to sell as a collectors item when SEVIII strikes it big http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Good point Tesco, we all do not have to pay, we have most Downloads avail, however there are many expantion packs I have purchased that had a little extra.

Tropico exp1 and exp2, I have not purchased exp3 yet.
Civ 2 and 3 exp.
Imperialism II
Shogun
Many more when the price was right.

MM is doing the patch anyways, so it may not be much of a leap to go with a se4 Platinum expanded edition
Depending on the product; I would pre-pay up to 50$

[ November 20, 2003, 19:58: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Except that the Civ 3 expansions were not actually expansions, they were shady marketing tactics of cutting features from the original game specifically so they could rip off the fan base and sell them the game 2 or 3 times without ANY innovative ideas.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Any propsed Expansion Pack would have to have a lot more than pre-existing community Shipsets, modding tools, and scripting for me to shell out any money for it. Something major to double the lifespan of SEIV would have to be offered...

...Such as Multiple Galaxy generation & intergration. What could be cooler than to have an inter-spacial rupture appear a couple Systems out from your Homesystem that would lead to an entirely new Galaxy with entirely different Races than what you've already encoutered. It could be your gateway to a whole new territory of Colonization, or the pre-cursor to an invasion from another Galaxy (ala Speices 8472 in ST:Voyager).

For something like this Aaron would have to code the game to generate an additional Galaxy that would be completely AI managed. Multiple Galaxies could be generated to simulate popular scenarios, such as a Mirror Galaxy that duplicates everything in your Galaxy but with huge Evil Empire twists, an Organic Galaxy, and whatever else Aaron could concieve, and entirely new Tech Trees could be explored by entering these new Galaxies aswell.

This is something that could realisticly be accomplished, but time would be the crux. As Fyron says SE5 is next on the agenda, and I don't think any of us want to wait too long to get our hands on it, especially with the new graphics engine. Plus you'd have to think that Aaron would want to move onto something new aswell.

Now if Aaron would be open to taking an established programer or 3 under his wing and allow them access to the SEIV code (under a strict NDA-like agreement) for the purpose of developing the SEIV engine out further for commercial Expansion while Aaron works his magic on SEV, then...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

This probably won't happen, but we can all daydream http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Too the point,i voted YES,i would buy, no questions asked,well a few,as long as theres single player features and LIKE KATCHOO SAID;Something major to double the lifespan of SEIV would have to be offered...I also would like implemented;(A)Weapon Explosion damage range.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I am with Tesco. $100 for one game is the most I ever paid. Enough is enough. Bring on SEV! After all, we can wait while playing Starfurry http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

All this game needs is a campaign editor. Just make it, coupled with a better map editor, and you can sell it for $30, and it will sell.
TRIGGERS!

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I'll be just fine with the final patch (well, as long as what I want gets in there) and waiting for Space Empires V. It's time for a fresh start!

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

It would be nice, and it was a nice idea Atrocities, but no sale.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I understand tesco's point but,

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

An expansion pack for SEIV Gold, IMHO, should come in the shape of a Cable modem, not a CD.

I shelled out nearly 100$ Canadian to get SE4 Gold; I'm not willing to do that again.

But if Aaron did launch an expansion set, I certainly wouldn't be complaning. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I would prefer to pay $20-$30 for a cd, myself. I don't really mind what would be on it, but if there are to be any shipsets, make sure that they are all current with the latest patch. It's frustrating to d/l a race, only to find out that you have to update the race manually because it may have been created a patch or two before.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

My $.02...

AS long as MM continues to put out quality products that give me the best bang-for-my-buck out of any of the games I've ever played, I'll continue to buy whatever Version is current; expansion pack, gold, whatever.

I have NEVER been disappointed with my purchase of a MM title....

</$.02>

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

If I had $.02 I would spend it on the SE IV expansion pack.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

A scenario creator and better map editor together would be enough for me to spend some more 30-40 US $. For some major improvements of the AI too I would be willing to pay the same amount again.
SE IV is far from over for me.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I wonder if Malfador will chim in on this discussion?

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

If he will, I wil erase my negative post and pledge to buy the pack. That is asafe bet for I am a sucker and buy it anyway http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

I will wager a quarter that he will not post in this thread. That is a shame, as his import, pro or not would be most welcome. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

(Think pro, think pro)

Someone email him.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Q why not give people the ability to create their own map makers and scenario editors....

I am sure the modders would love that... SJ would whip up a program....

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

you know...
all we're asking for SEIVg expansion is promised to be in SEV. so we can just be patient. it will come in what a year? two? but with the expansion, it will come half a year later. so....

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

Unless Aaron chims in and says it will delay SE V, and by how much, I think it best not to speculate with such highly negative numbers as a half year or more delay.

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

It does not take any word from Aaron to realize that if he starts a new project, it will delay SEV... the more time spent on this expansion, the longer the delay for SEV will be. Same as with the new SEIV patch in the works; working on it delays SEV by a bit. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

here sev here we come... seiv is almost finished... One can only hope for source some time....

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You do love to rain upon my parade don't you?

Re: Expansion Pack Time
 

So when is SE5 expected to be released?

Well, according to this thread Space Empires V spotted , SE5 was on sale at Chips & Bits in October (Last month!). I just checked the Chips & Bits web site, and it now says "Space Empires V PC ... Out of Stock". Obviously this is a mistake!

According to this thread SEV - I posted beside Aaron and all I got was this T-shirt , Aaron said that SE5 is targetted to come out around the summer of 2004. But I guess the situation could have changed now, and it may be later...