anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Since the demo is not out yet, still being tested and all that jazz...I have an important question (at least important to me at any rate):

Is Dom2 still on schedule to be shipped October 30th? or is it now later?

(Pre-ordered customer btw)

Thanks,

Chris

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

I don't have any hard and fast info for you, but I can say that, from what I've seen, things are still on schedule. I don't know if anything's being held up beyond my level (like if the printer is in slo-mo mode or something) but everything seems good to go from my humble Editing Parrot perspective.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

thanks, all i needed to hear....hopefully, we will have the demo on our hard drives later today

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

WOOT! DEMOOOOOOOO! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

That would be nice....since i have the next 2 days off work...oh the dominions bliss....IF they release it anytime soon

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

I understand the uncertainty, but it would be nice to know if we can expect the demo this week/in the next couple of days, or not until next week (or even later).

I mean, will the demo definitely come out after the Gold announcement later this week? Are people way off for thinking it will be out in the next couple of days?

This would be nice to know - please speak to when the demo will arrive specifically.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

i could swear that i read somewhere that the demo was expected on the 17th, but sadly, the 17th has come and gone....

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually I believe the statement you're thinking about was that the demo would probably come out between the 17th and the end of the month - so we're still within range.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">17th month of the year?

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">17th month of the year? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There's only 12...
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Hi All:

We won't know for sure until all pieces are in. My understanding is that this will happen this week. At that time, we will have firm timeframes, although that doesn't rule out printing / duplicating / shipping delays. But, we will announce GOLD with a shipping date we fell comfortable with as soon as all the pieces are in our shop.

Hope that helps.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Ok but the demo will be released today? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

lol @ DominionsFAN.
You are always whining about the demo. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Just wait and you will have it!

((PS. Where is that bLasted demo! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ))

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

my question is still this:

Are things actually on schedule?

The manual is not been sent to printing yet (at least that is what it sounds like, if the manual is still being edited)...

They are still testing the demo (or, are they also testing the release Version too...)

In the newsGroups, the Version is reported as being 2.02 (i believe), and that it is assumed that this will be the same Version as released and demo Version....so, that would lead me to believe that the game itself hasn't gone gold yet (??)

Don't get me wrong, if there is more time needed for the game to get more perfected...fine....just please don't wait until the 30th to tell us....

ok, enough complaining now....i just hate waiting for a pre-order, then find out 2 days after the shipping date that the game has been delayed another month

EDIT: Just wanted to make sure that you guys at shrapnel are appreciated by me, as far as publishers go....WAY too often a game is pushed out the door before it is ready, and then the publishers get their initial payload of money from it, then drop it like a bad habit (MOO3 anyone?)....so, if the game still needs some refining, by all means, refine....all I am asking is let us know what is going on....many have waited years for this one...

[ October 21, 2003, 18:48: Message edited by: cpbeller ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

The game's code went gold on the 10th and the testing of the release candidate was completed at that point. The demo was then compiled based on that gold-code and is what is being tested now; so far, there haven't been any bugs or other problems reported. We've come up with a few things for future patches (such as the change in how Fire and Flee affects exiting troops) but that's been it since the Last Version, the one that went gold.

The manual's final readthrough will be finished this afternoon and it will be submitted to Shrapnel later today (or possibly tomorrow morning because of the time difference between the US and Sweden), and the spells and item listings have been finished for awhile. There may be some pre-print formatting left to do on the files, but I'm not sure on that score.

With all that in place, I don't think there will be any delays unless they happen at the printer or there is something I don't know about. I'm not privy to any scheduling stuff, but there hasn't been any talk of delay anywhere my Editing Parrot beak has led me.

(Edited for grammar an' stuff)

[ October 21, 2003, 20:04: Message edited by: Psitticine ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thank you....that is the info i was looking for....all of it has come together, and that makes sense with what you said....thanks....i won't bother you anymore about release dates then....

Thanks again

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thanks for the reply Psitticine [cpbeller articulated the question, but I had the same question]. It is very hard to interpret the various comments made about 'pulling things together' and such - so thanks for some details.

2 questions for those 'in the know':

1. (not so important): why wasn't it announced on Shrapnel's site when the game went gold? several other games have had this announced - not having it announced was something of a cause for concern for some.

2. (a little more important): when can we expect the demo? is there a reason why it takes more than 10 days from the time the code went gold? are you sitting on the demo for some reason?

N.B. I ask these questions with respect, trying not to sound accusatory at all - just looking for info. Forgive me if I sound impatient - I am eager to try the game out. I echo cpbeller's statement that if the game or demo thereof is delayed for some worthy reason that's just fine with me - better a later product that is high quality than a sooner one that is low quality. I just would like to know what's happening.

[ October 21, 2003, 20:08: Message edited by: st.patrik ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Ok guys I think we should stop whining about the demo.
We will have it very soon I am pretty sure, so asking for it all day won't help the devs in anything. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

ok, whatever

Actually, no....

we are not "whining"....I have pre-ordered the game, and I am wondering whether or not the game is still on schedule for it's projected release date....

and, what is any different asking about the release date and the demo's release date, than asking about modding tools, or anything else that has been brought up on these Boards?

As I said, I asked some simple questions, as did St. Patrick....they were questions, not whining

[ October 21, 2003, 20:21: Message edited by: cpbeller ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

I'm afraid I don't have any answers for either question. The only thing I can think of is that maybe an electronic Version of the manual is intended for the demo, and so they've been waiting for that. That's just a guess though.

As for why there wasn't an announcement of the code itself going gold, I don't have even a vague guess like the one above. It's a mystery to me too!

Well, here's a late thought: maybe that has something to do with the manual too. Possibly, they want to wait to announce Gold Status until they can send complete packages to reviewers and so maximize the excitment generated by the announcement? Just a wild guess though . . . I'm a Math & Art Parrot, not a Marketing Bird. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

that actually does make sense if they were indeed waiting for the manual to be done and finished for the demo....release them both together? sounds good...

Whatever the reason, I was more concerned with the full Version shipping date than anything else, but the demo sorta falls into that too.

Thanks Psitticine (handfull of typing there)

Chris

aka MythicalMino elsewhere

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

It wasnt personal cpbeller. But I guess asking about the demo's release date for the 15th time won't help the devs at all. That was my only point.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Actually I agree with Mortifer.
It is totally pointless to ask about the release date of the demo all day.
It must be very annoying for IW & Shrapnel. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Look guys I don't know what to tell you. As soon as the demo is through test, and we announce Gold, the demo will be coming otu shortly afterwords.

And your right asking about it every day isn't going to make it happen any quicker. It isn't being delayed because it is buggy or because we want to punish anyone. There is a process all of this must go through, and it can't happen any quicker. As soon as we have the demo ready to go we will let everyone know.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Now I'm thoroughly confused! On the one hand the game has gone gold, and on the other it hasn't? Or just hasn't been announced? (why wouldn't you announce that?)

I guess the message is to lay off and stop asking - so I'll do that (although for the record I haven't been asking 'every day' by any means). I'm a little disappointed to not know anything specific, but fair enough.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Too late to edit, but I just wanted to add this: I am honestly sorry if I've contributed to the frustration levels of people at Shrapnel. I understand that it is really annoying to get asked the same question over and over, and I don't want to be 'one of those people'. On the other hand, I really don't think I actually did that. But either way, I will try to wait patiently from here on out http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ October 21, 2003, 23:54: Message edited by: st.patrik ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

well, could today be the day?????

Probably not....

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

ok....sorry....

I wasn't trying to "frustrate" anyone....

I was just wanting some info on the release date of the full retail Version, and the demo was only really in reference to that....as far as a schedule goes.

I won't ask any more questions concerning it....once I have it, I have it

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Doh, I thought that the demo will be out around oct. 15 at least, and now it is oct. 21 today! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

I can't speak for Richard or anybody else, obviously, but I'd be surprised if anybody is frustrated or annoyed. I think he's just trying to express the fact that the demo will be ready as soon as it can be.

I think it is certainly not a rude thing to inquire about things that seem confusing, contradictory, or concerning, especially when one does so in a polite way, which everybody definitely has.

Just my 2¢ there . . .

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Duh. That's why they're not just asking every day, but many times per day, every day http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Becuase we are not gold. Who told you the game has gone gold?

GOLD: The sending of ALL production pieces to duplication.

We have to have final cd and manual cover art, the final manual with editing and proofreading, game code in CD production format, additions for Shrapnel tie ins to CD and manual, paper buys/ CD buys completed, shrinkwrapping purchased and scheduled, and probably a few more things I don't even know about... Then this all has to go on its merry way to 3 different vendors. Once they receive the pieces they schedule production (cd is one vendor, manual is three vendors in and of itself: cover, guts, and binding - and then the shrinkwrapper, of course) and give us 'completed by' dates. We then determine how to have this shipped back to shrinkwrapping for assembly and wrapping (ground, overnight, etc). Then the final product comes to us, is inventoried, coded, and sent to fulfillment. Here it is shelved, and entered into inventory. Now we are ready to ship...

As you can see it is a process. On a positive note, we received the gold candidate cd yesterday, it will be tested and made ready for stamping today. And should head out to the duplicator tomorrow, barring any troubles. However, the manaul we don't have yet but should have it today, and it still has to go through proofing, editing and additions. Sometimes this takes a day or two and sometimes a week. Once the manual ships, we announce gold as all pieces are in place for production.

[ October 22, 2003, 08:58: Message edited by: Tim Brooks ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Now you understand at least that why did I made that post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Now you understand at least that why did I made that post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, no, i don't really understand why you made that post...

All I was truly concerned with is the release Version still viable for the projected date of the 30th....

After hearing different "rumors" of yes, the game is gold, no, we have no manual, the game is gold, but the demo still needs testing, we have the demo, but we need the game to go gold first, and then the manual needs still some editing...ect ect ect....

I am concerned with knowing more about the full release date of the 30th. I actually couldn't care less about the demo's release, since I have pre-ordered the game. If the demo came out 3 months after the shipment date, that would be find with me, I am just asking about the shipment date.

Now, after saying that, this goes to Tim Brooks, or anyone in the know....

Approximately how long does it take for all the pieces to come together? I understand that there could be delays here and there, causing delays in shipment...

But, is this normal, that you don't have "all the pieces" with barely a week left till the projected shipping date?

My experience with "going gold" and release dates, are there is generally a month between the announcing of gold status and release, as it seems to take about a month for all the duplicating process.

Again, I really don't care about the demo release...I only ask about that in reference to the shipment date of the full release. And I am only asking about that so I can have SOME info on it.

Also, this is the only game I have ever Pre-Ordered, next to Civ3 (and what a burn that was....). Generally, i stay away from Pre-Orders, but, my experience with shrapnel has been good....nothing to be wary about, just would like to know a bit more than silence of the threads....I just have a feeling that the game will be delayed, and we (the folks who bought it) won't know until the 30th or after...

Mortifer, THAT is my concern....

[ October 22, 2003, 12:02: Message edited by: cpbeller ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sorry but I reckon that this is complaining and whining.
Btw even you admitted that you complained too much. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Ah well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
It is very funny, because I am never asking the same question all day.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Fair question, but the answer is I won't know until the vendors schedule everything, and then we still miss about 60% of the time. Why, well our Last three misses were:

1. CD's were shipped to Washington DC by UPS - we are in North Carolina. It then took UPS three days to get them from DC to us - a 7 hour trip by car.

2. The printing press broke down in the middle of the cover run. This caused a one day delay in getting the manual to the binder. The binder had us scheduled of course, but that one day miss meant the binder couldn't do the job for 3 more days.

3. The CD duplicator pushed our job back two days to do a 2,000,000 CD run for WalMart.

So, when we get everything to the vendors the schedule will be set and we will let you know our "projected" ship date. Which has about a 60% chance of sliding.

Is Oct 30th out of the question? No. But it is looking less and less likely. Alot depends on when we get the manual and how much work is invloved in getting it ready to print.

And now to make everyone's day, we are moving into the Christmas season, for CD's and printing this usually pushes delivery times out by 3 - a one week turn around becomes a 3 week turnaround, etc.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Becuase we are not gold. Who told you the game has gone gold?

GOLD: The sending of ALL production pieces to duplication.

We have to have final cd and manual cover art, the final manual with editing and proofreading, game code in CD production format, additions for Shrapnel tie ins to CD and manual, paper buys/ CD buys completed, shrinkwrapping purchased and scheduled, and probably a few more things I don't even know about... Then this all has to go on its merry way to 3 different vendors. Once they receive the pieces they schedule production (cd is one vendor, manual is three vendors in and of itself: cover, guts, and binding - and then the shrinkwrapper, of course) and give us 'completed by' dates. We then determine how to have this shipped back to shrinkwrapping for assembly and wrapping (ground, overnight, etc). Then the final product comes to us, is inventoried, coded, and sent to fulfillment. Here it is shelved, and entered into inventory. Now we are ready to ship...

As you can see it is a process. On a positive note, we received the gold candidate cd yesterday, it will be tested and made ready for stamping today. And should head out to the duplicator tomorrow, barring any troubles. However, the manaul we don't have yet but should have it today, and it still has to go through proofing, editing and additions. Sometimes this takes a day or two and sometimes a week. Once the manual ships, we announce gold as all pieces are in place for production. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Tim - thanks for this most informative message - I feel like I understand where things are at much better now. So, many thanks.

As to the snide comments of other posters - please lay off. If you read over this thread and the "Golden Demos and such..." thread you will see who is whining and who is asking questions [there IS a distinction]. Anyways, let enough be enough, please.

[ October 22, 2003, 14:13: Message edited by: st.patrik ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

As an update we received the finished manual this morning, but it still needs to be formatted for printing.

That doesn't mean the demo is coming out tomorrow, but I wanted to drop you guys an update.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

and thanks for the update

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

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

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">..and now? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

So lads, be patient, Shrapnel will let us know when the demo will be out. Pestering them all day won't help. That was my point. Guess I was right. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ October 22, 2003, 12:50: Message edited by: Mortifer ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

No frustration guys, just trying to make it clear that we are a little behind not really anything out of the norm. And the very second the demo is ready to go, we'll let you know.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Period. No more whining and complaining about release dates please.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

[ October 22, 2003, 13:03: Message edited by: cpbeller ]

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thanks Richard - much appreciated.

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">nice! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

hmmmm...don't it figure....

I am going to be out of town the 17th - 20th....

wondering if there is a way to change my shipping from Priority to Express....hmmmm.....

Anyone know if that is possible to do that?

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">English is my native langauge so if Im wrong I have no excuse, but doesnt this say that you play with 17 races at a time? Me and 16 other opponents? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You mean that you didn't know there are 17 races in DOM II?

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">very cool - thanks for the info.

now from what I've seen (with recent announcements on Shrapnel's site) it usually takes about 10 days from the game going Gold to the demo being released - so I am currently (regretfully) setting my expectations on roughly the 2nd or 3rd of November. If it's likely to be sooner, so much the better. (and if it's certain to be sooner, please say so).

Gandalf: I didn't get your point either. There are 3 new nations: Machaka, Mictlan and Tien Chi, but I find it hard to believe you didn't know this. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

Re: anyone from Shrapnel...?
 

Sorry. I actually didnt know. I knew of 2 of them before alot of other people. Even helped on the early research for names, gods, heroes, etc. But then I fell out of the channels for awhile. Im just guessing but the 3rd showed up about the time the discusions shifted from newsgroup to web?

Ok never mind. Glad to know the press release was correct.