Stardock selling dominions
 

Lo and behold, I have just receive a promotion from stardock for dominions 3 with 20% discount.

Stardock has IMO, good access to niche audience that substantially overlaps that of dominions so I hope this will bring many more new dominions players http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Whoah, Stardock selling Dominions!! That is fantastic news!

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

And I received a notice from Shrapnel selling Gal Civilizations for 20% off! Surprising but brilliant job there.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Not on TotalGaming.net yet, and I haven't got an e-mail yet... maybe they're releasing it as we type.

I agree that would be a real publicity coup, GalCiv II has a big audience of people who'd surely like Dominions.

I did get an e-mail yesterday from Shrapnel offering discounted GalCiv II, so obviously they've started working together a bit. It's a dream match to my mind.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Yes indeed! I'm very happy with this.

What more I'm starting to get my hopes high on their upcoming fantasy TBS.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Oh and here is an excerpt from the mail I have received:

"
SAVE 20% NOW



Dominions 3: The Awakening, is the follow up to the acclaimed fantasy strategy game, Dominions 2: The Ascension Wars. While Dominions 2 set the bar for rich, engrossing turn-based fantasy strategy gaming, Dominions 3: The Awakening seeks to raise it once more receiving numerous awards, including Editor’s Choice Awards from GameZone.com, Computer Games Magazine, and PCpelaaja-magazine plus Game of the Year honors from Cyberstratege Magazine.



Stardock now brings their fans an exclusive offer from Shrapnel Games: Now thru November 15, 2007 Stardock customers save 20% on Dominions 3: The Awakening. Just order from the Shrapnel Games eStore, the Gamers Front, and use coupon code: DOM3-STARDOCK at checkout. It’s that easy!



New pop-ups, a 300 page in-depth manual written by industry veteran Bruce Geryk, and less micromanagement all makes Dominions 3: The Awakening easy to get into. Lush maps, vividly depicted battles, and an ethereal musical score contribute to turning the fantasy on the screen into your reality.

"

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Guys. Whoa. Stardock is not selling Dominions 3. Shrapnel Games is offering Stardock's customers a special discount. Just like Stardock is offering a special discount on Gal Civilizations to Shrapnel's customers.

It is just a joint promotion, as Stardock and Shrapnel both respect each others products.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Now if we can just find a strategy to have Stardock hire Kristoffer to assist in developing Stardocks upcoming TBS fantasy game expected to be ready end of 2009.

We'll have to use our combined clever strategies we've been mastering via use of Dominions. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon26.gif[/img]

THE STRATEGY:
We find some aliens [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon27.gif[/img] from outerspace which also enjoy playing Dominions_3. After buying the aliens a few rounds of drinks http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif they agree to our plan. Within a few weeks the aliens use Josh's and Kristoffer's favorite drinks [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img], food [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Burger.gif[/img], females [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Woman3.gif[/img] and money [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon41.gif[/img] so they agree to work together. If either side disagrees then the aliens threaten to start a war between worlds [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon48.gif[/img] . At this time someone from the forum notices these aliens look very similar to the Ry'leh nation. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif


Feel free to add into the strategy so the plan will be a success !

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I suggest the traditional "offer him 66 virgins with special collars that make them VERY obedient" approach. That always works!

If that fails, offer him the collars. My parents are teachers, and I know THEY could find uses for those... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

yeah they have the rights to the MoM IP... but they really need Illwinter working on it for them... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I only found out dominions existed by Brad Wardell writing about Dom3 going gold on the GC2 website and giving the game high praise.

So crossovers like this are good for both games. It would be good to see more. I bet loads of Civ players would love Dom3 but have never heard of it.

I too am looking forward to the upcoming TBS fantasy game by stardock and the new project that illwinter are putting together.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

That game is a couple years off, and doesn't sound like it'd lend itself to multiplayer. I'm wayyyy excited about it, anyway.

Here's a nice thread about it with some comments by Brad Wardell to lend it an air of authenticity:

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-t...ad.php?t=38028

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I heard the Stardock TBS fantasy game will allow multiplayer. It's possible my small crusade trying to convince Stardock in making Gal_Civ_2 multiplayer played some influence. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
I would have bought Gal_Civ_2 if complete multiplayer functionality was provided... the unusual backdoor workarounds had issues.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I didn't say it wouldn't allow multiplayer, just that it wouldn't be ideal for it. After playing Dominions, I can't imagine sitting through traditional turn-based turns and player-controlled tactical battles. It'd be alright 1 on 1 I suppose.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

And today BW made a definite quash of MoM2 rumors. It's a fantasy game, but NOT MoM2.

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-t...ad.php?t=39347

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Yea... but it's the sequel in spirit! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Yea, the last I heard, stardock could not secure the rights to Master of Magic, wanted too much $. So they are making there own game. Which is fine by me, as I have alot of faith in stardock.

I have'nt played GC2 for a while but I believe they have added or about to add multiplayer to it. It might be in the 2nd expansion.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

that is it I'm gonna get MoM again to play http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif must at least try it a bit again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

a group of pixel mages approaches tower:
old man comes on balcony of tower from within tower

-->OLD MAN WE SEEK THE SPELL OF MASTERY

-->YOU HAVE COME TO LATE, MY WORK HAS ALREADY MET IT's end

-->if that is the truth then your work must stop
(lightning on old man by group of mages)

magic mumbling by old man,

NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

fireballs flying to mages



IT ROCKS !!!!
abandon ware + dos box --> total download 12 MB IT ROCKS

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Yeah, no kidding. How can something so broken yet be so much fun?

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

broken??? it rocks.. you should hear the kewl music I'm hearing now.. I wish I could mod that into dominions http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Because it has no multiplayer! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif If it had multiplayer, it'd be broken, or it'd have to be balanced, making single-player weaker. Multiplayer + MoM2 = mystery - how could it work?

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I just read you can hotseat it with a certain program

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

as my .02, galciv2 rocked. Dominions is a fantastic game, same vein, different approach. Nothing but good.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

It's "just" a 20% off coupon for GamersFront.com, so you can stop looking http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Btw, this is the first I've heard of the Stardock fantasy tbs. Sounds very promising http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

This thread brings up a trend that I find disturbing. It is getting harder and harder to buy PC games in stores. For example, Best Buy used to have 4 aisles of PC games, now it's down to one. Electronic Boutique used to be almost 100% PC games, now it's maybe 5 %. Around me, the best selection of PC games is now available at Target, go figure. If nothing else, this introduces concern for the future of the PC game. This is accented by the fact that Civ 4 is still featured (in some minor fashion) in the stores around me despite the fact that it is a year old.

I'm old fashioned (and old) and like to touch and hold something before I buy it. Besides, if it weren't for the reviews (small but favorable) in the computer game magazines I get, there is probably no way I would have found Dom 3.

Just a minor rant.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Fully agree with you, EB Games and Gamespot used to have huge walls of PC games, including older and bargain bin items.

Now they just have that tiny 5x5 of PC games.

My personal fave for bargain bin games is gogamer.com. 24 hour madness sales. I lost my fallout CD and they had the complete set for like 6.99. Lately the sales have been of much lesser quality though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

This is just my view but in the past there were more game releases. Thus nowdays the volume of games being published seems to be rather thin in comparison to past values. At least those that ever make to a box in a store.

Also some places that sell games dont do like they did in past, having more games on shelfs. They seem to hold considerably smaller quantities of any single given game. Thenagain this might be just my flawed perception of the matter.

A good question would be something as how well or in volume do games sell for businesses selling them nowdays? Afterall there seem to be more shops selling games, much larger quantity of netsales and so forth. If its not good volume/business any longer for any given physical shops to sell games and it still costs the same amount to rent the business property via actual physical size. I could imagine the gaming section would get severely cut.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I am sure that the stores have a sound financial reason for reducing the floor space allocated to PC games.

That is what concerns me.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I believe it's because 98% of PC gamers have and use internet access thus finding it easier to make purchases online.
Not all of the console gamers have internet access and most console gamers are from the younger generations which lack knowledge/ability to purchase online.

It's my theory PCGamers are buying online in bulk of 4+ games at once and/or combination with other items to save money via combo discounts. Unfortunately that's not the entire reason... it seems more and more of the younger crowd is leaning toward console games. It's easier for companies to hook them on console games because there's almost no software or hardware to install and manage.

I actually recommend parents to not buy console systems because a PC system serves multiple purposes. And a youngster who is able to build, configure, secure and manage his own PC systems will have a stronger technical education than a youngster who is able to setup and manage his console system.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

The downgrading of stores selling PC games happened years ago when the console market overtook it. What's surprising is that in 2007 you can still find *any* PC gaming on the shelf. EB Games/Gamestop had talked about for years that the only PC games they would carry in store would be ones that were also selling on consoles, but that hasn't come to pass. At the same time the in store inventory of PC games is so pathetic that it doesn't matter.

And yes, online resellers did play somewhat of a part since they could discount titles. This is why big box stores like console games, they can sell them for $59.99 and no one expects to pay less than that for them.

I can't help but think that during the transition period it was a perfect opportunity for the return of the mom 'n pop computer retailer. Back in the '80s there were plenty of folks who would have a store aimed directly at selling software, and while they would do most of their business mail order they still had a retail front. The nice thing was that the people who worked there cared about the games, and knew them. You could get an opinion on a title and expect it to be correct. Ever try talking to a Gamestop counter twit? 50% only care about the latest Xbox game, and the other 50% don't know squat about anything, they're just working there because their probation officer said they had to have a job.

I know if I had someplace local to buy games from that treated me with respect, I'd be more apt to shop there than a big box store, or the terrible experience that is Gamestop.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Before moving down to Florida I had a local EB Games that was actually pretty good, extra pc floor space and every employee I met very into PC games. Haven't had the same experience yet. I fully agree on the customer service angle, luckily you can still get good board gaming CS as most of the game shops I find are mom n' pop.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I realize that it's a small, grasping, desperate sort of hope with little, if any, basis in reality, but the news that Stardock and Shrapnel are partnering up in even the most limited of ways, leads me to believe in the possibility that someday Stardock and Illwinter will get together to make Dominions 4.

After all, Dominions 4 is not MoM2.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Based on some posts Kristoffer does seem a little burnt out on proceeding with Dominions_4 and the other fella seems to have interests elsewhere. The developers from Age of Wonders also were burnt out on creating the next sequel despite an active community hungering for more thus the community started creating unofficial patches.

As Kristoffer mentioned the current game engine for Dominions is maxed out and a new engine will need to be created from scratch. If Illwinter doesn't forsee the desire to create Dominions_4 then hopefully they will sell the title to Stardock. The dominions series and age_of_wonders series could be improved in many ways, but hopefully both series have future sequels.

Ideally I would like to see Kristoffer work with Stardock on creating Dominions_4, thus he does his fun parts of developing the game and Stardock developers evolve Dominions_4 to the next era.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I still have not received an email about this. What do we need to do to use the "Shrapnel customer" discount on Galactic Civilizations??? I was thinking about picking that up and a 20% discount would be really nice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I have just bought Dominions 3 after getting email with offer from Stardock.

I think this game is great. BUT, there is 1 thing I am dissappointed about:

When I bought this game from Stardock's reference, I was expecting to have the same electronic distribution service that Stardock provides. I wanted to download a valid game copy with my own CD key in addition to recieving game box in the mail.

I don't think I would have bought it knowing there is no way to download. I have residency in California, but I am staying in South Korea right now. I can't pickup the package, my family can.

(comment deleted by Forum Administrator)

I think, Dominions could sell more copies if it took advantage of Stardock's electronic distribution service. It works very well and there are many people who would buy it if they knew they could play it in same day.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

But it's not like it should have been a surprise that there was no digital delivery available. Under 'Game Info' on the order page it states "Availability: Shrinkwrapped, Manual and CD". If there was a question concerning whether it was offered as a download a quick question to the forum would have gotten you an answer, or dropping us an email.

As far as making it available digitally we of course do offer some of our games as direct downloads. This one we do not. Personally I don't see a big deal of waiting a few days for a game to arrive. Good things come to those that wait, after all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif And transit time is never too bad. There's a recent thread where someone from Reunion island (560 miles east of Madgascar!) got their game in 2.5 weeks.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

We offer a free downloadable demo found here:
Link to download demo

It includes a tutorial, which should be plenty to get you started while you wait for the game to arrive.

Annette

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Jumping back to the EB Games/Gamestop discussion I was curious about something. Here in Atlanta today there was news of a Gamestop robbed at gunpoint with the manager being killed in the robbery. Now, this seems to happen quite a bit here in Atlanta (and by Atlanta, I'm talking the low-crime, upscale 'burbs and not inside the perimeter). Gamestops are robbed on a fairly regular basis, enough that it seems like working at one is a lot like working the midnight shift at a gas station. What I don't get is why?

Do they have that much cash? I would expect most transactions would be by credit card. You always hear people referring to them as pawn shops, but with that I assumed that they just give you store credit for used games, not actual cash. Anyone have any insight as why they are such lucrative targets for armed robbery?

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Maybe the kiddies buying console games usually pay in cash?

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I just bought the game because of Stardock's coupon. Been looking for quite a while but just couldn't see paying $60 for a game no matter how good. The coupon pushed me over the edge. Got an email today that it has shipped. Also got an email today from Shrapnel offering me 20% off GalCivII. Thought that was pretty funny.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

They're hoping your attention span is short http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Yeah, I've been playing the demo, and just bought it yesterday, after debating the cost of the software, vs the graphics, and playability has won yet again.

I've yet to touch the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the depth of play and strategy.

I can't wait for the manual.

T.Sr.

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

I'd like to welcome our new members. If the FAQ, bug shortlist or a short forum search don't answer your questions, fire away on the forums and I and others will see to it that you won't remain in the dark for long.

Which reminds me:

*hands out lightless lanterns to the newbies* http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

Sweet, I always needed one of those lightless lanters. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Stardock selling dominions
 

You did read the description, I trust? The 3.10 one, that is... *evil grin*