How about a contest?!
 

I was sitting at my desk (ummm, ok, it was the can, but I didn't want to say that) thinking long and hard about how to spread the word about Dominions II. I feel it is a good game, but that not many people know about it...or not enough people.

I didn't even find out about it until I read about it in Computer Gaming World, and I am shocked that it was even in there. In fact, the review of the game is not what interested me, it was the fact that they also had a game session between two people reported in there. Pretty cool, and showed people's interest in the game. So, if I had not even seen those articles in a magazine that I don't even normally buy (I bought it for filler time during my vacation, to read on the flight and at my desk...err...the can), I would never have even known about this game, or even tried the demo.

So, how about a contest?! Contests always make people interested in a product, because people always like to win something!

How about a contest, done by either the producer or developer, where you get to design an unit (just the text, background, abilities, etc., not 2d or 3d model design, although you could sketch it out if you want, I guess), design a spell, design a new pretender god form, or maybe design a new race to follow a pretender god?

I think it would be cool to design something for the sequel, and I think it would increase interest in the game.

Or will people not care about a contest and just mod Dominions II?! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: How about a contest?!
 

I've been involved in contests (textures/objects/etc) and they tend to only involve those people who are already playing the game, since they're the ones reading the web sites that cover the game news. I don't think that would spread Dom 2 fame. Word-of-mouth and reviews on popular gaming sites are the 2 best ways (if you don't count television commercials). For years now I have been using game review sites to catch up on the latest info/demos. As a matter of fact, that's how I heard about Dom 2 (Reading a list of "games released Last month" on a game site).

Unfortunately (and I kinda agree a bit here), most of the reviews I've seen specifically state something like, "This game is NOT for the casual gamer, it's too hard to learn!" And truth be told, Japher's sarcastic (and highly amsuing) remarks about this game not being relaxing and fun has a ring of truth about it....in that it's like a good game of chess... it takes alot of concentration and it's not the type of "fun" that alot of casual gamers are looking for. Hence the popularity of first-person shooters. They are a tension release, and you can just jump in and start bLasting away.

I agree with you in theory though. We all want to see our favorite games get more and better publicity. We could all shout it from our rooftops (but first we'd have to hit "Host" just one more time....). Tell your friends, tell those who aren't your friends, submit "user reviews" on gaming sites, petition your local Congressman... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: How about a contest?!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'd much rather have the reviews say up front that this game is not for everyone, than see pissed-off buyers rant about how unwieldy it is after reading a glowing, buy-it-quick review. It is true that this game won't appeal to each and every gamer, or even to each and every TBS strategy gamer; for many, a SP game with nice graphics, nice sounds, where one can relax while kicking some AI *** is perfect. Those players should know where they're going before they pick up Dominions 2.