[PvK]

I don't think the question was whether MM would have stopped making games if it didn't make SE4G. I think it was that there simply would not have been the improvements made since the Last non-Gold patch.

As others have said, if you divide cost by quality and/or the amount of time and enjoyment you get out of a game, and you're a fan of SE4, then even at $100, SE4 + SE4G are very cheap compared to most other games.

SE4 by itself is still a good game, and some players didn't upgrade and you can still play with them. It doesn't take more than a few players to provide opponents.

When I went and joined in a PBW game of pre-Gold SE4 after I had played Gold, it was clear that it really is much improved.

Edit (more rambling):

I have to say I wish more game developers would do Gold Versions fixing issues and giving the fans the features they wanted, instead of the typical abandonware (and/or, crummily re-done sequel) pattern of most computer games. I'd rather pay more for an actual good game than pay the same for two mediocre games. I don't have a lot of use for mediocre games.

Of course, the pricing system of a Gold release isn't entirely fair, at least when the discount for previous owners isn't consistent. But then, game prices are rarely fair and consistent. You can go to a rip-off mart and get the latest megacorp mediocre abandonware for $50, or go on-line and/or wait a month and get it for half-price or less.

PvK

[ August 24, 2003, 17:29: Message edited by: PvK ]