Here's an idea, we all know that SE:V is in the works and that SE:IV Gold can still hold it's own against many of the 'retail' 4x games out there.
..What if,.. Shrapnel made more serious efforts to find a retail outlet for SE:IV Gold. And when they do, (In spite of a lower intake of $$$) place an ad for SE:V in all the retail Versions and see what happens.
I see two things happining,..
1) The retail market (customers) would be made aware of the wonderful Space Empires franchise. (the number of sales might surprise them and they might find that selling more for less $ in the case of SE would be better than selling less for more $)
2) SE:V would have an excellent marketing gimmick, what better way to promote a new game than to let a new audience discover SE through an already excellent game.
I also think that finding and making 'bulk' sales of SE:IV Gold to retail outlets would be a great idea to test the retail waters. You could also start small and ask the existing fan-base to help. (Ask them to go to their local indipendant retailer and ask if they would be interested in obtaining say 10 copies of SE:IV Gold at a reduced price to make it available in their store. There is a good selling point to this method, the game would be a kind of 'exclusive' title for the small store and that in turn might help them to promote it. "Hey check out this 4x game, It is only available Online, but I made a deal to bring it to my customers." Even if the store pays 20$ and sells it for the same price as it is Online. The fact that the customer does not have to pay shipping and handling will be like an instant rebate. Heck, you could even give the fans some incentive to help get se4Gold into the small indipendant stores. (Sell 10 copies of se4:Gold and get $20 off SE:V and free shipping.)
Just a thought, basically I agree with Atrocities,.. more marketing needs to be done for SE:V. There is so much untapped potential out there that it's a shame the SE franchise is not more known.
nuf said, Cheers!
[ February 09, 2004, 11:07: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]