[Tim Brooks]

I'm back. Sorry it has taken me so long to return...

Well, that means I'll have to comment on your opinion of dominions 3. You say, a niche game. I say : why should it be one ? But comments on this thread (including your answers) makes me believe that dominions 3 wants to remain a niche game, played by a few, known by a few.

Why should it be a niche game? It shouldn't be! I agree totally. But wanting it not to be doesn't make it so. We could make it more user friendly, give less options, improve the graphics over gameplay... and on and on. It would be a smash hit probably, but it wouldn't be Dominions. It would be a totally different game.

Sometimes I think people believe that this game isn't well known. Would you believe we have had millions of downloads of the demo? But it remains a game that is niche, based on sales. You can't change that by wishing it so. You can't change that by any means other than changing the game. There is a reason the major publishers don't have a Dominions clone. It isn't a major market. Now that doesn't mean it hasn't sold well. It has for a niche game. Can it sell better? I believe that it can. Shrapnel is pretty darn good at what we do. But don't beleive for a minute that we think we are perfect. We are always working to be better. But you have to do it smartly if you want to remain in business.

However, what I can say is what I think could make the game better. And that's what I did.

And we want you to. The developers want you to. Please don't stop. And continue to question the way we do business. We really do read these posts and we consider what is said here.

either ship it with "default" mail service and it comes at reduced price but longer waiting time, or use another one and get it delivered faster (of course the price is higher)

We used to do this. But it wasn't cost effective. UPS, Fedex, etc. charge you monthly fees for their services. They just weren't used enough to keep paying those fees.

Thanks for that answer, that was very satisfactory and thoughtful answer. It's good to see that you've considered the issues carefully and it looks now as if you've taken very sensible decisions.

Thank you, llamabeast!

If I may suggest adding another couple of links to the website: a link called "reviews" pointing at the "What they're saying" page on Shrapnel would be an excellent idea (since those reviews are so glowing). Also I'd suggest giving detailed guides and lots of pictures for a couple of races (the guides are pretty much ready in the community and I'm sure people would be happy to let you use them) with little thumbnails for all the other races, showing the amazing range of fascinating things available in the game.

We can do this. We need the community to help. The AARs are a great ides and we are in the process of a site redesign that will encompass alot of this. In the meantime, I will have Annette set up a thread to post anything that you (the community) think will help us tell the Dominions 3 story better.

We live like 10 miles from one another, can I buy you a beer sometime?

Would love to, sector24! I'll buy the second round. PM me, when you can.

Tim, thank you for responding to the points presented in a meaningful, accurate way.

Your welcome. Thanks for 'listening'.

Also thanks for not locking this thread and allowing the discussion!

We wouldn't dream of doing this, Velusion. We do listen and consider your ideas. And when someone brings something up like this, it sometimes reminds us to revisit things. We are always looking for ways to be better at what we do and this whole internet and gaming is a constantly changing animal that requires constant attention. Your ideas are always welcome at Shrapnel Games.