Requesting feedback on 'Expansion Pack'

[rdouglass]

Wanted to post this seperately. It is along the same discussion of many Posts, but I felt it deserved its own thread.

Instead of MM adding feature patches, why not an "expansion pack". Many games do - my logic is this.. I'm not talking about mods, but stuff that is 'in the code'. For instance, atmosphere types, setting initial tech levels, etc. (There could be quite a long list here)

Aaron has been doing, IMO, an awful lot of work (patches) for what seems like very little money - in fact, $0.00 from what I see. Don't get me wrong - I do like all the patches to enhance gameplay. However, many talk about changing the game as "a few lines of code" etc. Unfortunately, it is rarely that simple. I am not a professional programmer by trade, but have been doing an awful lot of it since the early '80s, and I am (usually painfully) aware of the problems of just changing a 'few lines of code'.

With the expansion pack offering, MM may be able to put many of these enhancement requests into the game. They also would allow MM to make a few bucks for all the time invested. (Personally I think we're spoiled by MM's continuing commitment to releasing patches - not many vendors do). If you want to incent someone to do something, stick a little monetary reward behind it - works almost every time!

I know I'll get some negative feedback, but I do believe there are a significant number of people that would buy this 'expansion pack', me included. (Just re-read some of the Posts relating to hacking the Demo code!)

[Marco]

I'm surely iterested in the idea of an expansion pack but I would need to know the topics covered before I can assure to buy it, beaucause I doubt a single expansion pack could add to the game all the posted suggestion.

[dogscoff]

I would pay for an expansion pack but (depending on the price) it would have to offer *serious* updates to the game.

I would also be concerned about the possibility of splitting the SEIV community in half - those with the patch and those without. I would hate to suddenly find myself incompatible with potential PBEM opponents simply because one of us had upgraded and the other hadn't.

For these reasons I would like to see MM keeping any such updates cheap and simple.

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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so Brain, but how are we gonna teach a goat to dance with flippers on? "

[mac5732]

see thread on expansion pack around April 17th, some good comments on idea of expansion pak.


just some ideas mac

[Deathstalker]

Would love an xpansion pack, hopefully with the added ability to 'retreat' in combat. And colonize asteroids, add 'barbarians' (like civ I, or moo space monsters, etc). That and I would LOVE to see the Map Editor work 'almost perfectly' and the abilities.txt abilities that SEEM like they apply to planets WORK. (ie, a planet that produces resources on its own, or disrupts shields due to its magnetic strength, or adds to ground defense), ETC.
And as far as a split for who bought/didn't buy, I think that would be slim. How many people here don't use the TDM-Modpack???

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"The Empress took your name away," said Chance.
Owen smiled coldly. "It wasn't hers to take. I'm a Deathstalker until I die. And we never forget a slight or an enemy." -Owen Deathstalker.

[Nitram Draw]

Even though this topic has been explored in other threads I think it should be continually brought up. MM has done a remarkable job of supporting this game and deserves recognition for that.
I, like everyone else, have my own opinions on things that could/should be included in the game. To expect them to be provided for free is dumb. I would definately pay for an expansion pack. I think the more times it is brought up the more likely it will be that one is made. Hopefully one will be made and it will benefit both the gamers and MM.

[chewy027]

Agreed, I think most of us here would pay for the pack as long as it had the added stuff we've talked about here. Perhaps after the next patch MM could start work on one and pocket some more cash

[Droplede]

In short:
more money for Aaron & co. = good

I've gotten so much enjoyment out of this (constantly improving) game for so little money that I almost feel like slapping on an eyepatch and calling myself a pirate. Hmmmm. Maybe I should try out suicide_junkie's mod tonight after all ...

[Trachmyr]

I got the $$$ right here... bring it on

[Sultan]

Given the track record of support by MM for SE3 and SE4 and all of the support by the community here I'd have no problem buying it.