Buying decision, not so easy...

[DanL]

I agree, they should have done a demo like the Reach for the Stars demo. RFTS might be inferior to SE4 but the demo sure wasn't!

Just do like RFTS demo did and include a mini map or something that gives you an idea of the full game, more or less. And be able to play ONE full game on the demo map (with restricted options of course).

Just my opinion....

[General Hawkwing]

I would have to disagree about the turn limit. At first I felt like you did but after playing through several games I think the turn limit helps to make a choice. Remember, you can see different aspects of the game by setting the starting planet number and technology level/cost at the beginnning. The turn limit forces you to restart games, which makes you relook at the game setup again and again. This made me choose many different options for race design, tech level/cost and quadrant size/design. It helped to demonstrate the many facets of the game to me. If the gold demo shows better AI in a few areas, then SE4 is a buy!

[NNKK]

Can't agree with you Hawkwing, though you do bring up a good point.
I'd rather buy a game such as Space Empires III/IV knowing how a game flows, not neccisarily the options for creating one
I managed to play through 100 turns pretty quick with several other AI opponents in game and at the end there was still no clear winner, and I was ranked 2nd, and I probably could have won if I'd had 30 or so more turns, but then I might not have. (on .56... can't really play .99 since everything moves soooo sloowwww)

[Master Belisarius]

I hate the 100 turns limit like everybody here... but guys, business are business. And in my humble opinion, I think that MM can lose more clients without the 100 turn limit, rather than keeping the limit.
A demo it's only a demo, and at least this is a playable demo.
I can remember that the Alpha Centaury (SMAC) demo had a 100 turns limit, and SMAC sold a lot of copies, although was really a very limited time (it's not possible to finish a SMAC game in 100 turns, but I have finished a LOT of SE4 games before the turn 100).
If you start games with 5 or 10 planets in a small galaxy, and all the tech, it's pretty easy finish a SE4 game... Sure, if you want to play epic games in large galaxies, starting with only one planet and without starting tech, then you will be unable to finish the game... but as I said, it's only a demo.
By the way: in my multiplayer SE3 games, I never have played a game during 100 turns... the more large game was finished in 80 turns.

[Blue Lord]

I don't like playing with the turn limit, wich means that I don't play the SE4 demo that much. But I still think that you should keep the turn limit. Why? Because after playing the 100 turns, and want more you scream "I want more!" and buy the game.
Now, since the game isn't out yet the ONLY thing we can do is to scream "I WANT more!" over and over again. So you'll end up with waiting for the full release: 1st November
(I wanna have that game!!!)

[Rambie]

I can't say for sure, but there were many people who posted, while SE4 was still in the beginning phases and into the beta, that they *never* bought SE3 because the demo didn't have a turn limit. How do you think MM would respond?

If they'd put a tech limit, or a map limit instead of a turn limit someone would have been upset. I remember many complaints about the SE3 demo because of the tech limit. I guess it's a case of you can't please everybody all the time.
Rambie

[Klauss]

NNKK
Not everyone needs so much resources to make a decision like you.
I for my part decided to buy this game in the moment it has been announced and it was clear that it isnt real time.
The demo is a nice addition, but not necessary for me for buying SE4.
Fact is that if you dont buy it, you will miss one of the best 4x games ever (if not THE best) only because a demo (which is sometimes available in todays games and sometimes not) quits after 100 turns.


Klaus