SEIV GOLD Rebate

[WarChild]

Since the "Gold" edition is just an extension of the current game that we all originally purchased, why not dispense entirely with the rebate issue by using a form of electronic distribution?

Make the "Gold" edition into a patch of the original game which adds all of the features/improvements and includes a .PDF Version of the new manual. Distribute it as an electronic download that can be purhased for $20 (and could even include some form of activation/registration code delivered via e-mail to combat piracy).

This avoids customers destroying the original CD and shipping it back, Shrapnel from wrestling with credits/rebate checks especially for customers overseas, and saves money for Shrapnel by not having to manufacture CD's for people who have already bought the original game, nor does Shrapnel have to print the new manual.

Many have written about their hesitancy to destroy the original CD, or even just the bother and cost, however minor, of sending it back. Overseas customers have clearly written that the costs involved with cashing checks from the U.S. hardly makes the rebate worthwhile. Shrapnel has written that credit card credits encur them a fee. Some customers are not interested in Shrapnel store credit.

We all love this game, and have always been overwhelmed by the level of attention and support provided by both Shrapnel and MM. We appreciate the attempt by Shrapnel to provide a savings in the form of a rebate to existing owners of the game.

Hundreds of companies distribute upgrades or even entire programs electronically in downloadable format, many with a form of piracy protection or registration process involved. I would think that employing this type of distribution has considerable advantages across the board for Shrapnel and only minor disadvantages for the customer. The customer does has the burden of printing the manual, of having an e-mail account to receive any activation code, and of the download itself (which could be somewhat cumbersome to those with modem connections, but high-speed Subscribers would not be inconvenienced at all.)

I think most existing customers would readily pay for this electronic upgrade, (even if the download took some time; i.e. over a phone modem) in order to dispense with the rebate hassle. Others who do find this upgrade process inconvenient, or for newcomers to SE4, could purchase the CD by the standard method.

[zen.]

I was one of the first to express concern about the rebate, the CD destruction, etc. But you know what? Never mind.

Reading this thread and the others has convinced me that Shrapnel and Malfador do deserve every penny. Like most other people, after finishing a game or three of any given game, I shelve it. SEIV is the ONLY game I keep coming back to. Why? Because it's constantly being improved. New stuff is added, whether by the community or the creator, that makes it worthwhile to experience again and again. No other game is as customizable...you don't like something? Mod it!

Which brings me to my point of why I'm going to purchase the Gold and forget about the rebate. What other genre of game does SEIV resemble? Massively MultiPlayer Online Games. MMPOGs. To highlight, MMPOGs are the only games that have a constant development cycle; they are constantly being patched and prodded and tweaked. Similarly, SEIV added Play-by-Web, for pity's sake. Most other games on the shelves are obsolete in the year, and their support is dust soon after release (sometimes the companies themselves fold). The only way MMORGs sustain the support is those annoying little '$9.95's or whatever they charge every MONTH.

Now, considering that there is constant support for the community, and I've been playing this for well over a year, it's not too unreasonable to ask for a little bit more with a new release. I have definitely gotten my money's worth from the initial purchase. I've certainly paid more for lesser games, too. If the Gold Version gives me another year of playability and helps development of SE5, I'm in.

[mac5732]

I have enjoyed this game so much, I really don't care about the re-bate and will just buy the new game. Awhile back there was a thread where a lot of us were asking for an upgraded cd with a good number of hard code changes and additions and that we would be willing to pay for it. It looks like we got our wish. I for one am excited about the gold and can't wait. I want to thank Richard, Aaron, Tim and all the rest who made this possible. Tks....

just some ideas mac

[tictoc]

Hi. You say there's about 40K pirated Versions about, o.k. how many members are there that have been active in this forum. The good peeps that have posted seem to be genuine and honest, considering there are no flames or bad feelings, this, i think, is to do not solely with the excellent site and those who monitor it, but largely to the temperament and enthusiasm of the posters. So mayby i'm saying here, why not automatically rebate all those who have contributed in one way or another and those who havn't, ask for verification of authenticity. If i can find my damm delivery note from way back november 2k then i'll post it here if required. It just seems that most if not all, are being tarred with the same brush here in regards to proof of purchase. Please don't read this as an incitement to war, I don't wish to offend anyone and if i have then i apoligise, it's just that it's come out that way.

regards tic

[Puke]

the thing is, for shrapnel to offer a rebate, it has to be fair. they cant just give it out to who they want to, which is why they cant just use their own shipping records. whatever method they choose has to be above even the suspicion of being biased or unfair.

[Markavian]

Why do we have to destroy our hole CD?!
When can't we send you our old original, with a sticky lable on it saying
'<--
John Beech
124 Brlagrave Road. . .
etc.
etc.
ENGLAND

<<SE4 GOLD REBATE>>
-->'

And then you include this in the package you send back to us.
No loss of original CD, very happy customer.

Also, HELLO SHRAPPY, LOTS OF PEOPLE BOUGHT THE GAME OFF YOU - for these people, you KNOW who they are, and where they live. YOU CAN give these people a rebate at least. . .

. . . for a) being loyal to SE4 originally, and b) being loyal to your great company.
(I mean that, you're great and have done some cool things).

Now I don't know how big your site is, but it can't be too much effort to post our intact CDs down to the shipping bays before packaging.

But I just suggested you don't need to do that for everyone - you will have details on some people.

This brings into consideration: morals of letting some people have the rebate and others lose out. The send part of your CD, (or the whole CD) is still 'workable'.
Infact, sending the whole CD might be a better idea: then people can't get rebates on two sets of CD bits (one for them, one for their mate).


Oooh, and if you need proof that I'm a loyal customer, and I relaly like SE4, and I've supported and all the rubbish, just come come over and visit my web site

I hope my input helps you give loyal people desersed discounts.

Regards,
- John Beech
http://universalshipyards.tripod.com

edit/ corrected my homesite URL

[ 05 December 2001: Message edited by: Markavians ]

[jpowell]

The simplest and fairest mechanism would seem to be that used by Enlight Software with the original Seven Kingdoms game: sell a patch to upgrade current Versions to "Gold" for $15-$20 (including the pdf Version of the new manual) and sell complete SEIV Gold as a boxed game with a printed manual to new buyers. This minimizes shipping problems, questions as to whether "enough" of the old CD was sent to qualify, rebate vs refund, etc. The only loser in this scenario would be Federal Express!