SEIV GOLD Rebate

Atrocities · #1 December 6th, 2001, 06:35 AM

Forgive me, but I fail to understand the argument here about the rebate.

Simply put, if you send in your old SEIV disk, you will receive a rebate. I like this idea because it will provide proof that you indeed bought the orignial game.

I like the original game, and choose to keep it. I will purchase the Gold edition and be happy. If Richard or Aaron ever wish to verify that I my copy is real, then they can email me, and I will provide said proof.

OFF TOPIC RANT:
I despise pirated software and those who do it. I work, that is used to work, in an industry that had to protect it's intellectual property as well as products from copy cat companies and crooked individuals. One of the reasons I am now unemployed is because of Asian companies who can produce our technology cheaper, technology they accuired illegally. It will take my company years and millions of dollars to correct this, and in the mean time, several hundred people will have to go without a livelyhood.

I pray to god that someday the technology to prevent pirated software from being made will come, and when it does, I sincerely hope that those who do attempt to pirate software get burned and burned hard.

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Tim Brooks · #2 December 6th, 2001, 12:40 PM

quote:
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?

This opens us up to even more pirating. People who would never pirate a physical product don't feel the same way about an electronic download. We actually have studies on this from the Software Developers Association (or soemthing like that?). Strange, but it seems some people feel if there weren't physical costs then there weren't ANY costs.

quote:
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).

As Richard stated earlier, the pdf is a bad idea as that is the only thing that people can't pirate easily. You would be surprised how many requests we get each week for manuals - "I lost my manual could you send me another one". When we follow up with, sure it will cost x dollars and all we need is an original order number, we never hear back.

PLEASE READ:

At this point it looks like we will do the following:

Send us the CD or a piece thereof that includes the Shrapnel Games logo, and include the rebate form that comes with the GOLD Version. On the form will be three choices (you must select one):

1. $15.00 Check
2. $15.00 Store Credit
3. $12.00 Credit to your charge card.

We also, if space allows, will include the original Version of SEIV on the GOLD CD.

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: Tim Brooks

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: Tim Brooks ]

CW · #3 December 6th, 2001, 01:14 PM

quote:
sure it will cost x dollars and all we need is an original order number, we never hear back.

I bought my copy straight through Shrapnel and you guys probably still have my records. But if you ask me for the original order number now I frankly don't have a clue where to find it. Delivery slips and invoices for games didn't get kept long, especially if the game has been proven to work on my computer. You brought up something that I've never thought of and from now on I'll keep the slips permanently. I'm not suggesting anything, nor did I ever try to get a second copy of the manual (anybody found it useful at all?!?), just trying to put that straight in case those people are innocent...

Now on to what I'm trying to say. What if the CD I send get lost in the mail system? I will be left without a rebate, and that means I will be spending FOUR times the money for ONE single game. (compared to an off-the-shelf game here in Australia; SEIV + SEIV Gold = 2 titles but still the same game with 2 sets of shipping and credit card charges; and a title bought from Shrapnel costs approximately twice as much as a brand new game from the local shop)

I don't trust the mail system after a certain not-very-happy incident.

And before you start flaming at me, yes I know I'm don't have any useful solutions, I'm just trying to bring up all the potential problems before things are set in stone.

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: CW ]

[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: CW ]

Tim Brooks · #4 December 6th, 2001, 01:37 PM

quote:
I bought my copy straight through Shrapnel and you guys probably still have my records. But if you ask me for the original order number now I frankly don't have a clue where to find it.

Just to set the record straight, we have never turned down a legit request for a replacement of anything lost. Even if you don't have the manual, you know about when you bought it and where we shipped it. When people can't find their receipt, and they actually purchased the product, they write back stating so and we do a search of our database. No problem. This isn't what we are talking about. Plus, there aren't 20-30 people a week who lose their manuals. Although there are that many and more who get pirated Versions, and can't figure something out and try to get a manual from us, thinking it will help.

We have closed down numerouse auctions on e-bay for pirated Versions and right now are working with the FBI on two known pirates that did a sizable business selling illegal copis of this game.

quote:
What if the CD I send get lost in the mail system?

If you really believe we would deny someone a rebate who deserves it because the cd got lost in the mail, then you don't know us very well. There are ways to confirm your purchase and we will bend over backwards when this actually happens. However, it isn't cost effective for us to do this for everyone who requests a rebate - the rebate system we have in place will keep our costs down.

tesco samoa · #5 December 6th, 2001, 03:58 PM

Well I got mine from Chips and bits. It cost 2 arms and a leg at the time.

For the new one. I will not be requesting the rebate. But I ask that the 15$ goes towards SEIV#5

or to keep this great site going. It will be my way of saying thank you very much for the many,many hours spent with your products and and at your web site. And thanks for the 5 dollars off

Tim Brooks · #6 December 6th, 2001, 04:49 PM

This is to all who frequent the Space Empires IV Forums:

I just want to say that the SEIV crowd is great! You guys are so supportive of Aaron and Shrapnel Games and I want you to know how much we appreciate it.

Best to all and Merry Christmas!

Tim Brooks · #7 December 6th, 2001, 04:50 PM

Also:

Don't know if it will get on the site today, but we will be offering Space Empires IV GOLD Mouse Pads for those interested. We just cut the deal yesterday and I know it is scheduled to get into the Game Shop today, but sometimes we can be a little slow.