OT: GalCiv to release a Free Expansion Pack

Atrocities · #1 July 18th, 2003, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Galactic Civilizations was released earlier this year hot on the heels of a higher-profile competing game, Master of Orion III, but it managed to garner critical acclaim and sales that exceeded expectations. The game's developer, Stardock, is following up this success in a surprising way--with an expansion pack that will be available as a free download for registered owners of the game. Stardock's Brad Wardell said the expansion is intended to give the game more Lasting power at retail and reward the game's fan base.

The free add-on will specifically address feedback Stardock has received from players. The interface has been enhanced with the addition of a built-in screen for navigating the tech tree and deciding which research direction to take, a waypoint system to automatically send ships to specific locations, and hyperlinks on many screens to make it easier to reference related information. There's also a galaxy star manager to list all the stars in the galaxy according to various details and search for specific stars. It's now possible to research technologies that improve existing ships, and enhanced AI governors can make it easier to manage planets and take obsolete ship designs off build queues.

Stardock is making some more-general content additions as well, including many new ethical dilemma story events. In addition to the inclusion of new event graphics, the graphics for stars and spatial anomalies have been redone. Other major changes include an even larger galaxy size option, a cheat mode, and various updates to the game's widely praised AI opponents.

The free expansion is due out in September. - www.Gamespot.com

Tis good news for those of us who have the game. Althought I no longer play it, to boring, tis still good news. At least two games in the 4x market are doing ok. SEIV and GalCiv.

I think it would be a great idea for Shrapnel to sell SE IV in stores like Software Botque and such.(sp)

Lord Kodos · #2 July 18th, 2003, 05:26 AM

I agree. I see no reason why SE cant be as big a franchise as Sid Meirs Civ series. Or MOO.

PsychoTechFreak · #3 July 18th, 2003, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Althought I no longer play it, to boring, tis still good news. At least two games in the 4x market are doing ok. SEIV and GalCiv.

Boring? Any details about that before I try it. Recently I started with freelancer (comparison to starfury anyone?), but galciv is still on my list.

narf poit chez BOOM · #4 July 18th, 2003, 08:12 AM

some people have said that selling it in store's would cost to much and that it's bringing in a lot of money in internet sales.

Fyron · #5 July 18th, 2003, 09:19 AM

He probably meant boring because each game plays just like the Last one (esp. in comparison to how different two games of SE4 can be). It has IMO a lot less replay value than games like SE4, MOO2, Civ, etc. A big part of it is because you can only be one race, humans. You can not play it from different perspectives. The different political parties help some, but it does not approach the feeling of playing as aliens.

CNCRaymond · #6 July 18th, 2003, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PsychoTechFreak:

quote:
Originally posted by Atrocities:
Althought I no longer play it, to boring, tis still good news. At least two games in the 4x market are doing ok. SEIV and GalCiv.

Boring? Any details about that before I try it. Recently I started with freelancer (comparison to starfury anyone?), but galciv is still on my list.

I think what he ment to say was that given his tastes it eventually became borning. I love the game and still play it. It cost me $30.00, and it was well worth the money. If Shrapnel would have sold SE IV in the stores like GalCiv did, then SEIV would be 100 X more popular.

Roanon · #7 July 18th, 2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by narf poit chez BOOM:
some people have said that selling it in store's would cost to much and that it's bringing in a lot of money in internet sales.

Yes, I think this is the problem. A common problem in many areas: distributors want to make a lot more money from something they just sell than they want to give the one who actually did the work creating/making it. Doesn't make sense to sell several thousand copies more if you end up with less money than what you get for just the few that are selling now.
Stands to reason that in a lot of ancient mythologies the same god was responsible for thieves AND merchants...

And besides, I'm happy we are not flooded with kiddes urgently demanding a new patch with a few dozen cheat codes as most important missing game feature

Quote:

Other major changes include an even larger galaxy size option, a cheat mode,[...]

Fyron · #8 July 18th, 2003, 07:51 PM

SE4 Gold (just gold) hit the $500,000 mark about a year ago, actually.

If it was in retail, MM would have gotten something like 5% (or less) of that. I do not know how much they get with the current Online model, but it is much, much higher.

General Woundwort · #9 July 18th, 2003, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
SE4 Gold (just gold) hit the $500,000 mark about a year ago, actually. If it was in retail, MM would have gotten something like 5% (or less) of that. I do not know how much they get with the current Online model, but it is much, much higher.

Which may be one reason they can afford to pay closer attention to the nuts like us who play the game and pester them with advice and comments.

CNCRaymond · #10 July 18th, 2003, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roanon:
And besides, I'm happy we are not flooded with kiddes urgently demanding a new patch with a few dozen cheat codes as most important missing game feature

quote:
Other major changes include an even larger galaxy size option, a cheat mode,[...]

[/QB]

If you want to cheat, then edit the game files to give your race the advantage or disadvantage.

I often hate games that allow people to cheat so easily. At least in SEIV its an option and not always on. I love being scared that the AI will attack one of my planets and I am powerless to stop them.