Stardock selling dominions

[S.R. Krol]

The downgrading of stores selling PC games happened years ago when the console market overtook it. What's surprising is that in 2007 you can still find *any* PC gaming on the shelf. EB Games/Gamestop had talked about for years that the only PC games they would carry in store would be ones that were also selling on consoles, but that hasn't come to pass. At the same time the in store inventory of PC games is so pathetic that it doesn't matter.

And yes, online resellers did play somewhat of a part since they could discount titles. This is why big box stores like console games, they can sell them for $59.99 and no one expects to pay less than that for them.

I can't help but think that during the transition period it was a perfect opportunity for the return of the mom 'n pop computer retailer. Back in the '80s there were plenty of folks who would have a store aimed directly at selling software, and while they would do most of their business mail order they still had a retail front. The nice thing was that the people who worked there cared about the games, and knew them. You could get an opinion on a title and expect it to be correct. Ever try talking to a Gamestop counter twit? 50% only care about the latest Xbox game, and the other 50% don't know squat about anything, they're just working there because their probation officer said they had to have a job.

I know if I had someplace local to buy games from that treated me with respect, I'd be more apt to shop there than a big box store, or the terrible experience that is Gamestop.

[jutetrea]

Before moving down to Florida I had a local EB Games that was actually pretty good, extra pc floor space and every employee I met very into PC games. Haven't had the same experience yet. I fully agree on the customer service angle, luckily you can still get good board gaming CS as most of the game shops I find are mom n' pop.

[HoneyBadger]

I realize that it's a small, grasping, desperate sort of hope with little, if any, basis in reality, but the news that Stardock and Shrapnel are partnering up in even the most limited of ways, leads me to believe in the possibility that someday Stardock and Illwinter will get together to make Dominions 4.

After all, Dominions 4 is not MoM2.

[NTJedi]

HoneyBadger said:
... the news that Stardock and Shrapnel are partnering up in even the most limited of ways, leads me to believe in the possibility that someday Stardock and Illwinter will get together to make Dominions 4.

After all, Dominions 4 is not MoM2.

Based on some posts Kristoffer does seem a little burnt out on proceeding with Dominions_4 and the other fella seems to have interests elsewhere. The developers from Age of Wonders also were burnt out on creating the next sequel despite an active community hungering for more thus the community started creating unofficial patches.

As Kristoffer mentioned the current game engine for Dominions is maxed out and a new engine will need to be created from scratch. If Illwinter doesn't forsee the desire to create Dominions_4 then hopefully they will sell the title to Stardock. The dominions series and age_of_wonders series could be improved in many ways, but hopefully both series have future sequels.

Ideally I would like to see Kristoffer work with Stardock on creating Dominions_4, thus he does his fun parts of developing the game and Stardock developers evolve Dominions_4 to the next era.

[Ballbarian]

Tim Brooks said:
Guys. Whoa. Stardock is not selling Dominions 3. Shrapnel Games is offering Stardock's customers a special discount. Just like Stardock is offering a special discount on Gal Civilizations to Shrapnel's customers.

It is just a joint promotion, as Stardock and Shrapnel both respect each others products.

I still have not received an email about this. What do we need to do to use the "Shrapnel customer" discount on Galactic Civilizations??? I was thinking about picking that up and a 20% discount would be really nice.

[imperishable]

I have just bought Dominions 3 after getting email with offer from Stardock.

I think this game is great. BUT, there is 1 thing I am dissappointed about:

When I bought this game from Stardock's reference, I was expecting to have the same electronic distribution service that Stardock provides. I wanted to download a valid game copy with my own CD key in addition to recieving game box in the mail.

I don't think I would have bought it knowing there is no way to download. I have residency in California, but I am staying in South Korea right now. I can't pickup the package, my family can.

(comment deleted by Forum Administrator)

I think, Dominions could sell more copies if it took advantage of Stardock's electronic distribution service. It works very well and there are many people who would buy it if they knew they could play it in same day.

[S.R. Krol]

imperishable said:
When I bought this game from Stardock's reference, I was expecting to have the same electronic distribution service that Stardock provides.[...]

I don't think I would have bought it knowing there is no way to download.[...]

It works very well and there are many people who would buy it if they knew they could play it in same day.

But it's not like it should have been a surprise that there was no digital delivery available. Under 'Game Info' on the order page it states "Availability: Shrinkwrapped, Manual and CD". If there was a question concerning whether it was offered as a download a quick question to the forum would have gotten you an answer, or dropping us an email.

As far as making it available digitally we of course do offer some of our games as direct downloads. This one we do not. Personally I don't see a big deal of waiting a few days for a game to arrive. Good things come to those that wait, after all. And transit time is never too bad. There's a recent thread where someone from Reunion island (560 miles east of Madgascar!) got their game in 2.5 weeks.

[Annette]

We offer a free downloadable demo found here:
Link to download demo

It includes a tutorial, which should be plenty to get you started while you wait for the game to arrive.

Annette

[S.R. Krol]

Jumping back to the EB Games/Gamestop discussion I was curious about something. Here in Atlanta today there was news of a Gamestop robbed at gunpoint with the manager being killed in the robbery. Now, this seems to happen quite a bit here in Atlanta (and by Atlanta, I'm talking the low-crime, upscale 'burbs and not inside the perimeter). Gamestops are robbed on a fairly regular basis, enough that it seems like working at one is a lot like working the midnight shift at a gas station. What I don't get is why?

Do they have that much cash? I would expect most transactions would be by credit card. You always hear people referring to them as pawn shops, but with that I assumed that they just give you store credit for used games, not actual cash. Anyone have any insight as why they are such lucrative targets for armed robbery?

[Velusion]

S.R. Krol said:
Jumping back to the EB Games/Gamestop discussion I was curious about something. Here in Atlanta today there was news of a Gamestop robbed at gunpoint with the manager being killed in the robbery. Now, this seems to happen quite a bit here in Atlanta (and by Atlanta, I'm talking the low-crime, upscale 'burbs and not inside the perimeter). Gamestops are robbed on a fairly regular basis, enough that it seems like working at one is a lot like working the midnight shift at a gas station. What I don't get is why?

Do they have that much cash? I would expect most transactions would be by credit card. You always hear people referring to them as pawn shops, but with that I assumed that they just give you store credit for used games, not actual cash. Anyone have any insight as why they are such lucrative targets for armed robbery?

Maybe the kiddies buying console games usually pay in cash?