Post-1.19 patch

DirectorTsaarx · #1 February 13th, 2001, 11:38 PM

Just read the MM page; next patch is expected "beginning of next week". Also, for those of you in Europe, they've found a distributor in merry olde England...

tictoc · #2 February 13th, 2001, 11:44 PM

yeeeeeehhhaaaaaa. oops, i forgot, i got mine in the first released batch in november, still brilliant though.

tic

Instar · #3 February 13th, 2001, 11:58 PM

Question for the staff at Shrapnel:
When patches are released, is the Version that goes on the CD patched as well (each new CD made would have the newest Version correct?)

LeTharg · #4 February 14th, 2001, 12:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Instar:
Question for the staff at Shrapnel:
When patches are released, is the Version that goes on the CD patched as well (each new CD made would have the newest Version correct?)

I'm a newbie who just got the CD from Chips and bits. It was the original Version; I had to download the 1.19 patch and install it. That has been my experience with other games as well--I expect that manufacturing games is done in large batches and no one wants to throw stuff away.

ColdSteel · #5 February 14th, 2001, 01:26 AM

Let's hope that if MM does get a deal later on that would allow SE4 to be distributed in retail stores that the Version distributed there is the most recent patched Version. Many of the people who buy games in stores don't even know what a patch is. Them playing the original Version and thinking this is what SE4 is all about could really hurt the game's word of mouth. Be nice if the game could put its best foot forward, so to speak.

[This message has been edited by ColdSteel (edited 13 February 2001).]

Richard · #6 February 14th, 2001, 02:25 AM

Not right now, it costs Malfador and us a decent chunk of change to burna new master and start the process from scratch.

As far as retail any deals that do happen would be through us...

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

phalen · #7 February 14th, 2001, 07:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by ColdSteel:
Many of the people who buy games in stores don't even know what a patch is. Them playing the original Version and thinking this is what SE4 is all about could really hurt the game's word of mouth.

Well I would have to agree in one sense you are right... The average computer user barely knows about the internet... ie aol and the bad name they gave their selves.. heheh but one thing i could see that WOULD help the game is to send out a bunch of demo's to computer shops and stores etc... but make them still buy off the site.. honestly i dont know if seIV would be able to handle being shipped to stores.. as the game is still being refined and defining its self, i think that is one of its best assets.. not that its a beta but that its evolving.

I found out about it via computer gameing world, when they did a review and am VERY glad i did

Atrocities · #8 February 14th, 2001, 10:01 AM

One option would be to include written instructions with each CD that clearly states that the game has Patches, and explain what they are. Provide the buyer with the tools to understand what a patch is, and where and how to get it, and they will forever be grateful. Installing a patch is as simple as they come, but even the most intelligent person, ie my dad, has difficulty doing it. I often get calls from him asking me to stop buy and install something for him. I got tired of doing this, and gave him very easy to understand, step by step instructions on how to install something and hunt for updates for it. Since then, He has only called me once, and that was because he broke the coffee cup holder thingy on his PC. (j/k) He only called to ask me what operating system he had.

(I know just as bad.

)

My point is, if you give em the basics, and they do it for themselves, they begin to understand, and that is a great feeling. But to have an up to date CD would be nice too.

Hint Hint.

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"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Patric Stewart as Captain Picard
UCP/TCO Ship Yards

Nyx · #9 February 14th, 2001, 07:57 PM

I agree with Nethog, a number of games have the option of installing the upgrades off the net automatically. All the Online games (StarCraft, EverQuest, Mankind, all the rest) run a Version check each time you log on to the servers. That's probably too much to ask, but adding an option to the TCP/IP connection window to check for latest update would be nice. Especially since the most important time is when you get an error because one of your opponents has a different Version number.

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Compete in the Space Empires IV World Championship at www.twingalaxies.com.

Nethog · #10 February 15th, 2001, 02:12 AM

A possible solution to the "newbie-patch" problem, is for the installation program to ask the user if they want to check for a software update over the internet, and then automatically install the update. There could also be a button on the main startup screen to check for and install new patches, and perhaps even a program option that can be turned on to check for new patches on a user specified schedule (e.g. every 5th time SEIV is run).

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Nethog