SEIV GOLD Rebate

Tim Brooks · #1 December 4th, 2001, 12:42 AM

Hi All:

There have been some Posts regarding the SEIV GOLD Rebate in a number of topics, so I thought I would discuss this here.

We thought long and hard about how to handle this, and requiring the CD, or a piece thereof, was our solution to many problems. Is it the best solution we could come up with. Here was our process:

Facts:

1. There are over 40,000 pirated copies of SEIV in existance (our conservative estimate). This includes the numbers of Users who buy the game copy the CD and then resell the original for say $25.00 - BUT continue to play with what is now a pirated Version of the game. It they don't have the original CD, then they don't own the game.

2. We have sold many thousands of copies into mom-and-pop retailers and internet distributors like Chips and Bits. We have no access to who bought what from these folks.

3. Digital copying makes it easy to copy the manual cover so that we couldn't tell if it was an original or not. Yes, you would have to be didicated, but not impossible. This is not possible with the CD.

4. We want everyone entitled to a rebate to have one if desired. However, many people have expressed interest in buying at full value to further support Aaron and his work rather than saving $15 -$20.

5. To ship a piece of the CD with our logo to a foreign country with the form would cost us 80 cents. We hopefully figured that the reverse would be true so the expense will not be outrageous to get your rebate.

I will drop by from time to time to try to answer questions and if someone can come up with a better solution that protects our interests, please feel free to post.

Puke · #2 December 4th, 2001, 01:39 AM

is the new Version backwards compatable? if i buy the gold edition, will i be able to play in PBW games with people whom have only the old Version? that would kill part of the reason to persue the rebate, as you would be cutting yourself off form part of the player base by not having copies of both Versions.

also, is the non-gold Version going to continue to be supported in patches? i would imagine not..

maybe including a 'legacy' copy of the game on the new gold CD (space allowing) would make it so that destroying the old CD is no loss. since the old Version would not be updated any longer, that legacy copy would let people play with anyone who has not upgraded to gold.

Dravis · #3 December 4th, 2001, 01:51 AM

What about the packing slip? it could be coppied but if you limit it to one per household, so that would be very hard.
I personnally don't want to break the SE4 CD.

Master Belisarius · #4 December 4th, 2001, 02:05 AM

I wrote my view about it, in other topic, but want to comment about the facts that you wrote:

- About facts 1 and 3: I think that if a guy got a SE4 pirated copy, probably will get a pirated SE4 Gold copy too. If not, well, at least you got a customer! And also, you can see my view about the Fact 2.

- Fact 2. Well, we live in the knowledge age, right? I think that Shrapnel could get the info anyway... If not, well, so bad, this guy will be forced to send the piece of the CD.

- Fact 4: purchasing a new copy of the same game (although will include improvements), it's in my view, a way to support Aaron... with or without the rebate.

- Fact 5: first must say that I really dislike the idea to destroy the CD. Second, I'm pretty sure that will be unable to send the piece using the standard mail, and at least from my country, will be more expensive to me, send the piece than receive the rebate.

Puke · #5 December 4th, 2001, 02:34 AM

it will fit in a regular envelope, and should not weigh more than two or three sheets of paper. that is, if you just send in the logo. why does it cost extra postage if it does not weigh more than a regular letter or if it does not take a larger envelope?

if the old cd has that much sentimental value to it, dont send in for the rebate. seems simple enough. of course, this is probaby why god invented proof-of-purchace in the form of UPCs and boxtops. the manual is probably about as hard to reproduce as a UPC, so why not ask for the cover, or a specific page? if it can be reproduced on the same stock of paper and such, it would certainly cost more than $15 to do. at least in the time and effort involved. or hell, just ask for the whole freakin manual. it will weigh more than the chip off the CD, but it might be better for some people than breaking the disc.

Tim Brooks · #6 December 4th, 2001, 03:14 AM

quote:
maybe including a 'legacy' copy of the game on the new gold CD (space allowing) would make it so that destroying the old CD is no loss. since the old Version would not be updated any longer, that legacy copy would let people play with anyone who has not upgraded to gold.

I like this idea. We will look into it.

quote:
What about the packing slip? it could be coppied but if you limit it to one per household, so that would be very hard.

Again, you are assuming everyone bought from us. Also, not many people keep packing slips. It has to be fair to all and not a drain on our resources.

Also mentioned was getting everybody's databases - this is impractical, probably impossible, and expensive as we would be searching through many databases. If it costs us $10.00 to verify the sale, well, there goes the rebate.

And you can mail the piece in a standard envelope. You don't need special packaging.

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

Will · #7 December 4th, 2001, 04:25 AM

Well, as for me... I figure I'm going to keep the original CD (sentimental value), and shell out the extra $15. And I wouldn't consider sending the manual, I got a signed copy!

Puke · #8 December 4th, 2001, 09:06 AM

you got a signed copy? when were they offering those?

MMs in SF, yeah? Think I could get my CD signed if i knocked on their door? Think it would help if i brought burgers and beer?

CW · #9 December 4th, 2001, 11:49 AM

quote:
5. To ship a piece of the CD with our logo to a foreign country with the form would cost us 80 cents. We hopefully figured that the reverse would be true so the expense will not be outrageous to get your rebate.

I don't live in the US, so is the rebate available here in Australia? From your words it sounded like a "yes", but unless the cheque is drawn on a local bank I can't see how I can redeem it.

Q · #10 December 4th, 2001, 12:03 PM

I see the same problem as CW. My bank will charge the equivalent of around 10 US $ to cash a cheque from the US (I live in Switzerland). So there will be almost no profit left.
But I bought the gold Version anyway as a support for the game and MM, so I do not care too much about the discount and will probably keep the original CD to make a gift to someone.

[ 04 December 2001: Message edited by: Q ]