SEIV Standard (paid for) -VS- SEIV GOLD

[Boz]

Okey dokey.. I hate to beat a dead horse, as I'm certain this has come up before. However, considering I wasn't around for that round of discussion, please allow me to rehash this particular issue.

~WHY~ must I pay an additional +40$ Bucks for a game I already paid for? Because they tacked on the name gold?

Now, I'm not complaining... erm.. wait, I am indeed complaining, however, let me explain.

I paid for the SEIV standard release. I enjoyed it for the most part, though, it definatly had it's flaws, namely the Race AI's were weak.

Also, note, that I just plopped down the additional $40 required to obtain the "Gold".

My thing is.. I don't feel good about it. I feel cheated. Please, could someone tell me that the extra $40 was worth it?

I truly like Malfador Machinations, one of the things that made me support them in the first place was their approach to releasing software.
Then, they pull this stunt and I can't help but feel betrayed. Perhaps I just needed to vent, however, if I don't feel my money was well spent, when I get the Gold, I probably won't be purchasing anymore MM products.

Not sure how I feel about Shrapnal Games yet. I do enjoy their games for the most part.

I'm whining now aren't I? Sorry.
I'll stop now, but if anyone has anything they'd like to add.. you know, reassuring me it's gonna be okay, or just agreeing with me, feel free to post.

~Boz

[Fyron]

They had numerous rebates and discounts for people that pre-ordered, dropping the cost down to $20... IIRC, the only reason MM released a Gold was because it was that, or go out of business.

[oleg]

It is an understandable complain. I understand you. But it is just happens, I do not play unmodded SE(Gold) at all. I play either Proportions or AIC. Those mods could not exist in pre-Gold SE. It is the admirable and relentless feedback from MM that made those mods possible. Thus, for me at least, Gold SE is a fundamentally new game worth paying for.

P.S. I refused to cash my rebate. SE->SE(Gold) is as good as getting a new game.

[ August 21, 2003, 22:47: Message edited by: oleg ]

[Lord_Shleepy]

My thing is.. I don't feel good about it. I feel cheated. Please, could someone tell me that the extra $40 was worth it?

Ahh...how typical. I'm shorry my friend...sounds like you got a shlight screwing. Unless I'm mishtaken, SE Gold just went on sale...you coulda saved a couple bucks. :-)

But sale or no sale, Gold is a worthy buy if you like SEIV. While there isn't a LOT of new game play, there are many tweaks that relieve annoyances from regular SEIV and make game play more enjoyable. Not only that...it allows you to keep up to date on patches, mods, etc. It is a wee bit expensive if all you want is an upgrade although, again, there were better deals in the past.

I found it to be worth it...tho...of course...I am a man of great means and influence. :-)

*****Returns to overstuffed money bed for a short nap*****

[Suicide Junkie]

There is a Version of the TDM modpack for SE4 Classic, I don't have a link handy though.

There is a good list of the gold changes in the History (zip) file.

[Arkcon]

I gotta admit, I felt like I had to buy SE4 Gold. I didn't want to be left out of the new upgrades and mods. If you have a bunch of friends who wanted to play Classic, then you didn't need to get Gold.

I gave away my Classic CD to a friend who I know would never buy a game. So it's fair all around.

Classic and Gold were separated by at least a year. They were the only games I bought in that time period. So, financially, I wasn't hurt by this. These were my games of the year. I don't have an NES and an Xbox, for example. Just the same 5 year old computer. People who buy a dozen games a year may have a different opinion on what they want from a game release.

I wanted to support Malfador, so I never went for the rebate. Wouldn't have been fair, friend with the game and all. I preordered, and got a rebate from that, and MM and Shrapnel got to cash the credit card and keep themselves a little more in the black for a little while. It was win-win as I saw it. Some people missed the rebate. Don't know what to say about that.

I'm grateful Shrapnel was here to provide marketing support, this forum, etc. Marketing and sales, credit card processing, shipping, handling -- that stuff just seems to happen magically, but it's not so. I may not add to the pure enjoyment of the game, but it's part of life that some costs don't seem as important to us unless we step back and try to understand them.

[ August 21, 2003, 23:35: Message edited by: Arkcon ]

[Baron Grazic]

Boz, I was in a debate with myself about purchasing Gold, but it came down to, I find the AI to easy and like (prefer) playing humans, of which most games were with Gold.

[Fyron]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
There is a Version of the TDM modpack for SE4 Classic, I don't have a link handy though.

There is a good list of the gold changes in the History (zip) file.

Check the downloads section of http://www.spaceempires.net

Or, go to the TDM home page:

http://home.t-Online.de/home/320045362204-0001/

[Boz]

Well, thank you all for your responses.
I suppose if it's for a greater cause, I suppose I can live with it.

However, I do spend far too much money on PC games, so I have to be very picky when it comes to purchases.

Recently, I bought Moo3 and Sims Deluxe The point is, another $40 bucks for a game I have is just well.. it just sticks in my craw.

But, again, I suppose, if they need the money to keep them going, I suppose I shouldn't complain too much. After all, there is no denying MM's dedication to their fanbase/playerbase.

I've been away for awhile, and haven't played SE in quite some time, probably been over nine months since it's even been on my Hard Drive. But, That is mainly because I got so messed up with all the AI's and such. I kinda spent too much time tryin' to sort out all the RACES that I quickly became tired of the whole thing.

But, now, that I want to return, I find that it's gonna cost me $40 bucks to get back up to par?
I suppose it might be worth it just to avoid having to huntdown and load all the newest races and mods and such.

Well.. I'll quite complainin', besides, it's too late anyway, they got my money. I am intrigued by their newest project however... "SE: Something or other" That non-linar freestyle game sounds like it has promise.

Ohhhh.. quick question. I orderd the SEIV: Gold CD from Gamers Front. While I'm waiting for the CD to arrive, should be about four days, is there anywhere I can download the Gold so I can get started?

I have the day off tomorrow and would like to play. Otherwise, I'll recieve the game in the middle of the work week and one of two things will happen.. 1) I'll load it up and be late for work, probably getting fired, or 2) Live with the torture of knowing I have the Game but can't play for another two or three days.

Thanks again, I do feel alittle bit better about the money spent. Is MM doin' better financially now?

Edit/ P.S. I don't play multi-play at all. Due to the nature of my job, I do not usually have regular schedules and what not. Thus, previous attempts at tryin' to MP have not worked out. Thus, single play quality is First and Foremost for my needs. I'm in LawEnforcement and in the National Guards, Thus, I go away for weeks and even months at a time, also, my regular work schedule is pretty much at the whim of my superiors, and they are a fickle bunch.

Are the Gold Race AI's even somewhat formidable opponents in Single Play?

[ August 22, 2003, 00:00: Message edited by: Boz ]

[Fyron]

While I'm waiting for the CD to arrive, should be about four days, is there anywhere I can download the Gold so I can get started?

No.

Is MM doin' better financially now?

To my knowledge, yes.