Downloadable retail needed?

[Janster]

I can't be bothered with shipping and handling and waiting, I want it now , please make this game downloadable, or find a download retailer in europe.

Otherwise I am not going to buy it, and I think you will find many will agree with me on that.

Janster

[calmon]

Yep, Galactic Civilization is a very good example that downloading/updating games via internet works successfully. I bought/download both GalCiv I and II via stardock. I can't understand why its still not possible for most of the games. At least for such like dominions III which have only a few/none retailers in a whole country.

[Janster]

It is seriously damaging Dominion III's ability to sell anything whatsoever.

I think the people they need to sell too are NOT found in the walmart shops.

Targeting is alpha omega, unless they have some weird deal with shrapnel, they should cancel it and get a proper online distributor.

Janster

[reverend]

Personally, I don't like download-versions of games.

I prefer to have a professionally pressed CD/DVD, a decent printed manual (esp. with a game like Dominions) and not be hassled with any kind of online activation.

I tried the download-method with UBI (Pe-2 add-on for Pacific Fighters) and I am not impressed. It took just as long for them to confirm my download (because I don't have a credit card, they have to wait until my bank transfers the money before they can confirm the download - shipping is faster, they ship and request the money from my bank at the same time), the installation with the installer and activation was tedious and in the end, I had to burn my own CD so I can reinstall without all that.

Don't get me wrong, it may work for Stardock. But if you can't guarantee that it works perfectly, better don't offer it at all. A bad download-platform and activation procedure is worse than no download at all.

Also, Shrapnel would have to offer more options for payment.

[Nerfix]

Janster said:
It is seriously damaging Dominion III's ability to sell anything whatsoever.

Last time I checked, which was 5 seconds ago, Dominions 3 was the 2nd best selling game at Gamer's Front.

[Shovah32]

So just imagine where it could be with a downloadable version

Honestly i can see the pro's and cons of both sides so i think i better not stress out my little mind by getting involved.

[Nerfix]

Yeah, I know the download version would boost the sales but the "OMU DOMINIONS IS NOT SELLING!!!1" doom and gloom tires me.

[Agrajag]

Do you realize how much it costs to develope on online distribution system that will actually work well?
Or even just "renting" an existing one.

If you feel like donating a few mil to shrapnel, I'm sure they'll see things your way

[PDF]

Agrajag said:
Do you realize how much it costs to develope on online distribution system that will actually work well?
Or even just "renting" an existing one.

If you feel like donating a few mil to shrapnel, I'm sure they'll see things your way

No, renting doesn't cost much, there's a good choice of professionnal e-solutions vendors.
Not making Dom3 available by download is Shrapnel's choice, but it hasn't to do with cost- it'll be less costly than printing the CDs and manuals.

[Folket]

Gamers front have a download service. But I think the manual to dominions 3 makes the game. At last a manual that tells something about the game.