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Thinking of cancelling my pre-order

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Thinking of cancelling my pre-order

I still love GalCiv though!

from GalCiv3 Forums

As we get closer to the alpha of GalCiv3, one thought haunts my brain; "no, this is not the way."

First of all let me clarify where I come from. I am thirty years of age and can be considered an old-school gamer. My first "gaming rig" was an Atari 2600. The black plastic one from 1984, also known as the 2600 Junior. After that I got a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. I still remember the smell when I opened the box for the first time and playing Super Mario World for the first time. It's my fondest childhood memory and probably the reason I like physical media so much.

I got my first PC at the end of 1995. It had Windows 95 and a I got a bunch of games for both DOS and Windows. For those of you who don't know; this was the time period where the first 3D accelerators appeared and DirectX was on it's first iteration; it was not the massive beast we know today. My fondest memories of those times were coming home with a new game and opening the box. Believe it or not but most games had printed manuals, some even in colour! There is something about having the box displayed on a shelf, as if it's saying; "Look at me! My owner bought me and is proud of it!"

And that's where that haunting thought comes in. Though I don't have anything against digital distribution, it just doesn't feel right to not have a box standing on the shelf. Something you can hold in your hands and be happy about, thinking; "Yeah, I bought this. It was a good decision.". But that's not the only thing about GalCiv 3's digital distribution that bothers me. From what I've read, you need internet and Steam and that is the most bothersome.

What if I want to play it on a computer without internet and Steam? What if I don't have it installed and lose my internet connection (money problems, moving to Pluto or somewhere else without internet access) ? How will I be able to install the game then?

This troubles me to the extend that I am seriously thinking of trying to cancel my pre-order (if still possible).

(It is also stuff like this that drives me to download an unauthorized copy of a game. Because those, you can install on any computer without internet or Steam.)

I understand it's probably too expensive for Stardock to have physical media but is there any chance we will be able to download the game, burn it on a disc and install it on a computer without an internet connection and Steam? That would make me feel a whole lot more comfortable.

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Reply #126 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Used to be sceptical, then it just became practical. There is no going back now!

I do miss those "phone catalogue" sized manuals though. That must have taken some serious deforestation. He he.

Got access to an Atari console of some sort as a kid. It came with a battle between two tanks as a standard. Very square tanks at that. :-)

Then the C-64. Then the Amiga 500. And then the 1200. And then some kind of Intel 486, where you would be lucky to get sound... After that it became a matter of upgrading eternally, under the PC umbrella. A very straight road indeed... And now I can't get back into stuff without a mouse. So my money is on the old school house. ;-)

Reply #127 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting NitroX, reply 23
 One of the reasons I sometimes pirate is because there is no demo of the game and I want to try it before I buy it.
End of NitroX's quote

 

I love it.  "I would not have stolen the game if they had made a demo version"

 

 

Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #128 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I am the same age as you, I also have been a gamer since my dearest childhood, but I started with NES not Atari.

I still collect retro consoles and games, I have hundreds of physical games. But at this point, for new PC games I say good riddance. I have too many damn boxes already, I like digital distribution. 

I used to hate Steam, I even boycotted them for years and was very vocal about it. But recently I changed my oppinion. When you compare them to other DRM/store softwares they are not that bad. They corrected most of the things I did not like about them and they are actually pushing Linux, which I am favourable to.

 

Edit: Just noticed the date I thought it was a new thread :p

Reply #129 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting cichlidfan, reply 127

I love it.  "I would not have stolen the game if they had made a demo version"
 
End of cichlidfan's quote

You would be laughing, but I know few people who actually do that - they use pirated games as demos. If they like it, they buy legal copy, if they don't, well, no money lost. Because unlike demo, which could be simply vertical slice, having only good moments, full version of game allow you to see game in full.

And no, I don't think people will take it for free when they can. If you like the project, you'll probably support it, just because you want more like it.

Reply #130 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Rudy_102, reply 129

And no, I don't think people will take it for free when they can. If you like the project, you'll probably support it, just because you want more like it.
End of Rudy_102's quote

Except for all the people that do exactly that. The #1 reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates, and there isn't much you can do about that.

Reply #131 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Personally I find it ironic, when person who bought Cadillac SUV (sorry, don't know exact name), with most expensive options available, pirate videogames instead of buying them, because he doesn't see the reason pay for "zeroes and ones". Should I say he also try to use cheapest maintenance components for his car, paying more for breakage and repairs at the end. He enjoys the fact he "saved" 20 bucks on some detail, only to pay few grands to repair damages inflicted by unauthorized spare part later. Do I need to add he has "modern expensive smartphone", but without unlimited plan, so he always call you and then instantly cancels his call?

 

You can't change those people, so why bother about those who would never buy your stuff anyway? Maybe it's better to turn your attention towards those who is willing to pay, yet for some reasons undecided? For example, I don't pay attention to media coverage, previews, let's plays and similar stuff. If impression from game's presentation in store is not instant "go buy it" as it was with Banished or Gnomoria, or game is not from "instant seal of approval" developer like Stardock, I need something to encourage me to buy that game. Probably the only option here is letting me play it. And to do that, ignoring that option we already discussed, I see only two options available - demo version, and free weekend. I don't know how difficult it is to make stand-alone demo, but seeing lack of those, I'm quite reluctant towards many titles released recently, yet it was the demo, that sold Euro Truck Simulator 2, Trine, or Frozen Synapse for me. I don't know what money other devs lost simply because their initial offering wasn't that much attractive for me and they've done nothing to encourage me to spent more money on their game. But I know one thing - those who done something to convince me to buy their product got the money. Moreover, they impressed me that much, so I bought those games for my friends as well. That's the difference between providing demo for me, and, well, "not providing".

Of course, it was the demo of Jagged Alliance: Back in ArsAction which proved that any sane person shouldn't touch it with ten foot mine probe, while wearing NBC suit donned over sapper's armour, but it's not demo problem, it's game problem. I wonder, if "big" games developers are aware of that, and that's the reason why they don't release demo versions, how do you think?

 

I'm not going to rely on pirating games to use them as "extended demo versions", simply because when I'll buy that game afterwards, that would mean I used incentive to support lazy developer who've done nothing to convince me to buy his game. Why should I waste my time and my money on his game, when I have huge backlog of games from developers I like, whom I respect, and who, through their actions (and not words), show their care for their customers? So I'd better invest my money into developer I like, even if I'm not going to play their game, at least not right now.

 

Maybe (maybe) I'll buy those games I'm quite reluctant towards now, when they lose massive amount of their price, but seeing how many of those games' sales I missed for years, I doubt that.

Reply #132 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Tridus, reply 130
The #1 reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates
End of Tridus's quote

Tridus, when you say it as such an absolute, you are effectively accusing everyone in the whole world of being cutthroat thieves. How about trying some qualifying adjectives for a change.

Reply #133 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Lucky, reply 132

Quoting Tridus, reply 130 The #1 reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates

Tridus, when you say it as such an absolute, you are effectively accusing everyone in the whole world of being cutthroat thieves. How about trying some qualifying adjectives for a change.
End of Lucky's quote

That's not an absolute statement by any means. If you'd prefer an alternate wording, try "The most common reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates."

Have you ever seen one of those commercials that say "The number one cause of death for women is heart disease"? They're not saying heart disease is the *only* cause, they're saying it's the most prevalent cause.

Reply #134 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting WIllythemailboy, reply 133
That's not an absolute statement by any means. If you'd prefer an alternate wording, try "The most common reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates."

Have you ever seen one of those commercials that say "The number one cause of death for women is heart disease"? They're not saying heart disease is the *only* cause, they're saying it's the most prevalent cause.
End of WIllythemailboy's quote

I think you are failing to parse the sentences clearly. Your "heart disease" statement clearly parses as you say. Tridus's statement does not. It parses more like "People are cheapskates which is the primary reason for piracy." Hence, he is calling ALL people cheapskates. He doesn't say "Some people", "A few people", or even "Many people", he only says "People", which can only carry the qualifier "All".

Reply #135 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Saying ''people are X or poeple are Y'' is a pretty common way of saying '' Most or many people are X or Y '', I for one understood that Tridus was not implying that 100% of the world`s population are cheapskates. 

I guess you have a right to not like it when people express themselves in such a diminutive manner but this one is so common it's really pointless making a fuss about it. Imho. 

 

Reply #136 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Lucky, reply 134


Quoting WIllythemailboy, reply 133That's not an absolute statement by any means. If you'd prefer an alternate wording, try "The most common reason for piracy is that people are cheapskates."

Have you ever seen one of those commercials that say "The number one cause of death for women is heart disease"? They're not saying heart disease is the *only* cause, they're saying it's the most prevalent cause.

I think you are failing to parse the sentences clearly. Your "heart disease" statement clearly parses as you say. Tridus's statement does not. It parses more like "People are cheapskates which is the primary reason for piracy." Hence, he is calling ALL people cheapskates. He doesn't say "Some people", "A few people", or even "Many people", he only says "People", which can only carry the qualifier "All".
End of Lucky's quote

I also said the #1 reason, which fairly obviously implies that there's others. And of course people not pirating it are obviously not cheapskates (at least in that regard).

But whatever. I've heard every excuse and justification in the book when it comes to piracy. At the end of the day, the overwhelming majority of cases are nothing more than "I can get something without having to pay for it, no particular risk of being punished, and no social stigma for doing it."

Course, I develop software for a living and my best friend works for an AAA game studio. People in that position tend to not have a high patience for calling piracy anything other than what it really is (most of the time).

Reply #137 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Well I read one time in maximum pc that 93% of gamers steal games to play, It didn't say how it just said they did. It was talking about the success of the free to play games. I was reading what I think I recall a defense for Linux that 60-70% of computer users in the home pirate either operating systems or software. The irony is Linux wants to give this away.

Reply #138 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

OK. I guess what we have here is a total misunderstanding of what someone is saying. Any spoken language is a poor means of communication, although it is the best means we have. My apologies for not being clear as to your meaning.

Reply #139 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

No worries. :)

Reply #140 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Looks like we are in the minority.

Reply #141 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Tridus, reply 139

No worries.
End of Tridus's quote

Don't worry, be happy? :)

Reply #142 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I'm a similar age to you, and my gaming hardware history was quite similar to yours, yet my view is the complete opposite.  Physical media is inefficient and unreliable.  Discs can break, they can be damaged, and that means that you can have problems installing games when you only have a copy on disc, discs can be lost and the boxes take up space in your home.

I honestly don't understand this obsession with being able to hold something!  I wish movies were as easy to buy and store digitally as games are on Steam.   I wish I could pay to stream any movie, so I don't have to have a goddamn disc in my house for it.  Physical currency even irritates me these days, it's just such an inconvenience!  My biggest frustrations in 2014 are people and organisations that refuse to accept the modern standard.

Reply #143 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting ForesterSOF, reply 140

Looks like we are in the minority.
End of ForesterSOF's quote

 

The minority will always rule the majority. Even if it is only morally. But that is one way to deal with reality. Said with more than a little duality. ;-)

Reply #144 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

This reads as: I want my money back because I dont want to download a game so I can download a pirated game and steal this hardworking game developers money.

Epic fail.

Devs read these forums...

Reply #145 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Game stores need to switch to a model of selling more digital downloads. Maybe have a card that you can later trade in for money rather than a disc. That card then gets scanned and the product deactivated (but not deleted so you can buy one cheaper later on) from your account.

Reply #146 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting copespace, reply 145

Game stores need to switch to a model of selling more digital downloads. Maybe have a card that you can later trade in for money rather than a disc. That card then gets scanned and the product deactivated (but not deleted so you can buy one cheaper later on) from your account.
End of copespace's quote

You can already buy 'digital' versions of Blizzard titles in Gamestop. You basically just buy a 'card' from which you get Diablo3 or WoW.

Reply #147 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Indeed, and over here you can also buy steam wallet cash and origin digital downloads. But I think they need to do it more and with a system that allows digital trade ins.

Reply #148 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I didnt like when Skyrim came out that required Steam Account as well, either you buy it or dont buy it. Yes i do want this offline play, esp if you dont have internet, but you will need it to activate your account and verified your cd keys.

When Diablo III came out, it was a huge let down. Number one is cant play offline, and secondly, itsnt even a diablo game at all.

I dont know if i will like GalCiv3 or not, i wasnt too happy with the first two. Personally i like Distant Worlds alot better, just need more improvements. If they make or allow to have huge glaxay map like 1200 systems, then i may reconsider. Gonna need map editor and better be modable as well.

Reply #149 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Redindus, reply 148

I dont know if i will like GalCiv3 or not, i wasnt too happy with the first two. Personally i like Distant Worlds alot better, just need more improvements. If they make or allow to have huge glaxay map like 1200 systems, then i may reconsider. Gonna need map editor and better be modable as well.
End of Redindus's quote

 

If you did not like the first two GalCiv iterations, why are you here?

Reply #150 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting cichlidfan, reply 149

Quoting Redindus, reply 148
I dont know if i will like GalCiv3 or not, i wasnt too happy with the first two. Personally i like Distant Worlds alot better, just need more improvements. If they make or allow to have huge glaxay map like 1200 systems, then i may reconsider. Gonna need map editor and better be modable as well.

 

If you did not like the first two GalCiv iterations, why are you here?
End of cichlidfan's quote

 

For the mod of course. Making changed so players would be happy with it. And want to see if they can do better than they did before :)