Proposed New Expansion Policy at Matrix

[ravincravin]

Hey Distant Worlds and Matrix, how about a new pricing policy with respect to expansions. Just like a baker's dozen, how about making every third expansion a free patch instead of charging for it. Kind of like a developers "Thank You" to his loyal fans and supporters. Plus this will keep the cost of the complete Distant Worlds within reason.

How about it guys? [:'(]

[ASHBERY76]

Something about the developer needing to eat and stuff.

[bryanhbell]

The last update (at the end of August) was free. Plus, they discounted the game and all its expansions for 2 weeks after they released it. I don't have a problem with Matrix charging for the expansions.

[ehsumrell1]

Yeah Paul, I understand what you're saying, but remember that Matrix still must pay wages to their
people for the sales, development hours, etc., for all of the company's software production.
(i.e. Distant Worlds sales might be low/high compared to one of the War game titles)
Unfortunately, business is business. [:)]

[Harrs]

Yes but to find new customers.. they could offe a DW gold package or so.. and put all Expansions and the core game for 60 bucks..

[WoodMan]

Matrix/Codeforce actually have pretty much the best ongoing post-release support I've come across for a game here with Distant Worlds. I'm perfectly happy with what they give us for free already with all the patches (some even had new features too) and perfectly happy to pay for the expansions!

I always thought some kind of demo where you were restricted to just the tutorial so people could try the game would have been good for bringing in new people since it is an expensive game, but then maybe it is not so easy to implement something like that.

[Darkspire]

The last update (at the end of August) was free

I thought that was a patch?
Only problem is with DW is the support. There are loads of little niggles with the UI, font size, general program functions etc that never seem to be addressed, its a great game but could be so much better if these issues could be fixed with a few updates purely to fix these problems, not once or twice or a year but every few months or so.
I am aware that its a one man show regards Codeforce but the longer they go untouched and the more that is added to the program the harder it will become to root out these problems and the more it will steer towards a complete re-write.

Darkspire

[WiZz]

ORIGINAL: WoodMan
Matrix/Codeforce actually have pretty much the best ongoing post-release support I've come across for a game here with Distant Worlds. I'm perfectly happy with what they give us for free already with all the patches (some even had new features too) and perfectly happy to pay for the expansions!

Really? What about patch, that fixes troubles with empire policies on non-English windows OS?

[adecoy95]

[8|]

its hard enough for game devs to see money in their hands from their work these days....

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: adecoy95

[8|]

its hard enough for game devs to see money in their hands from their work these days....

There is nothing that sparks interest more than a few patches being released that fix problems, it always pulls in more people, two examples off the the top of my head, GalCiv (the first one) and Diablo II, the devs worked closely with the community and released balancing and game fixing patches, the games even after all this time still stand head and shoulders above many of the same genre IMHO because of this, everyone on here recognises that pulling more people in would be good for DW, and with the price of DW and its expansions it cant be that hard to set a budget ceiling from the point of view of Codeforce, once the money needed for a year has been reached spend a few months fixing things, keeping the community buzzing and pulling in more could be customers.

Darkspire

[WoodMan]

I'm sure it will be fixed of course. Wasn't this introduced recently? I'm sure he will fix it. Don't worry. I personally have not come across a dev/publisher that listens more to the fans than Matrix and Codeforce but they do get quiet at approach to release of a new expansion. Eliott personally answers questions in the tech forum when they have no upcoming release planned.

I'm trying hard to think of a game where I've been more impressed with post-release support, but I really can't. A quick browse of my nearest shelf (most recently installed games) - Skyrim, Battleifield 3, Dragon Age, Call of Duty 2, Sim City 4, SINS, Ice wind Dale collectors Set, Star Craft 2, Empire Total War, Supreme Commander... Nope, nothing on that shelf that had better support anyway.

Edit: In fact, Distant Worlds is the only game where I have reported a problem and it has actually been fixed... ever. Also, the only game where I have ever suggested new features and they have actually made it into the game. [:D]

[ravincravin]

Hey guys, the thread was intended as a joke to perk up the forum. Nothing like the subject of money to get the creative juices flowing.

I've supported Code Force from day 1 and will continue by buying "Shadow" once released. There's always money budgeted for beer and a sinking fund for the purchase of computer games to keep this ol' sarge going.

[Nedrear]

Nothing against ol' sarges, and a collectors edition every two expansions seems rather only appropiate, but I will stop my support once the quality goes down the drain for mass accomodations. The only thing that can varant these sale options is the quality of the 4X parts and the permanent reinvention of it. Maybe sometime in the future - two expansions form now - we might even get a graphic update. Since many of the included features, unless accepted by nearly everyone, got a scaling option in the config file or directly ingame, I got no problems with anything in the feature list either. I for one like the border system, but not the immense scale, as it should protect your star system and a little around, but not nearly whole sectors. Others might love these huge "mine" bubbles. Borders as such are smart though.

Again a Collectors Edition would sell the game all year to more people. The release sale of a new expansion with it at 100% and the previous parts with a rough 20-25% off is still an attractive offer and lures customers then, if limited alas.

[WiZz]

ORIGINAL: WoodMan
I'm sure it will be fixed of course. Wasn't this introduced recently? I'm sure he will fix it. Don't worry.

Actually, this is a critical bug, that makes game unplayable. And it still present...

[Shark7]

Hmm, given the quality of the expansions and the continuing free support Elliotg is already giving us, I have no problem paying for the new expansion. I've more than gotten my money's worth from each expansion.

[Beautancus]

As an absolute first-time, nearly brand new poster/player, I can say that the price was an issue (as it is with most, and as it is with most folks regarding most things nowadays)...but I really have been nothing but pleased with the features of the whole shabang, not to mention the options available here via the modding community. I've not had an "issue" yet, and hopefully won't, but I certainly have a much higher level of confidence that it can and likely will be resolved in a speedy enough manner to suit me and my altogether too hectic-Teacher's schedule.

Either way, I suppose this'll mean I need to pick out an avatar now or something...

[Haree78]

It's like Cyanide's Blood Bowl, each iteration may not be a revelation but I have had so much enjoyment out of each version I can easily justify the cost.

This expansion has been a long time coming though, hope that is a good thing