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Wired: Sins ‘Micro-Expansions’ Explained

October 21, 2008 2:49:30 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Wired sits down with Craig and Blair Fraser, founders of IronClad Games, where they give a preview of the upcoming “micro-expansions” for Sins of a Solar Empire.  They cover a range of topics, and is a great in-depth interview.

A quick excerpt:

“This notion of “respect” has been a critical component in Stardock's success. From the lack of bundled copy protection to the Gamer's Bill of Rights, the publisher has sought to minimize the impact software pirates can have on sales by creating games that are readily available for direct download, and providing an experience that is aggressively updated with regular new content.  Releasing Entrenchment as a micro-expansion is intrinsic to that approach.”

Read the full interview at Wired.com.

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Island Dog
Inteuniso
Join Date 11/2006
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Reply #1 October 22, 2008 5:28:07 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Can't wait for entrenchment! I hope it adds to defending. I want to be able to defend well.

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Island Dog
Kyrein
Join Date 06/2008
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Reply #2 October 22, 2008 7:26:16 AM
from Demigod ForumsDemigod Forums

That's the whole point of starbases, Masterkicknobutt.

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Island Dog
Kaloonzu
Join Date 06/2008
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Reply #3 October 22, 2008 5:39:59 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I dunno...10 bucks...almost sounds too good to be true...and where are the rendering improvements that they promised nearly three months ago? I'm all for that stuff they mentioned (Starbases FTW), but I want them to make good on their original promises too.

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Island Dog
Annatar11
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Reply #4 October 22, 2008 6:00:37 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

What rendering improvements are you talking about, exactly? The upcoming 1.1 patch contains engine optimizations that's probably what you're talking about.

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Island Dog
GCFL
Join Date 02/2006
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Reply #5 October 22, 2008 7:42:02 PM
from Demigod ForumsDemigod Forums

I am not sure how I feel about this.  I think it is a great idea in the sense that it does provide a quick turn around for new content BUT at $10 a pop it does seem rather high when you take all three expensions into consideration.  It will all depend on the perceived value of the enhancements I suppose so I am sure to purchase at least one expansion.  Which brings me to a question...what if I purchase one expansion and not the other two. Do you have to have the first expansion for the 2nd to work and so on? 

One final thought...I see Spore will be offering an expansion for $19.  From what I can tell it only includes new scary creature parts...less cartoony.  If I remember correctly, the game art was originally more realistic and scary to begin with until EA changed the artistic style.  Seems to me they now want to charge gamers more for what was originally designed into the game in the first place.  Now that seems like milking the customer no matter how you look at it.  But again, it is the perceived value of the enhancement that determines it's success I guess.

 

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Island Dog
Thrawn2787
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Reply #6 October 22, 2008 8:03:09 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Spore will be offering an expansion for $19.

 

*COUGH* SIMS AND SIMS 2 HAVE LIKE OVER 9000 EXPANSIONS *COUGH COUGH HACK HACK*

 

Which brings me to a question...what if I purchase one expansion and not the other two. Do you have to have the first expansion for the 2nd to work and so on?

Don't think so, but I know they are not standalones (meaning you need the original game). And after all three are released via Impulse, they will be released at retail for $30 (together in one pack). But ( for example) if you, let's say, have the 1st and 2nd expansions, but your friend only has the 2nd, then you two will not use the 1st's content online (just the 2nd's and the original content).

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Island Dog
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Reply #7 October 22, 2008 8:05:06 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

1) Have you ever bought an expansion to a game before? 90% of the time they cost $30 or more. Get over the price.

 

 2) Ironclad only has 1 game out. This one. They need money.

 

3) Be glad you haven't been charged for all of the patches.*

 

 

*Note: These were ctually game-changing updates (not just bug fixes). All 5 of them (soon to be 6).

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Reply #8 October 22, 2008 8:56:16 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Which brings me to a question...what if I purchase one expansion and not the other two. Do you have to have the first expansion for the 2nd to work and so on?

No, they're designing them so people can pick and choose which to get. Having one depend on another would sort of defeat the point of that

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Reply #9 October 22, 2008 10:55:11 PM
from Demigod ForumsDemigod Forums

1) Have you ever bought an expansion to a game before? 90% of the time they cost $30 or more. Get over the price.

Yes I have.  If you read the post I was not making a BIG issue over the cost and stated that it really is based on one's perceived value.  Money is not the issue but value is!  As stated I plan on purchasing the expansion(s).

I don't think I mentioned the updates.  I am a fan of Ironclads.  I'm sorry, did I indicate otherwise?

 

No, they're designing them so people can pick and choose which to get. Having one depend on another would sort of defeat the point of that

Good point.  Makes sense but then again, other strange things have happened. 

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Iceciro
Join Date 03/2007
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Reply #10 October 23, 2008 4:28:32 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I wasn't sure I was going to be picking up this expansion, but the actions of certain companies have made my games budget very open and flexible suddenly

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Island Dog
Anubis208-RG
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Reply #11 October 26, 2008 4:43:42 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Half of your post was on money.  Oh, and btw, SoaSE was only $40 in the first place.

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lordkosc
Join Date 12/2006
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Reply #12 November 3, 2008 5:37:20 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I preordered the expansion yesterday with a leftover token from TGN , weeeee.........

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