Pre-Order FAQ

All your questions answered on ordering and downloading Sins

from Sins Forums

From time-to-time questions pop-up about how people can participate in the pre-order process. Hopefully this FAQ will answer many of those questions.

  •  How can I pre-order the game?

You can pre-order the game through TotalGaming.net by clicking on the Store link above.

  • What are the system requirements for the game?

The minimum system requirements are:

- Windows XP SP2 / Vista
- 1.8 GHz Single-Core Processor
- 512 MB RAM (1 GB RAM for Vista)
- 128 MB 3D DirectX 9 Video Card (Radeon 9600 / GeForce FX 6600 and above)
- DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
- DVD-ROM Drive (for retail copies)
- 3 GB Hard Drive Space
- Keyboard and Mouse
- DirectX 9.0c

The recommended system requirements are:

- 2.2 GHz Dual- or Quad-Core Processor
- 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Windows Vista)
- 256 MB DirectX 9 3D Video Card (Radeon X1600 / GeForce 7600 and above)

  • What do all of these purchase options mean?

Digital Download Only means that you will only receive the final release as a download through Stardock Central. 

Digital Download + Collector's will give you immediate access to the final game as a digital download, plus we will ship you a retail boxed copy as well (there's an additional shipping & handling fee with this option).

  • What does the retail box include?

The standard retail box includes the game on DVD and a print manual.

If you order the game direct from Stardock you will receive the Collector's Edition. This special version includes the following bonus items: a foldout tech-tree poster, artwork posters, a hotkey card, and a music CD.

  • What gives?  My credit card says you charged me already?

Some banks put a temporary hold on credit cards for pre-orders to ensure there's enough credit available in the account. These are typically released in 24-48 hours.  Pre-orders are not charged until a major beta version is released (i.e, beta 2, beta 3, etc.).

  • Why can't I pre-order using PayPal?

Our store doesn't support PayPal charging orders on future dates. For this reason we're not able to accept PayPal for pre-orders. 

  • I got a pre-order receipt in email, why can't I download the beta?

This is simply a reference number for your pre-order. You will only get a valid serial number and download information once we release the game and your credit card is charged.

  • If I buy the game using TotalGaming.net tokens, can I get access to the beta even though it may be closed?

Yes, since tokens are deducted immediately, TotalGaming.net members always gain instant access to betas.

  • How much is shipping & handling for boxed copies?  How are items shipped?

Shipping & handling currently costs $10 USD in the U.S. and $20 USD to anywhere else in the world.  Shipping is handled via the U.S. Postal Service. This is due to the weight of the special Collector's Edition box (it's packed with hefty goodness).

  • Do I have to use Stardock Central to download the game?

Yes, we do not provide game downloads as standalone downloads. You do not need to run Stardock Central to play the game, however.

  • How can I cancel or change my pre-order?

If you need to make a change to your pre-order, please email sales(at)stardock(dot)com with your request. Please allow up to two business days for a reply.

  • Is there a monthly fee for multiplayer?

There is no monthly fee to play Sins, either online or off.

223,972 views 241 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
When/can/should one expect the next major phase to occur?

Additionally, are there minor phases in between betas, such as patches that include technical updates and/or gameplay tweaks?
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
I can answer your questions!

Beta 3 will occur at the end of Summer! And between now and then expect patches! For beta 1 there were I believe 4 total patches/gameplay tweaks, so I am expecting 3-4 this time around also...
Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Yup, pretty much as lordkosc said.   Beta 3 will be at the end of the summer and will be the technical test for multiplayer.  I expect there will be at least several Beta 2 updates during testing.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
  the sour vinegar just got sweeeeeeeeeeeeeter!

beta2 will be a time for the marauders but beta3 will be a time for the humanoids.

what ever we learn on beta2 will determined the outcome for beta3. what i was saying is that if you don't learn anything on beta2 then beta3 will make up for the gap. since you're able to record games, learn from the best if you lose take it and learn it don't hate it and make more mistakes from it and thats the beuty of recorded games.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

If I preorder now, can I still get in Beta2 ???


yep
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
stardock central download it . So beta 3 should be out arround september august time?
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
when dose the hot fix come out? what will the game appear as on my cred card i want to look at it i preordered it download only not tokens but of the website Store.Stardock
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
I think it'll show up as Stardock Systems, Inc., but you'd have to email [email protected] to be sure.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
kk thx mate
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Not sure this is the best place for this question, but it is the best place i have foulnd yet.. On the websight under features it says "Can support thousands of planets and solar systems, the only limitation is the player's system."... then under Gameplay it says "A game of Sins of a Solar Empire can range from 30 to 100 planets in size, spread out among up to four different solar systems." Which is it??
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
We've not set a firm number for what the game will allow you to do in its setup screens. But, with some minor modding, you can play with thousands of planets and solar systems - the limiter being your PC.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
GREAT!!! Thanks for the answer, i will be preordering the game strait away!
P.S. I love modding, so no problem there!
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
GREAT!!! Thanks for the answer, i will be preordering the game strait away!
P.S. I love modding, so no problem there!


The only problem with thousands of planets is, it takes foreever. Really, foooreeeeeveeeeeeer.

Tried a Game with 200 Planets lately... it just isn't... fun... maybe as a screen saver?

Btw. modding, basic modding is quite easy in the game at the current state, so yea, it's quite fun to mod some crazy unbalanced stuff for my own pleasure.
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
yea i made the kol auto guns fire with out a reload time it looked cool and it simply mowed everything down lol but i change it back cos 1 kol could take out like 50 light frigs by it self which is funny.
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
My usual pleasure is not finishing a game... I like to start HUGE EPIC games and play for a coupple of weeks and then start a new game when i have a new modding idea.... I tend never to finish them... Oh well.
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
Hi,

my question is: will this game be available in languages other than english? I'm particulary interested in a german version.
If yes, how is this handled if I preorder?
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
The version from Stardock will likely only be available in English. Other languages versions will be offered in their respective territories, but that will depend on the publisher in that area (we've made no announcements on it yet).
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top
Ok, thanks. I only want to buy the game directly from stardock because I had trouble with my local publisher of GalCiv. Maybe there will be some kind of language pack later.
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top
Since you aren't ready to announce hardware requirements as yet, what happens if I pre-order, download the beta, and find my system can't handle it?
Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
Use common sense...

If your PC is around 2Ghz, and you have 1GB of Ram and a Video card made in the last 3 years you should be fine...
Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top

Processor and RAM are fine. It's my Radeon 9550 (256 Mb) I'm concerned with.