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Pre-Order FAQ

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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.

223,715 views 241 replies
Reply #76 from Sins Forums Top
But its too late to join beta 2 by pre-ordering. If you do, you will have to wait for beta 3.
But if you want to join beta 2, you have to buy it by tokens.


Hey, I thought the idea was to mouse-trap more people into buying! So if ya gonna warn him off, try mentioning that Beta 3 is supposed to start up pretty soon -- end of the month. Ish.
Reply #77 from Sins Forums Top
I would never "mouse-trap" anyone to buy it, even though i like sins very much. Ppl should buy it if they like it, not by tricky means.

Well since i posted, was if he thought that he could get in beta 2 that way now, he would be disappointed when he found out he couldnt. So making it clear that he can still join beta 2, but with tokens.

But yeah beta 3 is set to late august early september
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #78 from Sins Forums Top
I just was wondering, if for some reason I had to uninstall the beta (like that'll ever happen  ), can I download it again between beta tests? I only ask this because a friend of mine's computer went down and he had to completely reinstall everything. I've never had this happen to me, but in the event it does, I want to know I can get Sins back.
Reply #79 from Sins Forums Top
Yep, you can download it as many times as you like
Reply #80 from Sins Forums Top
whenever you like wherever you like XD
Reply #81 from Sins Forums Top
Yeah, the bar is only to get into the beta test -- once your "in", you can D/L to your hearts content. I'm not sure why they set it up that way, anyone know why the limits?
Reply #82 from Sins Forums Top
The problem I found was after entering all information, credit card and all that and then it went to the "Cart" screen where it shows my one copy of this game waiting to be bought, there is a order now button in green. I press that and the screen goes to "Processing Order" then it comes up with a ASP net error in ordering, and I am not sure if it is something on my side or on theirs but chances are it's something just generally screwy as I am set as a sysadmin for this laptop at least so I can change permissions and I made sure I have full permissions to ASP stuff on the computer. As far as not being able to join Beta 2 I know this but I have been waiting in the wings to get enough money so I could join up with Beta 3, this looks like just too good of a game not to get involved with and I think that most of you feel the same way. Thanks for the warning though!

Logan.
Reply #83 from Sins Forums Top
I would never "mouse-trap" anyone to buy it, even though i like sins very much. Ppl should buy it if they like it, not by tricky means.


BTW, I actually meant that as a joke -- it was a good idea to warn him about that I felt stupid for not having done so myself. Just like I'm feeling stupid for forgetting the emoticon smilies
Reply #84 from Sins Forums Top

Logan - please email [email protected] for help with this issue.

All - Stardock Central can already change the download/temp directory location for where it downloads .sdc files to for installs.   Just go to:

Tools -> Settings -> Advanced and change the location in the Downloads box.

Reply #85 from Sins Forums Top
The problem I found was after entering all information, credit card and all that and then it went to the "Cart" screen where it shows my one copy of this game waiting to be bought, there is a order now button in green. I press that and the screen goes to "Processing Order" then it comes up with a ASP net error in ordering,


I had a similar problem when I attempted to download the game to a second computer. I attempted to download a second time and a pop up screen appeared that asked for a number. This number was on my receipt which was generated when I purchased the game and had been saved on my original computer. I emailed it to the 2nd computer and entered it in the provided cell on the pop up screen.

Then it worked fine. Sorry I could not be more specific as this was a few weeks ago, I would recommend trying to down load it again and checking for the pop up screen, which was behind the error message screen.

Reply #86 from Sins Forums Top
Okay here is the error:

Using silent activation with null serial mode.

Application start: 2007-7-29 18.55.57

Silent mode

Mode 2

Submitting activation request...

Download: failed HttpSendRequest

Result parsing error (1)

Error activating the product

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

I followed the instructions by attempting to reactivate without downloading it again and I entered the serial number in the pop up window and it worked.

I hope this helps.

Reply #87 from Sins Forums Top
Go into Stardock Central and select Sins of a Solar Empire from the Games list. Right-click and select Activate w/logging. That should do it. If you still have trouble, please email [email protected] and include a description of the problem and your activate.log file (in the Stardock Central directory).
Reply #89 from Sins Forums Top
BIG question, I looked through the FAQ and the only reference to the tokens was to say that you would have immediate access to beta's. Ok, now I just read in 2 posts here in the forum that ONLY person's that purchased the pre-order via TotalGaming would have access to beta 3. Is this correct, others that do not purchase via TotalGaming will be excluded?
I am hoping someone got thier information screwed up, becauxe quite honestly, sinse I did not see that restriction in either the Sales email I got for the preorder, or in the preorder FAQ I would hope Stardock would have at least let us who forked over the 50 bucks know before I plunked down my coin.

I wait with anticipation

Glenn A Nicholson
Reply #90 from Sins Forums Top
The only difference between the pre-order and order by tokens, is that you can get into the beta with tokens, even if they closed for now submissions
Reply #91 from Sins Forums Top
Is this correct, others that do not purchase via TotalGaming will be excluded?


No, not sure how you got that.

Here's how it goes:

If you preorder "normally", you are granted beta access at the beginning of the next beta phase (if you missed the window of the last one, that is). So if you preorder now via normal purchase, you'll be granted access when beta 3 begins.

If you preorder with TGN tokens, you get access *immediately*, regardless where we are in the beta phases. So if you do that now, you get beta 2 and everything that follows.
Reply #92 from Sins Forums Top
Kyro, just out of curiosity, why is it set up that way? (Tokens instant Vs. "normal" delayed).
Reply #93 from Sins Forums Top
Preorders don't get charged until something's available to download, but tokens can only be deducted instantly. So we go ahead and give access since you're paying immediately.
Reply #94 from Sins Forums Top
Preorders don't get charged until something's available to download, but tokens can only be deducted instantly. So we go ahead and give access since you're paying immediately.


So I guess what I'm asking is why not just let people download with a normal preorder?
Reply #95 from Sins Forums Top
Limiting access somewhat is preferred as it helps keep everyone on the same page, and thus reduce redundant reports and suggestions (if people come in constantly there'll be a never-ending flow of 'new player' reports saying much the same thing). TGN is basically a loophole in that respect.
Reply #96 from Sins Forums Top
TGN is basically a loophole in that respect.


Loopholes suck!... but your reasoning makes sense
Reply #97 from Sins Forums Top
Is this correct, others that do not purchase via TotalGaming will be excluded?


No, not sure how you got that.

Here's how it goes:

If you preorder "normally", you are granted beta access at the beginning of the next beta phase (if you missed the window of the last one, that is). So if you preorder now via normal purchase, you'll be granted access when beta 3 begins.

If you preorder with TGN tokens, you get access *immediately*, regardless where we are in the beta phases. So if you do that now, you get beta 2 and everything that follows.


Thanks for the clarification on that, the way the 2 posts I read were worded, that is what is sounded like the person's were saying. Again thanks for the clarification :0)

GW
Reply #98 from Sins Forums Top
What is the size of the download. At my apartment there is a limit to how much we can download each day. O.o Thanks!
Reply #99 from Sins Forums Top
SDC lists the current build at 383MB.