Everything You Want to Know About TotalGaming.Net Phase 2

A FAQ for Existing and Future TotalGaming Members

from JoeUser Forums

Stardock Entertainment has just relaunched its TotalGaming.net electronic distribution service with new features, games, a redesigned website and more. As part of the relaunch, we have transitioned all of our current TotalGaming.net subscribers to our new Token-based payment system in an unprecedented upgrade program. In the following article you'll find details on everything you need to know about the next evolution of the TotalGaming service.

What Will Current TotalGaming Subscribers Get Out of the Upgrade?

Any TotalGaming subscriber with an active account on June 10, 2005 will be automatically upgraded with the following benefits:

  • Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords Final & Beta 2 (a $44.95 value)*
  • Permanent access to all of the games released on TotalGaming prior to June 10th (over a DOZEN games!)
  • 10 Tokens to spend on the new games released onto TotalGaming (a $69.95 value)*
  • Future Beta access to our new MMORTS - Society *

How Much Will a New TotalGaming Membership Cost?

New customers can become TotalGaming.net members for just $69.95 which comes with 10 Tokens.

How Do the Tokens Work?

Each game available through TotalGaming.net costs a certain number of Tokens (for example, Galactic Civilizations II costs 5 tokens). Members can use their Tokens to purchase any of the games available through the network.

Why Use Tokens at All?

The new Token system gives us a far greater level of flexibility than what we used in the past, allowing us to sign on more games than before with a wider range of developers and publishers. In addition, the Token system gives customers a significant discount over the standalone price of the games available through the network.

And if you don't like tokens, no problem, all the games are available for purchase stand-alone.

What If I Use All of My Tokens?

We have two types of Booster Packs available:  5 Token Booster Packs are available for $34.95 and 10 Token Booster Packs are available for $65.

What If I Don't Use My Tokens Before My Membership Expires?

TotalGaming memberships never expire for new customers (Subscribers from Phase 2 of TotalGaming.net or Drengin.net should see below). Tokens are yours to use whenever you like once you purchase them.

Do I Have to Be a TotalGaming.net Member to Buy Games From the Network?

No.  You can purchase games individually.  The reason for a TotalGaming.net membership is that if there are multiple games you want, then you would want to get a membership so you can get the games at a discount.

Can I Return a Game If I Don't Like It?

No, but nearly every game on the TotalGaming network has a demo version so that people can try before they buy; these are available for free download from the TotalGaming website. In addition, people can post on our Forums to see what others think about a particular title, read reviews from various gaming websites and more. This restriction does not apply for those who buy a game standalone.

What If I Can't Get a Game to Run?

If you have trouble getting a game to run, we'll work with you to resolve the problem. If we're unable to get the title to run on your PC, we'll escalate support to the developer of the program. If you still can't get the game to run after that, we'll refund your Tokens for that title.

What Happens to My Games If I Get a New PC or My Games Get Lost?

Once you purchase a game from TotalGaming, it's yours forever. You will be able to re-download the latest version of your games using our Stardock Central application at any point in the future.

Can I Backup My Games?

Absolutely. Stardock Central will allow you to archive the games you purchase through TotalGaming, which you may then copy to other media (i.e., CD, DVD, removable hard drive, etc.). You will need a copy of Stardock Central to reinstall your archives, however.

*  Limited time offer that expires September 30, 2005.  Users whose accounts would have expired by June 30, 2005 that have not logged in by September 30, 2005 are not eligible. Transitional tokens expire on December 31, 2006.

187,694 views 56 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The above article has lots of tags and other uninterpreted stuff when I view it here. Am I missing some piece of code on my copy of SDC???? I find it unreadable.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
OK... A few questions here:

1) How often will new games be added now?
2) Will most new games be 1-2 token indie games?
3) What will we do when we have 5 years remaining on our memberships and no tokens to spend?
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Don't know if I like this token system yet. Do spend them now on a game that's ok and risk the chance something more to my liking might come out later? TGN: it was good while it lasted.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Sorry guys, edit got messed up. It should be good now.

Vinco - New games should be added regularly. I'm hoping to add at least 2 a month during lean times. Most of the new titles will be Indie games, but we're working on more mainstream offerings too (they just take longer - lots of red tape). If you go through your Tokens, buy a booster (5 and 10 Token boosters are available).  

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Don't know if I like this token system yet. Do spend them now on a game that's ok and risk the chance something more to my liking might come out later? TGN: it was good while it lasted.

TGN is far better now than before. Odds are there wouldn't have been more than 1 or 2 new games a year added to TGN under the old system (it just wasn't a good deal for developers).  Plus now you have permanent access to games even if you let your membership expire, whereas before you didn't. I think most people would prefer having several dozen new games added a year with the security that they'll never lose them, than have only 1 or 2 new games. Even the membership price has gone down from before.

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I find it unreadable.


Fixed now. Thanks.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
By Yarlen: Vinco - If you go through your Tokens, buy a booster (5 and 10 Token boosters are available).


I think what Vinco is saying however is that when you purchase these boosters you get an additional year (or two) added to your membership at totalgaming.. Which creates the posibility that if you really like a whole bunch of games on the network, you might spend all your tokens and have another five years of membership left.. Purchasing another booster pack gives you some tokens to spend - but your membership is now ridiculously long, six years....

So...

How about the possibility of a Booster Pack that doesn't offer anything in the way of time as far as membership to totalgaming goes, but just gives extra tokens? - I'm guessing it wouldn't be MUCH cheaper, but time really becomes irrelevant in the main in that scenario, so offering more serves no purpose...
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's a pretty good idea 4D.  We'll have to think about that.
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
That's exactly what I was getting at, 4D. I can see myself getting boosters every few months if the game quality stays high. With the 2 years I have now, if I get a booster every 11 or fewer months, it would lead to a steady accumulation in membership time available.

One more thing: The new titles added aren't in the new releases section of the website yet.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

I see what you mean. As Draginol said, we'll have to give this one some thought...

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What if I have tokens left over at the end of my subscription and I extend my subscription? Do the unused tokens "roll over"?
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
I was wondering where can I go to check when my membership will expire. I remember that I had til jan06 with the previous version, but since it says I'm getting 2 more years, I just want to make sure of that.
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Your membership info will be added to the TotalGaming website in the near future, but in the interim, feel free to email me ([email protected]) and I can look it up for you. Just be sure to include the same email address you used for your subscription in your message so I can look you up.  

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

What if I have tokens left over at the end of my subscription and I extend my subscription? Do the unused tokens "roll over"?

If your membership expires and you have unused Tokens, they will be lost if you don't renew before 30 days from your membership end-date.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
But if you extend your subscriptions then yes, the tokens roll-over.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
well that is all fine and dandy...but I *really* hope you getting a little bit better quality games than the 5-6 or so that you just added. I don't see myself spending any of my 10 tokens on ANY of them....
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
well that is all fine and dandy...but I *really* hope you getting a little bit better quality games than the 5-6 or so that you just added. I don't see myself spending any of my 10 tokens on ANY of them....

Well, don't forget that Stardock produces games
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, don't forget that Stardock produces games


...and some damn good ones, one of which (Galciv 2) you already hav guaranteed access to without spending any tokens! (if you registered before Phase Two that is) and check out Society (Link) which I reckon is going to kick-ass and is a purely Stardock effort.

I applaud Stardocks efforts at supporting Indie developers with TGN. I remember how simple games were when I was growing up - and how fun they still were! I think some indie games manage to capture that essence well.

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

well that is all fine and dandy...but I *really* hope you getting a little bit better quality games than the 5-6 or so that you just added.

Actually, all of the new games are very high quality, they're just Indie releases (I think if you check out their demo versions, you'll find they're quite good. Jets'n'Guns is well worth 2 Tokens.). If you mean you'd like to see more retail games on TG, then yes, we're working on it.   Just takes a fair amount of time to work through the red tape that larger corporations seem to enjoy.

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
I have to agree with Yarlen here. Jets'n'Guns was my first purchase, and I can't seem to stop playing it. The graphics may look a bit dated, but the gameplay is very enjoyable.
Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
I've given the idea more thought...and I've changed my opinion from my previous post. The tokens are a good idea. I must agree with 4D about the "tokens only" option; I think it would keep things real. After all what if someone runs up a 20 year membership and Microsoft buys out Stardock next year!

One lingering question though. Will older games eventually be reduced in term of the number of tokens it costs? For example: I've seen GalCiv (1) (as great a game as it is) marked way down at some retail stores. Will it remain at the "new price" token cost at TG Net? Or will the possibility of new subscribers keep older titles artificially high? Just asking, because I occasionally pick up a title or two from the bargain bin. MOO3 comes to mind; I passed when it was $50 (and buggy) and grabbed it for $10.
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
We'll be adjusting our (Stardock) games' prices as time passes. After GalCiv II comes out, it's probably a safe bet that GalCiv I's price will go down.   On new titles, prices are determined by the developer/publisher in question, so while we may bring it up now and then, the final decision rests with them.
Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
Yeah Jets and guns is great, it sucks thou that I bought it last month from reflexive, are there any plans to ether have on SDN or on the site upcoming games that will be added on? I'm eyeing a few games on reflexive's site but I don't want to chance buying them there if you guys will get them here.
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
I like the new system, and there are a lot of games I am pondering now. In fact,
more games than I have tokens for

I got a link to GameTunnel from an aquaintance who also has interest in
indie games, and there are a lot of good games I'd like to see added to TGN:
I of the Enemy, Outpost Kaloki, Leylines, Anito..the list was longer, but I see the
rest in Stardock Central, so I'm happy