Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2420

NEW POLL: December or January release?

Tell us what you'd prefer!

We are on track for a December release of the second expansion pack, Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor.

However, as we work on it, we realize that we have a historic opportunity to do the beta releases in such a way that we can reintroduce each major civilization with its new unique technology tree.

But as some have observed, the compressed beta schedule doesn't allow for us to really give each civilization that kind of reintroduction that they (and we) think they deserve. That each civilization now has unique ship parts, planetary improvements, and technologies which can significantly alter the game play means that having time to really enjoy the civilizations as they are released seems important.

On the other hand, many will want to have this expansion pack finished in time for Christmas.

So we put the question to you guys: Which would you prefer? An early December release date for Twilight of the Arnor or an early January release?

Advantages of coming out in December:

You get it sooner
It can be purchased as a Christmas gift for other people
Stardock gets prestige for releasing two good expansion packs in a single year

Advantages of coming out in January:

More time for the public beta of the expansion pack.
Brad (me) can spend more time enhancing the computer AI before release.
More time to get preview coverage.

So you tell us. We can go either way. There is a web poll on the left side of the main page of GalCiv2.com. Vote there and post here and we'll go with the majority.

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I dont see much a reason to release it sooner. I havent preordered TA and more time to get preview coverage would be welcome! Also i think introducing the civs in away that really lets them get tested out and lets each have the spotlight for a bit would be a very good idea and a fun one.

Dont get greedy people let it get tested more.

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Dont get greedy people let it get tested more.

Totally agree. I want this game just as much as the next person, but if it means more techs, buildings, and enhancements to an already promising game I'm for it.

Keep up the good work Stardock!

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I, too, have just voted for the later release. While I understand those who want to game as soon as possible, we have all learned that premature releases frustrate everyone involved! A December release might require "a", "b", "c", etc. bug fixes. Then we will endure all the whiners claiming the game came out too soon. Let those who are working on the betas -- I'm watching without the time to test it myself -- have all the time and opportunity they need to do it right the first time!

Thanks for all you do -- Stardock, et al -- I'll wait 'till March if the product is everything we want it to be.

One-Eye

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Take your time, do it right.

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Count me in for January. I'd rather see reviewers amazed with everything there, leading to more sales, than have the finished game earlier. You'll miss the christmas sales, true, but may be better off in the long run.

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I vote for a later release too. That way the expansion pack can be tested more thoroughly and both sides - the gamers and the developers - can benefit from the longer test period.

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I vote for late release.

I'd be happy to wait until February- I have the betas and DA, after all. Making it better is definately a plus, I'd wait till next December if I had to!

Well, no, I wouldn't. But you get the idea.

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Adding to the list of people willing to wait for it. I am a QA analyst by trade so I know the value of getting it right/better over getting it sooner. You people do too great of a job to rush anything out anyway.

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Later release. Some folks could pre-order it if they wanted to give it as a christmas gift after all it requires GC2 and DA? (If it does then there would be every reason to assume that those who would get this would know to pre-order if it was meant as a christmas gift

it's as easy as printing out a sheet of paper with the serial #)

And as others have said, it's better you folks at Sd take yer time!

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The AI is the biggest most important part of the game. Lets get it right.

I'd say work on it until the week before christmas and release 25th Dec or at least give the beta testers terror stars for xmas

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Damn, sure it's better to test it more. But I was going to get my brother the complete Galciv 2 collection for christmas, now I will have to find something else to give him ^^

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Alstein

Join Date 07/2004

+55

One option you have is to release in December, but keep working on it until January- treat the Christmas Release as a beta.

I guess my preference would be in this case to work on it slowly to get it done right, but I don't care if you release it early, just as long as the work gets done. Besides, most of the ones purchasing it probably already paid for it. If they haven't, they should. I can tell it's going to be a lot better product then DA, which I was slightly disappointed in.

If people really want it over Christmas, let them buy in the beta until then?

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I have read enough gaming magazines to know that waiting is a good idea. Too many games are rushed to be out before Christmas and the ratings go down because the software is downright buggy. Stardock has a good thing going here. If you really need the game before Christmas, do a Pre-Order. I believe it will keep the gamer satisfied long enough for before the final comes out. It may have a few bugs but that is why it is labeled as a beta. For those people that don't want to pre-order, Dark Avatar is still a great game. I still see frequent updates in SDC that change the gameplay all the time. Either way, I don't see anything wrong if we all wait a little longer.

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The more you will work on it, the better it will be. but, PLEASE!!! release the cool features (terror stars, editors) as soon as possible.

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I've preordered TA, and I would be perfectly happy with the 'slow' schedule. The new tech-trees and other innovations are enough to keep up with. Introducing them in such a manner would greatly benefit GC2 because of the additional testing. Maybe plan (yet) another beta in December, so we have something to play with over the holidays.

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Speaking as someone that pre-ordered the day TA became available, I say take your time.

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Later release sounds better get to check out the new tech-trees at a slower pace

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i'm for a later release .I believe it will benifit everyone more including the developers.

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Now would be good!

....but since that isn't an option I would prefer it sooner in December.

One other advantage to releasing it later is that you might get better reviews since it would be of better quality.

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Part of me really wants to scream "Release it NOW!" But it probably would be better to wait until January. Just don't take all that extra time and then disapoint us by releasing it with a lot of bugs and broken content

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Take your time and get it right

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I feel a later release would be wiser to have more time to balance and improve the AI with all the new stuff.

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Definetly January. DA had a taste of too early release in my mind. Get it as bug free as possible and release it then!

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Voted for January.
As Always - Its done when its done, even if that means APRIL you guys still have my support. I have a LOT of respect for stardock and i know you guys will Keep working until you have an A+ Class game, and NOT rush something. From what i see from you guys, you'd never forgive yourself if you rushed this for Christmas - and i hope this is just rubber stamping the delay, really. You've talked about how some of the early technology descriptions were rushed/too humourous/lacking in real information.
So, Give yourself the time, And make this a game that both the reviewers, and your customers can be proud of!

Don't see any reason to vote for a christmas release, really - If you want to play the new expansion, You can download the beta today by pre-ordering. (I know i have)

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I strongly urge a late release if it means more content. If it simply means dragging out the beta to give more time to play each race, then let's get it out sooner.

The only real issue here is that SD could make a lot more money if it's ready before xmas. Many crappy games have been pushed out way too early to get that boost in sales, and even a buggy TA would be a better gift than most games. I'd prefer a better and more stable game, but I don't want SD to lose out on sales because of it.

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