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Results: Where did you hear about GalCiv II from?

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Results: Where did you hear about GalCiv II from?

from GalCiv2 Forums

In our recent poll asking users of GalCiv2.com where they first heard of the game, we got around 1,400 respondents. 

Bear in mind, these results only tell us where people who happen to visit this website heard about the game. I was surprised how poorly the print game magazines came out.  All of them combined came out to only 6%.

The big surprise was Penny-Arcade. 11% of users who responded came from Penny-Arcade. This matches up with some of the referral statistics we've seen.  And I for one look forward to working in Tycho and Gabe's underground sugar mines.

Another interesting result was Gamespot which had 21%. Gamespot has some web design features that I think really do help. For instance, it has top 10 most popular games based on user interest on Gamespot overall and then on a per section basis right down to sub-sections. So a user can go to turn-based strategy games and sort by popularity. 

Interestingly, the demo version only brought in 1% of respondents.

The biggest chunk came from Stardock's existing communities -- 26%. We'd be interested in hearing those who answered "Stardock (Other)" to let us know how they found out about the game.  Even users who had Galactic Civilizations I would still have to find out from somewhere. ;)

Word of mouth was an impressive 7%.  That's a big chunk considering that we're talking about an on-line poll. People recommending the game is definitely key to the game's success.

Our second poll is going to ask that question outright: Would you recommend Galactic Civilizations II to others? The ultimate "has the game met your expectations" poll so to speak.

38,045 views 75 replies
Reply #51 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First about "Stardock (other)" - I think this is the path many of us here followed - failed MoO3 -> GalCiv1 -> waiting GalCiv2
However do not made a mistake - most of the people who answered are NOT most GalCiv2 users , thats the most of people that "hang around" here.

About demo - its quete clear, most people do not like to d/l SDC first , only people that alrready had it. Also , unlike GalCiv1 , the GalCiv2 was not a "new game" but "awaited game" this kind of shifts focus from demo.
Reply #52 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
GC1 from a MoO-vs-Civ flame war in a Civ III forum (before MoO3 was released), GC2 from the GC1 forums back when you first started talking about it there.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #53 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I initial heard about the game from GameSpot when they sent out the fact the demo was available. Which I then read up on the game, downloaded the demo, and then purchased the game. So while I answered GameSpot but I'm wondering how many were in the same boat as me so just because the demo got a 1% it may not actually be the case.
Reply #54 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Without reading any of the above, so i can get my thoughts down first and foremost.

The figures regarding Gamespot arent especially suprising, its a huge gaming website, with a massive user bse that regularily check for new games, downloads and feature articles. Encompassing almost every aspect of gaming, from news and reviews to its highly active and (often rather immature) forums. So i dont feel that 21% is a suprising feagure, perhaps it was expected to recieve a higher share. I dont know, what i did expect was that it was going to take a significant percentage. Apparently so did Stardock devoting a category to Gamespot in apprehension of its significance. And a good review at Gamespot (and to a lesser extent positive opinions of the game on the forums) would be and was critical in promoting GCII, leading to increased sales. Additionally becuase the demo was released exclusively on Gamespot before other gaming websites the demo and gamespot categories overlap somewhat. Further regarding the demo's almost insignificant contribution, it wasnt released all that long before this poll was undertaken, perhaps given more time the demo will pay dividends.

Im assuming theres a difference between "Other games web" and "Other games sites" accounting for 9 and 8% but becuase of the wording i assume they both mean gaming websites, sites that are orientated to reporting gaming news, reviews, downloads etc. So im a little confused about those two catagories meanng the same thing.

Regarding the "Stardock other" category i think its a good example of a company capitalising on an existing popular product to help sell a new product. Wincustomize.com has a hude user base and it would have been silly to say the least not to use it to their advantage. Especially when it probably caters for the target audience of the product.

Going on to do a bit more of stating the obvious, good reviews sell games, positive comments on forums sell games, it pays to advertise on major gaming websites like Gamespot, it pays to talk about your games on gaming websites and generate inerest in the product. To provide prominent gaming websites with interviews, factual information, features about the game.

However all of the advertsing in the world can only do so much when its promoting a game that doesnt stand out from competing games, that doesnt have any unique features, that isnt eye catching or interesting to the end user.

I think the next hurdle the Galactic Civiliations franchise will have to overcome is to get comsumers to buy it on reputation alone, because it is Galactic Civilizations and nothing more. To become synonamous with the definition of an excellent strategy game, a must have game. And i think its well on the way with people making comparisons between CIV IV and GCII. Every Brand is a product but not every product is a brand, thats what i think Stardock have to do is create a brand name. The Stardock label will be forever affiliated with existing discources and meanings all ready based in the real world. But how do you go about creating a brand? Through advertising of course.


Reply #55 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Had a dream about GC2 and some big ol' boobies (I wont go into the details). Went out the next day and bought GC2. Still in the market for some big ol' boobies though....
Reply #56 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I learnt about the game from a comment on this site http://www.cliffski.blogspot.com/

When a independant Games designer whose games I enjoy recomends a game I thought I should look into it & I am glad that I did. I also read the customer reviews at Gamespot & Amazon & ordered the game the next day.
Reply #57 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I voted Stardock(other). I got an email 31 March 2005 inviting me to purchase the Beta. I liked GC1 and the fact that there was no copy protection that I followed the link and purchased it. I practically forgot about the game until I received it in the mail at work one day. Needless to say that it was a long day even though I left early!

Great game Brad and all Stardock folks!

Original Email:
You are receiving this email because you purchased the strategy game, Galactic Civilizations.

Galactic Civilizations II has just gone into beta. Users who pre-order Galactic Civilizations II gain access to the beta.

Galactic Civilizations II is a major re-design of the award-winning strategy game:

* 3D engine
* Play as any civilization
* Ship Design
* Unique Planets
* and much more!

The final game is not expected to be released for nearly a year. The beta program is designed to allow people to provide input and suggestions on how they want the final game to be like.

Visit:
https://www.galciv2.com/purchase.aspx?game=galciv2

To pre-order Galactic Civilizations II and get access to the beta.


--
Galactic Civilizations II
Developed by Stardock Entertainment
17292 Farmington Rd.
Livonia MI 48152

(c) 2005 Stardock Entertainment. Galactic Civilizations is a trademark of Stardock Entertainment.
Reply #58 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Believe it or not, my first experience with GalCiv was a *pirated* version of the old OS/2 GalCiv I. I got it from a friend who said that I had to play this, and I wouldn't put it down once I did. He was right. I liked it so much that I immediately went out and BOUGHT the game. I figured that these guys deserved my money for the quality game they put out on a shoestring budget.

Bill
Reply #60 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I was an 'other'
I think I followed a Link from CGtalk to an article about copy protection and from there to Stardock and this site. Bit of a scenic route but well worth the extra miles
Reply #61 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I played GC1 after reading the review on gamespot. MOO3 stunk according to the reviews. I liked the game and would visit the forums to get tips, so your forums is were I learned of GC2.
Reply #62 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First I am very much looking forward to playing though I haven't yet purchased it. However there were a some things missing in the first game that have not been addressed, and some that have (for those Thank you).

Years ago there was a game called Stars! that had some features you might consider. One was RADICALLY different races so that you were not always competing for the same planets i.e. a race who prefferred a clas 2 thru 7 rather than 15+. Also they had different racial specialities. Second, Stargates (and other orbital units) and the ability to design not just ships but starbases as well. The third thing is something I have never seen in a strategy space game and I can't figure out why. That is a 3 dimension universe. You could list each stars coordinates when it was highlighted with the cursor. And as you zoom in the close stars would get larger first and even leave the field as you zoomed past to still father ones. But this would add a realism NEVER before seen in a strategy space game.
Reply #63 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Definitely a PA guy here. When Tycho endorses a game by saying it's got too many details for his obsessive brain to handle, my obsessive brain wants a piece of that! Interestingly, being linked by Penny Arcade (being 'wanged') is usually a serious problem for anything but MAJOR websites - links from PA rarely work for a while after they're posted due to the massive amounts of traffic. Now THAT's a big freakin demographic!
Reply #64 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I suspect word of mouth would be much higher if GalCiv2 weren't played exclusively by friendless shut-ins living in their parents' basement. (J/K)
Reply #65 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I had probably HEARD about it elsewhere, but PA is where it really crystalized. I would, in all honesty, have to say PA/Evil Avatar/Blues News and Slashdot. I "cared" and noticed the game, when Starforce was screwing with Stardock. That got my interest. I then looked at reviews on Gamespy and IGN, and then bought the game. From there, I told a good friend of mine to check it out. (the day the demo came out). The next morning he was pissed at me, since the demo kept him up, WAY too late. He bought the game, that day. Another good friend also bought the game.
Reply #66 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I voted Other...
I was walking through our new WalMart Supercenter wit the kids, checking out the surprisingly decent PC gaming section (compared to EB which has always been a staple back to my C64 days but has now degraded into a more console-oriented store... and especially when compared to other big-box retail stores like Target) when I stumbled onto the box. I was actually checking to see if they had the new Star Wars game (they did) and ended up looking over the GalCiv2 box thinking "this looks nice..."
So I went home, did a little research... and drove over to Best Buy to pick up the game.
It's not that I don't like WalMart. I actually have a much better opinion of their stores now since that initial Supercenter visit - unless you are talking meat. I made the (seemingly obvious) mistake of buying a steak there the other day. Grey Rubber when cooked... honestly made me think about how the airport food must have tasted to the surviving passengers in "The Langoliers". If you are ever walking around that store buying various household items and start to get the craving for a juicy steak.... leave your cart immediately and head over to someplace like Kroger, Biggs or Costco... better yet hit a Red Star Tavern. Best steak I've had in a long time (medium-rare) and the Fireball martini's are amazing!
Truth of the matter is: I had a gift card in my wallet for Best Buy. A few actually. And I am all about the best price. WalMart just could not beat 'Free' in my book... that and the fact that WalMart only had the collectors edition. I never see paying extra for... well... extra. In a game I mean. Especially when I am getting the whole game in the regular edition anyhow and money IS a big factor for me... free and all.
I have yet to receive (or give!) a WalMart gift card for any occasion although I think that could change if they continue to improve their stores like they have. Odd.
Reply #67 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've got to admit. Living across the street from two Stardock employees had a little influence on my purchase of the game.
Reply #68 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'll be perfectly honest how I heard about GalCiv 2.

It all starts with piracy. Huh, what?

Well, a while back I was itching for a good 4x space game and was searching for some new games. I hit the underdogs (abandonware web page) to see what they recommended if you liked Moo2 and galciv was mentioned. I searched around and found an illegal download.

Later that night I bought my copy through stardock's web site.

I heard about GC2 from the CG1 web page.
Reply #70 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I got an e-mail from gamespot about the demo and downloaded it and picked the full game up from best buy yesterday (needless to say i love the game so far ) sorry bout double posting, intenet is bein retarded
Reply #71 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First heard of GCII in the news section on the GCI forums


Returning GCI player...
Reply #72 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am a bit too late to vote, but nevertheless. I was playing GalCiv1 and impatiently watching the progress of GlaCiv2. Then it was launched and shame on me, I missed it until last week.
Then I tried out the Demo and now all of my free time belongs to you
Reply #73 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I first heard about GalCiv from you, Brad, on comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic (IIRC). It was all those dumb flame wars from some guy who insisted that the AI sucked.

I heard about GalCiv 2 because I kept up with Stardock news even after I stopped playing GC regularly.
Reply #74 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i got the galciv2 reccomendation from an online friend that i used to play other games with (hehe maverickx) but it was the DEMO that sold me on it yes the DEMO hear that ?i waited to buy it only after i had a chance to play the demo it kinda hooked me
Reply #75 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I saw an ad on wincustomize for it one day. It looked pretty cool so i downloaded the demo, and its nice I just bought the game over SDC, its downloading now.