Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar Availability

Direct vs. Retail

from GalCiv2 Forums

As some may know, the upcoming expansion pack, Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar is only going to be available via TotalGaming.net (i.e. on galciv2.com).


People will be able to purchase it and download it or purchase it and download it while waiting for the boxed unit to arrive.  But it won't be available at stores.


So the question is, how much will this affect sales? Some percentage of people won't buy on-line for various reasons.  Which means no one knows how well an on-line only release will do.  Let us know what you think and check out the poll.


As for last week's poll which asked how players like the new version of Galactic Civilizations II, 84% said they are happy with it. 9% Said they are happy with it but liked 1.2 better. 3% said they don't like it. 4% said they were having technical problems of some kind with it.

52,019 views 84 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to buy it until the other day when (correct me if I'm wrong) you let us know about the new super abilities, which seriously have me excited.

If I have to buy it online, I will. I prefer making purchases at a store, but I can live with purchasing online.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Another expansion for GalCiv I?! Colour me shocked

I honestly have no idea how it's going to turn out, but I hope you guys do really well. As much as I don't like digital-only stuff (Steam) it is much more convenient for all, so long as the authentication servers don't disappear. At least you guys will ship hardcopy too
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm not really big on buying things over the internet. I prefer walking into a store, looking around, not seeing what I'm looking for, returning again the nest week, finding the item, and paying cash for it.

Actually, when I put it that way, it doesn't seem as good anymore, but that's what I prefer  
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Really wish it were in store. Don't think I can get it now. Which really, really sucks.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Buying online is the best way to buy games, when done the Stardock-way. But only then. Those other crappy services (like Steam and all the rest with their "great" copy protection that prevent you from playing offline, or you can't ever get to work because they don't play with your firewall, etc) are the cause why digital only delivery has such a bad ring to it.

I have been buying Object Desktop, GalCiv1, GalCiv2 from Stardock: Easy, no hassle, does not treat me like a criminal and sees no need to protect my game from me.

So, all in all, I wouldn't even consider buying any software made available by TotalGaming.net in a store. Online only is the way to go.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ummm i would vote but the poll is not working for me

I have pre-ordered but also plan on purchasing a boxed copy to complete my collection (Will just be missing AP then) of GCI, II, and DA
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh and buying direct from Stardock via any means is fine by me
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am happy to buy direct from stardock and download. So long as its easy to do so and hassle free.

I assume it will be just like a patch, except far bigger, with perhaps another serial number?

One thing, when I pre-ordered, I didn't get an option to receive a boxed version. is it automatic u get sent one? Or did I miss something?
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First off, it seems to make sense to me that you aren't going retail with the expansion, I mean you already know contact info for every single legitimate license of GalCiv2 sold so its not like you will have a hard time reaching the owners of the game.

As far as how I feel about the online only distribution, I already pre-ordered, so that says it all. The option to have the CD mailed to me made that decision a lot easier as well, as I like having that physical archival copy.

The biggest bonus to me for GalCiv2 overall, I love not having to dig out my CD everytime I want to play the game. I really appreciate that!
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When I preordered there was a seperate button i think(been awhile now), cause it's like 5 bucks more for shipping. I do remember the option was clearly marked though.

P.S. Obviously as the original topic goes I have no problems with buying online with Stardock, since I have preordered. I wouldn't do it for some companies online though.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When you explain why Master U got his scores on metaverse cheat flagged, then maybe i'll be happy to buy the expansion.


also...

if the new abilities are balanced.... why bother?


players will just find out which albility is the most giving then all will play that race, forcing you to update, fixing it, and so on and so on....

Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't think I can get Dark Avatar now. I have no means of buying online. Bad move, Stardock.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

note: For anyone above that was confused, I changed the post title to GalCiv 'II', instead of 'I'...unless were making a secret expansion pack for GC1 that I dont know about

Carry on, friends, carry on.

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I wouldnt mind buying it throught the internet its a bit more convinient a bit less safe, but still to me its the same thing.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Honestly, I prefer direct download- no sales tax, no Gamestop scrubbiness to deal with...

Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I will buy it online and I don't have a problem with that. I plan to do the download plus shipped box option.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Somehow when I preordered, it charged me for two--54 bucks for both download and for download plus CD. All I want is the download only. What do I have to do?
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I’m a big fan of Stardock’s digital distribution system—-for reasons mentioned above, especially because I can get a hard copy for just a few dollars more. I hope more game companies follow suite . . . it means more creative control for you guys, and better games for us.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm old fashion ... I prefer buying in stores or buying it on-line
from places like EB or BestBuy .. You need to think about releasing
it like you did with GC2...

Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
how do I vote?
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm going to buy it, most likely pre-order it. What sealed the deal was the fact that I could get a CD, I'll probably just download it and not use the CD like I did with GC2 but I just like having a back up copy.

From the poll:
I don't know what GalCiv II: Dark Avatar is.


You guys aren't doing your job well enough, some people don't know what it is yet, or some one is just goofing off. I'm going with the second.


Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i prefer buying from stores having a box and receipt.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Often, I prefer to buy at a store, if possible (I like to support local business when I can), but I have no problem with buying online and/or digital distribution, if it's done well, and Stardock/Totalgaming.net does it well (I've bought digitally from several different sources, including Steam and Direct2Drive, and this has been the best system I've seen). If you want your box (and I did with GCII, though I pre-ordered DA download-only), you can get your box. If you want your receipt, you can print it out. There's no building to walk/drive to, but I don't consider that a deal-killer.