Gold Edition in Europe

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I've been wanting to buy Galactic Civilizations II for quite some time now but had been waiting for the Dark Avatar expansion to come out first to buy the gold edition. However my problem is that I live in Malta (Europe) and can't seem to find the Gold Edition anywhere (including UK websites).

Is the Gold Edition ever coming out in Europe since it's very expensive for me to order the game from the US? I'm not considering the download option since i have quite a slow connection plus i like to have boxed versions of my games.

Thanks a lot
8,507 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
We are still working on getting it to retail in Europe, but it is taking longer than we'd hoped. 
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
any news?

Seconded. I know some people that would probably buy if only it'd be available in retail. Stubborn folks, they don't like credit cards and download versions!
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
any news?


Unfortunately not.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
No?

I know that GalCiv2 Gold is available in Germany: www.okaysoft.de both German and English versions. Only Dark Avatar itself (no gold) is not in stores.

No credit card required.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I know that GalCiv2 Gold is available in Germany: www.okaysoft.de both German and English versions. Only Dark Avatar itself (no gold) is not in stores.


The German gold edition you see on their site is GalCiv1 Gold, not GC2 Gold. GC2 Gold hasn't yet been translated and released in Europe officially, though I'm sure you can find the imported North America retail box in some places such as that site.

There won't ever be a standalone DA retail box, though. It'll only be available at retail in GC2 Gold.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Okay, so maybe not the German version. Still:

http://www.okaysoft.de/ok/komplett.asp?TX=PCDETAIL&INR=110728&OBAUF=AUF

GalCiv2 Gold, US import.
Although I doubt they will ship it to a country other than Germany. Maybe Austria if you're lucky.

Plus, it's 55 Euros plus 2.5 extra shipping due to legal restrictions (about 60 Euros all together, for comparison: about 75-80 USD). You're better off buying the regular (or collectors edition) GalCiv2 and then finding someone who buys Dark Avatar online in your place.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Remarkable business decision (not to make DA or GC Gold available in European stores), given that the European market is bigger than the North-American one. I agree that the American and European business cultures (among other things) are different, so you would have to use a different approach to be successful in Europe, but to stay away from this interesting market? - well, it's your decision.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Remarkable business decision (not to make DA or GC Gold available in European stores), given that the European market is bigger than the North-American one. I agree that the American and European business cultures (among other things) are different, so you would have to use a different approach to be successful in Europe, but to stay away from this interesting market?


We're not abandoning the European market. We are working on getting GC2 Gold there, it's just going much slower than we'd hoped.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'd guess it's more likely legal issues rather than a 'decision'. Plus, European market means a lot of localised versions (German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian only to name the major ones I would expect), unless you only sell an English one which would mean a lot less copies sold.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Remarkable business decision (not to make DA or GC Gold available in European stores), given that the European market is bigger than the North-American one. I agree that the American and European business cultures (among other things) are different, so you would have to use a different approach to be successful in Europe, but to stay away from this interesting market? - well, it's your decision.



Quit being bitter, and stupid. If you actually READ what Kryo said, you would know they plan on exporting it to Europe. Its just taking a little more time than expected.

"We are still working on getting it to retail in Europe, but it is taking longer than we'd hoped."


Guess you Europeans need to read better. -.-
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I created a german-mod for DarkAvatar.
I used the german descriptions from DreadLords and translated the new DarkAvatar contents. The mod is not really perfect, because i am not that kind of an english-german translator. But it works!!!
I dont know, if it is allowed to use the paradox contents for a mod.

Becks
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Geminisama: I'm not bitter - don't mistake me. Amused and somewhat cynical would describe it better. And you are right: Stardock haven't said no. Except to selling a European version of DA - not sure that that's a wise decision. Let's see what happens.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Except to selling a European version of DA


DA isn't at retail anywhere as a stand-alone product--it's not some anti-Europe tactic. As a small company it's just not feasible to try getting retail shelf space for two different boxes at once. So rather than replace GC2 with DA and leave out those who haven't gotten GC2 yet, we made the Gold package instead.

DA-alone for those who already have GC2 is available by direct order (by download or a disc in a sleeve shipped worldwide). I can't say for sure but I'd personally expect that once GC2 Gold finds its way through to Europe, then the localized data files will be available in that option as well (or via SDC).
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It's 3 months after we heard that it's going to take "a little longer" to get GC2 Gold to the European retail stores. 3 months is quite a long time in this fast-paced business, and long enough to ask will it ever come (or does it still make sense to release a European retail version at all, in business terms)?
Meanwhile the second GC2 add-on has been announced, which no doubt will also not appear in European retail stores, neither stand-alone nor in "platinum" (or whatever you call it version). Correct me if I'm wrong.

Looks like Stardock's and my business models are not compatible - a shame, for GC2 is a good game. We'll both survive it, I guess.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Guess you Europeans need to read better. -.-


WHO is it who needs to avoid "...bitter, and stupid." ?

drrider
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It's 3 months after we heard that it's going to take "a little longer" to get GC2 Gold to the European retail stores. 3 months is quite a long time in this fast-paced business, and long enough to ask will it ever come (or does it still make sense to release a European retail version at all, in business terms)?
Meanwhile the second GC2 add-on has been announced, which no doubt will also not appear in European retail stores, neither stand-alone nor in "platinum" (or whatever you call it version). Correct me if I'm wrong.

Looks like Stardock's and my business models are not compatible - a shame, for GC2 is a good game. We'll both survive it, I guess.


The only "add-ons" that have been announced since Dark Avatar are current PATCH v.1.61, and "near-future" (read: "in preparation, but we haven't reached 1st beta yet") PATCH v.1.7.

Now, in keeping with Stardock usual policies, the patches are about 10-15% fixes, 85-90% NEW content (no exaggeration), but part of Stardock's business model is that the PATCHES are NEVER available in retail, US, European, you name it. They are ONLY available as free downloads from Stardock, via the Stardock Central online service, for registered users. Its part of their alternative anti-piracy strategy, since they do not use disk-in, one-loaded-copy-only DRM.

There has been MENTION of a possible 2nd expansion down the road by Brad Wardell, in a fan site interview, but it is very unclear if that was a reference to a planned GC2 expansion, or a harking back to one of the GC1 expansions, since the title mentioned was exactly the same as one of the previos game's expansions. The context of the interview did not make it clear, and so far Frogboy/Draginol has not elucidated with direct commentary.

drrider
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I wasn't talking about patches, just about releasing GC2 Gold in Europe (retail). 3 months ago it was said that it would happen, but not right now. No update since then (to my knowledge). I think it's legitimate to ask for an update and to voice concerns whether or not it would happen at all.

Regarding the second add-on, let me quote from the August 2007 newsletter I received from Stardock by e-mail today:

"Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor. New expansion pack coming out this November. Details will be up on Gamespot next week. Keep an eye on galciv2.com for updates. It will require Dark Avatar (or Gold Edition) to use."

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sorry, but as was noted in a similar thread a while back, GC2 Gold in Europe was put on indefinite hold due to some issues that arose in the process.

At this point I know next to nothing about the second expansion or if we're planning to try again with Europe once that's out, but I'll see if I can find anything out that I can share with you guys.