GalCiv2: DL+DA+TotA retail in UK?

Well, since there is currently no announcement concerning a retail availability of TotA in USA, I don't think a such deal will be available in UK soon.

Good luck, then, Stardock, I hope your products sell well enough over the internet that you don't need us oldfashioned or technologically handicapped retail buyers!
I'll be happy to give my money (well, some of it at least) to companies who show more interest in doing business with me.

As I noted in the comment quoted above, it's not for lack of desire on our part. Granted the distinction is probably pointless to you, given the result is the same--you can't get the game--but we would like to get it to you. Hopefully the situation will become favorable to doing that in the future, but nothing can be promised.   

I think the translation here is that there was not enough demand for the game itself (which is unfortunate) for most stores to be willing to sell the new bundle. I think that in terms of overall PC gaming, the market for TBS games is pretty small, and the market for any TBS games other than the definitive big-name TBS series - Civilization - is smaller still.

Maybe Stardock should just put out a bunch of first-person shooters. God only knows that there aren't enough of them. One set in World War II would be especially cool. I'm surprised nobody has done that yet.

Direct internet sales are in many cases the only way an independent developer can afford to distribute. If you're only willing to buy at brick and mortar stores, you're only going to be able to buy products that are big enough to be able to afford shelf space in your particular neck of the woods. That's going to leave you, as the poster above implies, with a VERY limited TBS selection, but there's nothing to be done about it. Acting as though you're being mistreated because a developer isn't willing to lose money selling the only way you'll buy is just silly.

Points taken. To sell through internet-based channels only may indeed be the only way for smaller companies not to lose money. I myself am an IT professional - and I don't trust the internet when it comes to money. And I've seen too many companies come and go to trust them to be around in a couple of years when I get the idea to play a game again and would need their help to re-install it (because I had thrown it off my hard disk or purchased a new PC).

What I find more difficult to understand is the distinction between the U.S. and Europe, and the reluctance of many American companies to sell in Europe. Europe is such a big market, bigger than the U.S., that it should be worth not to be neglected. I have worked for an American company which hasn't managed to make money in most European countries (while the European competitors have grown fast) and eventually sold off most of their European offices to said competitors (who turned them into successful businesses again), and I can tell you one of the main reasons: it was the "one size fits all", U.S. centric business approach - what works in the U.S. must work in Europe, too, against the counsel of the Europeans in the management teams. If you would be trying to do the same, you would fail, too.

Of course, I can't (and don't want to) tell Stardock how to do business, and if they have come to the conclusion that a European retail version of GC Gold or TA won't make money, then they are absolutely right not to do it. On the other hand, it is my right as a potential customer, who likes the GC series, to regret this decision, to say I'm sad about it (not offended or the like). And just like Stardock tells me "we'd like to have you as a customer, but you have to accept our rules", I tell Stardock "I'd like to buy your product, but you have to accept my rules".
Just a personal opinion - and, who knows, maybe I'll reconsider some day - or Stardock!

Where you must be able to handle more than one language to do business effectively in the whole Europe, especially for handling customer support  Not to mention that some countries (like France) require to sell localized versions

Actually, greywolf1, if I understand correctly, you can archive your current Stardock programs using the Stardock Central software, so even in the seemingly unlikely event that their company would cease to exist any time soon, you would still be able to play the game as long as you archived it on removable media. (Obviously, you also need to keep a copy of the installation program for Stardock Central itself.)

I'm aware that any possible US retail date has not yet been announced, I was just wondering whether or not someone like Kyro could let me know if any developments had been made in preparation for a future UK retail release, given that he said the situation was not looking hopeful in the quoted thread regarding the GC2+DA Gold Edition.

Naturally I'd assumed Stardock were always trying to secure profitable deals with European retailers, and from Kyro's response that still seems to be the case. Many of us who have no option to download and install ("various reasons") would, no matter how small a proportion of Stardock's customer basewe are, like to be kept up to date as to whether or not it is healthy to salivate over the TotA feature list.

I'm not yet aware of any plans concerning a TA-included package at US retail, though I expect it'll happen eventually. As to Europe though, you're probably safest assuming the status quo--no new retail--until/if there's an announcement otherwise.

As noted by JennyBean on another thread, we can do mail orders if you're able to send a cheque or money order in US funds as a last resort. If you have any interest in that route, contact [email protected] for further details. I'd expect there are also some European shops that will import games, though that would probably cost more.

Thanks for the info.