Marketing

from Sins Forums
Hello all. First post.

I've just come back to SEAsia from an almost five year academic exodus to Europe and am looking for a job. I'm quite an active gamer, keeping in touch with the PC games industry when I can.

I'm currently in Singapore and this place has by no means a slow gaming industry. Hellgate: London was released here the same time as the European release and all other major titles have made it here on the international release date.

However, no one seems to have heard about Sins of a Solar Empire. And once you think about it, for a game that'll take space RTS/4X to the next level, there's quite little/no coverage in SEAsia. That got me thinking about Europe and guess what - Sins of a Solar Empire isn't listed on Play.com, Amazon.co.uk or Game.co.uk, the three largest PC game retailers in the UK. None of my gamer buddies ever mentioned it to me while in England either.

Is there something I'm missing for SEAsia or UK? I haven't tried the game yet (no cash, moving is expensive!) but feel that it has a lot of potential. Does Ironclad or Stardock have a super marketing plan it hasn't revealed yet? It's missing an extremely large market. Plus, I would really like a boxed edition. :d
10,590 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Well, it is a little early for it to be "buyable" from most online places, or even brick'n'mortar stores -- we still have 2 months to go before release, after all :D

That said, since it does exist on the US version of Amazon.com I don't know -- I do remember that they're "farming" out the job of selling the game internationally to various other companies. IIRC, Europe in specific didn't have any real plans for it so far... I don't remember the details, alas, and the forum's search feature is pretty well broken.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
True, there still is time. But I notice that the heavier sellers like Oblivion, SupCom and Crysis had a LOT of news/marketing in regards to it and were available for pre-order fairly early. I preordered SupCom in May 2006. :D

I hope you're right in regards um...distributor farming. I really want this game. But first the 'ol system needs an upgrade. GPUs overheat with frightening frequency near the equator. (:(
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
GPUs overheat with frightening frequency near the equator.
End of quote


Ouch...

Given the location, I guess your going to be stuck with tracking down one of those phase cooling things... (Basically, a refrigerator for a computer case...)
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Okay, here's the deal:

In North America you'll be able to find the game from Stardock Entertainment at retail and direct.

In Australia/New Zealand you'll be able to find the game at retail from Auran.

In Russia you'll be able to find the game at retail from Snowball.

Despite spending most of this year talking to European partners, nobody who could offer us an attractive deal wanted to pick up Sins. They were all very interested in the game (lots of very positive feedback), but they all felt that the German market wouldn't support it. Since Germany is the largest PC gaming market in Europe, without them it's a no-go. There's also a trend in Europe right now to support more casual titles (apparently), so we also have been shot down on that reasoning:  I kid you guys not, we were told that pony simulations were the #1 priority and that "hardcore" games were not from one publisher.

The Asian markets simply couldn't offer enough money to make it worth our interest.

We're still working on finding partners for Sins in both Europe and Asia, but it's honestly taken more of a backburner role as we need to focus on finishing the game. Anyone can purchase Sins directly from Stardock as we ship worldwide for just $10 USD s&h fee (which given the state of the dollar right now is a huge bargain). ;)

If our friends in Asia/Europe want to see the game at retail in their territory, contact your local publishers and let them know about Sins. :)  Email your favorite local press outlets and let them know about the game. Maybe with some grassroots support we can move things forward.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top


Anyone can purchase Sins directly from Stardock as we ship worldwide for just $10 USD s&h fee (which given the state of the dollar right now is a huge bargain).


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yup. in spite of the shipping, I paid less than I would have if I would buy it in a shop. (assuming somewhat standard pc game prices). at least one good thing about a strong euro and weak dollar.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

The Asian markets simply couldn't offer enough money to make it worth our interest.


We're still working on finding partners for Sins in both Europe and Asia, but it's honestly taken more of a backburner role as we need to focus on finishing the game.

End of quote


KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!


Anyone can purchase Sins directly from Stardock as we ship worldwide for just $10 USD s&h fee (which given the state of the dollar right now is a huge bargain).

End of quote


Who should I start kissing? :p

Don't mention the state of the USD. Having difficulties making an opinion on the prospects on the USD right now.

Once I get a nice job (and stable income), time and a new machine I'll look into talking to the local publishers. I'm still new to Singapore so that may be quite a while to go. The money is there in Asia, the boom is ridiculous. I understand the problem is that the biggest hit in Singapore right now are handhelds and consoles so the lack of interest in a PC space RTS/4X is unfortunately understandable. Ponies? wtf?

Thanks for the insight, Yarlen.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
What about gaming sites like Gamespy, Strategy Planet, etc. etc., or gaming magazines? Hell they can post reviews of sins, but will they plug the game?
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
Eurogamer should review this game, everyone in Europe will hear about it then!
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
I've seen the game get some previews in europe, as far as it seems a large german mag has one in the current issue. can't see it much discussed in general though, but if I see any threads I will post a link to multis videos. that should get some attention.