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Strange pricing structure: what is with the download prices?

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Strange pricing structure: what is with the download prices?

from Stardock Forums
I played GalCiv incessantly for quite some time when it first came out until I could beat it fairly often on HUGE galaxy and MASOCHISTIC difficulty, then got caught up in other stuff and drifted away. Now that the expansion is coming out I decided to give it another go... imagine my (not good) surprise when I found my GalCiv CD case with serial number... empty. I've looked everywhere for the CD and can't find it, and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that I'll have to buy it again if I want to play the expansion.

So I looked at the prices and found that I can buy the Galactic Civilization Deluxe Edition for $29.95 which includes the original game and the expansion. However, the price to download the original game alone is $39.95 and $19.95 for the expansion, for a total of $59.90.

What the? Why would anyone buy the game direct from Stardock when I can get the Deluxe edition, including the original and the expansion for cheaper than I can get just the original game from Stardock? Shouldn't the pricing be updated? I'd love to download the game immediately, but I'm sure as heck not paying a $30 surcharge for it. ($60 for original + expansion from stardock -vs- $30 for deluxe retail)

Am I missing something?

I also assume that the CD key I have does me no good without the original CD? It doesn't count as a proof of purchase, for example?
952 views 29 replies
Reply #26 from Stardock Forums Top
I would probably do the same thing, but we both already own GalCiv. When I was a new customer I would have laughed in your face if you tried to sell me a download-only version of a game for $40 when I knew I could get it on CD for $16 elsewhere.

~SDC~
Reply #27 from Stardock Forums Top
I would probably do the same thing, but we both already own GalCiv. When I was a new customer I would have laughed in your face if you tried to sell me a download-only version of a game for $40 when I knew I could get it on CD for $16 elsewhere.
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I did buy GC at a lower price retail but after I saw what I got for my money I did feel almost like I had "stolen" it in a sense after I discovered the support and this community. Then, at the same time I was smacked with what a bad software company does when I bought MOO3 where support requests are met with silence. That just showed me even more how good we have it here with Stardock.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #28 from Stardock Forums Top
I did buy GC at a lower price retail but after I saw what I got for my money I did feel almost like I had "stolen" it in a sense after I discovered the support and this community. Then, at the same time I was smacked with what a bad software company does when I bought MOO3 where support requests are met with silence. That just showed me even more how good we have it here with Stardock.
End of quote


I fall into this category too. I was looking for GC in stores for several weeks after reading a good review on Gamespy. I got lucky and found a used copy of GC at EB Games (with CD jewel case with registration key) after I couldn't find a new copy anywhere. I liked the game right away and saw positive feedback on this forum so I bought AP online from StarDock. I feel sort of bad for not buying GC direct, but I never would have thought that the distributor would screw the software developer that badly. I'll pre-order GC2 from StarDock when the Beta is ready. I'm totally buying-in to online software delivery for games. I've owned Halflife (the original one) for a long time and I like Valve's "Steam" delivery system. I think Valve and StarDock are on the right track.

On the other hand, I also bought MOO3 release the week it was released. What a piece of sh*t! I can't believe I spent 80 $CDN on that buggy junk software! I'm still sour about the fact that Infogrames/Atari/Quicksilver put no effort into patching that game after the flood of complaints from customers about bugs. StarDock deserves credit for not treating their customers that way.

PC

~SDC~
Reply #29 from Stardock Forums Top
Eventually they will get paid but not what they were owed. Strategy First is reorganizing which does not mean they will NEVER pay. Unless I misunderstand how they filed the bankrupt report. :( Still very sad a great company like this is being hurt in this way.

Glad you said something Qwerk as I support Stardock price structure it is not out of line at all considering the excellent community they have! :p

NeoTech Gaming http://neotechgaming.com Galciv fansite
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