$ 20 expansion pack. MAYBE? PROBABLY NOT?

Hell, I'd pay 30 bucks for it if SD doesn't get the 5k votes they need to give the go-ahead for it. I agree on the 3 answers. There doesn't need to be any others.

Give me a break. Obviously there are many reasons someone would choose maybe, or probably not. First of all, we can see that simply by the fact maybe is the 2nd most chosen answer, and also my answer to the poll.

Why did I answer maybe? I like GalCiv, but over time, it's losing it's lustre in my eyes. This is nothing new and is not meant to insult the game. This happens with every game I buy eventually. In fact GalCiv has probably kept my attention longer than most.

So would I buy an expansion pack in the new year? I don't know. If you ask me today, I can only say maybe. If it was something that looked very interesting, I might buy it. However, I might also be so tired of GalCiv by the new year, maybe the expansion pack will be of no interest at all.

If you ask me today, if I'm going to buy something that isn't even clear what it is, or how I'll feel about it at the time, well there is only one answer I can give you.

For twenty dollars I would buy it. If they bump the price up to thirty however...I'd have to pass.

I'd have to say maybe myself. It depends on what's in it. New races? A revamp of the ai? New features? More events. More stuff. It all depends.

I said 'probably not'. Galciv has already lost my intrest (not an insult, see Paguma's post), and I only occasionally stop by this site now out of habit. However, if the expansion pack had a lot of new features (GalCiv needs more major races) I'd consider it.

First of all, I would hope any fix type things go to all the people who already have GalCiv for free. I've been very insulted in the past with companies who tried to sell "fixes" as an added upgrade.

As for new features that might get my attention as someone who is slowly losing interest in GalCiv.

More ships, maybe option to customize ships, new races. I think you see a trend. If I'm going to shell out more money, I want NEW features, not just fixing what is already there.

Although, this may sound funny, I think fixing what is there now is more important. There are certain things that make playability very difficult, especially in late games in large universes. Other, more frequent posters to the forums have already expressed these ideas, so I won't bother doing it again, except one.

Waypoints are a great addition, but the ability to move a waypoint would probably be not that difficult, but would be a massive improvement to late game playability in large games. It's the little things like this, that while not terribly sexy, or exciting to code, that would make GalCiv, in it's present form, a much better game.

Although, let's also give credit where it's due. The free expansion pack is great, and is very much appreciated! It got me back playing, for awhile at least.

I'm going away on a business trip this week, and GalCiv is one of those games that still plays nicely on the laptop, so I'll be submitting a few more scores hopefully.

Well, I wouldn't rule out the expansion pack quickly, but I wouldn't automatically purchase it either. If there is something worth getting, then I might be interested.

Take a look at the expansion pack feature list:


Based on the list itself, most of these changes appear to be either minor, moddable, or a removal of a restriction - none of which is really expansion pack material. The only changes that would catch my eye would be the logistics, map editor, and the new UP screen.

I chose maybe because I might buy the expansion pack, and I might decide to upgrade to drengin.net. If I upgrade, then the last answer would apply, if I don't, then maybe would still apply, as I am not sure if I will still be playing this when it comes out, in addition to the other concerns posted above (regarding selling fixes, ect).

You say less choices, I said there should have been one more: "I will upgrade to drengin.net if you do put out the x-pack for this game."

Yes, I chose mabey because I would want to see what new features would be included in a $20 expansion pack.
If its something I'm not interested in I'm not going to buy it. Stardock has given some hints about what might be included in a payfor expansion (see above), but nothing definite. I would wait to see what they came up with before I voted "yes".

Personally, I chose maybe because I've only had the game a couple of weeks. Whilst I'm hooked now, I haven't played the game anywhere near enough to know if I'll still be wanting to play it in January.

The major feature of a premium expansion pack would be the map/scenario editor.

It would really let you do all sorts of fun an interesting thigns in the game that currently aren't possible.

 

Really, like what? I'm not sure I'd be interested in that at all.

I'm not really interested in scenarios at all personally. Not sure why I'd want a map editor either. I like having random maps.

So I guess I just don't fall into the target audience for this expansion pack then.

I'd be more interested in seeing things that enhance the existing game. i.e. more races, more ships, completely new stuff I can't think of, but maybe you can, etc...

map/scenario editor wouldn't hurt, but if that's the main selling point, then for me, it's a no-go.

Paguma, see # 7 in this thread. Seems your wishes are already fulfilled. Don't underestimate the fun of playing scenario's, though. It would be a great feature. And the map editor can enhance your pleasure in having random maps.
[Message Edited]

If we look at the poll I'd say around 1,250 players say they will buy the pack. Brad said he would need 5,000 to make it break even. If we add the "maybe"to the score, it would be around 2,000 (potential) buyers. I think Brad has to announce he will go for the $20 expansion pack.

and that is just 2000 potential sales from the chat board. This would not include all the potential sales from retail outlets.

AQs for a map editor, that would be a nice addition. I know in another game I had, you had the ability to use custom galaxies. A LOT of players started using real galaxy configurations instead of random ones. Imagine being able to play all the real galaxies available from the hubble telescope. I could see a large amount of custom galaxies available for download. Would add a twist of realism to the game.
I likewise am not really int scenarios, but having the option to try them out is a good thing. Along with all the other goodies of course.

I still would like to see a PBEM option added.

I wouldn't take a poll on a website so serious. I'm pretty sure there are much more potential buyers than 2000 "yes"-voters and on the other hand many "yes"-voters won't buy it in the end because of reason XY. It can only reveal a tendency towards a success/failure. And yeah, I would buy it

~SDC~

I think there should have been a probably option

I picked maybe because it would depend on:

-what the features were

-how much I was interested in playing galciv at the time

-what other games I was interested in

But it does give an indication as to the potential demand - and some idea as to what people want in it!

Alex


~SDC~

Freya:

I know there is talk of some new races and ships, but Frogboy has also said the main new addition it the scenario/map editor.

If I'm not interested in the latter, and at the time of delivery the added races or ships (and others) doesn't seem that exciting to me, then I won't be interested. That's all I'm saying, as that's what this thread was originally about.

Why would someone say maybe... Looking at the plans for the expansion pack, I'm not sure I'm interested.

As has been mentioned, besides the map and scenario editor, there would be 2 new races, new ships, new technologies, new events including scripted ones.

The scenario editor I think will be the big deal because I like the idea of being able to set up custom games. Have 3 on 3 games or 2 on 2 on 2 on 2 and so on.

I also like the idea of being able to tweak the rate of technology (slow it down, speed it up, etc.).

~SDC~

And Nightmare difficulty!!!

The devs have done a lot for us with Galciv so far. There has been a fair bit of hit-and-run patching in the game industry of late, as in releasing a patch or two to fix the most glaring, game-stopping problems and then dropping further fixes to a game that might still need some major work to be enjoyable, but Galciv has been a work in progress with a lot of support even months after release for what was already a good game when it was released. Because of this past and present level of commitment, I believe there is a good cause to give Stardock the benefit of the doubt when it comes to a paid expansion pack. This does not seem to be a case where a couple of new maps and a few extra units are thrown together in a flimsy excuse to milk more money out of the gamer.

The maybe votes are practical, as Paguma has pointed out. The quality of the $20 expansion will swing the maybe votes one way or the other real quickly, and with Stardock's track record, I think those maybes would soon turn into buyers the minute the pack is released and good player reviews start popping up on the forum.