Something Serious

[Atrocities]

I just finished reading up on Galatic Civilizations, over at Game Spot

The produce of this game have what I think is a very novel idea when it comes to keeping a game alive over time. Here, you can read it for yourself.

quote:

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As an indie, we know we can't compete with the marketing and distribution of the major publishers. But we can hopefully make up for that by keeping the game fresh. As a gamer, you probably know the feeling of seeing a good game not get purchased because it's no longer "new enough." We are hoping that if we keep the game always new, we can keep it fresh for players to stay interested in it. So we actually anticipate making many changes to the game over time.

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Oh it gets better.

quote:

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To this end, we're designing it so that Users themselves can expand the game in unprecedented ways. We're not talking about including some editor. We mean that you will actually be able to create technologies, improvements, events, United Planet Issues, etc. and just drop them into your Galactic Civilizations directory. We are creating a library on the Galactic Civilizations Web site (which we'll be relaunching in the third week of February with an all newdesign and database), where Users can share and trade these things. Those that are approved by the admins become "canon," which means that Users with those modules installed will have their scores counted in the metaverse (this is to prevent people from making things that allow them to get incredibly high scores unfairly).

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Isn't this exacatly what Malfador is and HAS been doing all along? Seems to me that someone else is now trying to steal the very thunder that is keeping SEIV in rythm. Just look at it this way, Malfador has steadily supported SEIV since its beta days, and even now, is still on the ball and keeping things alive with the up coming release of SEIV Gold.

If Malfador can keep supporting SEIV as it has been, and keep it "new" with player suggested improvements and such, I'll bet SEIV will still be an actively placed game 2 years from now. Question is, will it still be selling? I would hope so as it is one of the finest 4x games I have had the pleasure of playing.

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

[Arboris]

Malfador & Shrapnel are without a doubt one of the very few creator/publisher combo's that I have ever seen that is truly dedicated to their products.

Well, I'll tell you what I am going to do...

As a direct response to your post I am going to get off my duff and purchase SE IV Gold. Within minutes of this very post in fact.

Between the mod community, Malfador, and Shrapnel's enthusiastic support. The Space Empires series is here to stay.

[Bman]

I am very happy with my SE4 purchase just as I was happy with SE3 and will be happy with SE4:Gold.

That being said, I have been keeping my eye on GalCiv for quite a while. I have heard nothing but good things about it's previous OS/2 incarnation. It has a lot of role-playing elements that you don't find in any other 4x space games. For example, as you explore the universe you are often presented with questions. The different answers have different repercussions. The example always given is: You land on a planet and discover primitives living there. You can a) kill them all and colonize the planet. b) enslave them. c) only establish a tiny outpost and let the primitives live mostly alone. d) leave the planet alone.

a) gives you the most space to build but is quite evil.
b) is fairly evil. It gives you less space to build, but you get some cheap labor!
c) is pretty good of you but gives you only a small space to build.
d) is really nice of you but gives you no space to build.

And over time your choices affected how others view your empire. If you always do evil things, your empire becomes perceived as evil by the other civs. And even your graphics changed to more dark and sinister looking graphics. It sounds like a neat concept and I look forward to seeing how it works in action.

[disabled]

For MM's sake, I would keep an eye on the game and keep that 'Cease and Desist' order handy just incase...

[ June 16, 2003, 03:16: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Richard]

Guys Galciv has been around for a LONG time, probably as long as the SE series. I don't see any harm in another similiar game being out there....

[mottlee]

Hmmm... I looked it up and I did not find even a demo to D/L SEIV has it beat in my book

[Arboris]

Richard,

I was aware of "Galactic Civilization's" long history. Honestly I plan to purchase it along with "Moo III", Stars Supernova" and any other 4x space conquest game I can get my hands on.

However the true spirit of "Atrocities" post is one of support for "SE IV" and his concern and devotion reminded me just how incredible the support "Malfador " and "Shrapnel" has given this. It also reminded me of a nice experience I once had ordering one of your other products.

In an age where most game companies treat their customers with disdain and offer little to no support of their products. It is good to know that there still is a bright spot in the universe where you can still find product devotion and exceptional customer service.

As a jaded, impatient, give it to me now kind of gamer. I was skeptical of the early support provided by SE IV. In fact I was critical of both Malfador & Shrapnel in a post many moons ago...

As many I also wanted revolutionary AI a "Robert Jordan" sized multi-volume rules manual and strategy guide. A 3D holographic display of ship battles that jumped off my monitor screen that allowed me to plot my combat via voice command. Never ending patch support and free product upgrades that I could pass down to my children.

I even resisted and resented the notion of purchasing SE IV gold in order to enhance my enjoyment of SE IV. In fact I did not plan to do so until I read "Atrocities" post.

However for some inexplicable reason "Atrocities" post struck home and it reminded me that...

#1. I come here at least once each week and follow the many Posts on this forum. I have received my money's worth from the entertainment value of this forum alone.

#2 Because of the magnificent game design we have a wealth of incredible game mods that allow for almost any kind of gaming experience that you might desire. In fact I'm usually overwhelmed with the plethora of choice that exist. SE IV GOLD will extend the game's mod-ability even further.

#3. Space Empires IV has truly evolved and despite limited resources it is clear "Malfador" & "Shrapnel" have given this game their all.

#4. Game support such as this deserves to be rewarded.

As a result I purchased "SE IV GOLD " today along with the " Official SE IV Gold Mouse pad" to show my support.

I hope that this post will push a few more fence sitters like me in the right direction and if I may as be so bold as to suggest...Purchase a Mouse pad too:-)

-Nigel Wulf

[mac5732]

I've been a gamer since the 8th grade and have played countless wargames both board and computer, and even tho I shall continue to purchase and play other games, I always come back to SEIV on a continuous basis. I can honestly say, In my opinion, SEIV has been the most enjoyable, fun and entertaining game that I have played and shall continue to play. Others are good and fun but I don't enjoy them as much as SEIV. And as for this forum, it beats hands down any other gaming one on the net. Anyone who has played the game and seen the support from Sharpnel,MM and those here knows what I'm saying.
I wouldn't worry too much about other games, SEIV will be hard to beat, why do you think other companies are looking into incorporating similiar ideas into their games? SEIV has become a leader and has set precedents other companies wish they had.

just some ideas mac

[Saxon]

Shrapnel has a great record of supporting games, which are very modifiable by the players and should be rewarded for their championing of a good idea. With that kind of innovation comes the curse that someone else is going to copy you, which is generally good for the consumer, if hard on the innovator.

That said, the idea needs to be backed by strong initial design. SEIV is great, but Armies of Armageddon left me cold. In fact, it left me so cold that I wrote a review against the game and Shrapnel demonstrated their integrity by leaving it on the reviews page. Runesword, AOA and SEIV all use the modifying concept and, as Richard says, there is no harm in having a similar game out there. This new game happens to be in the same genre as our beloved SEIV and is with a different publisher. Let us see if it has an initial design to match (or beat) SEIV or if it is an Armies of Armageddon. The competition is going to come no matter what (MOO3 anyone?) and the SEIV team (and community) will have to rise to the challenge.

Given their past record, I don’t doubt they will.

[Richard]

I just noticed your place of origin was Kenya. Wow I am impressed, I know we sell games everywhere but I don't think I can remember a posted from Africa before . Or maybe I just haven't noticed .