Rerelease with first expansion

from Elemental Forums

Given the problems surrounding the first release of Elemental, the problems with getting the game in stock, and getting proper reviews I would like for offer my advise on getting the game the fame it will eventually deserve.

Brad has already promised continuing patching the game, including adding more content, essentially delivering expansion packs through patching. I believe this is admirable and definitely the right thing to do. It doesn't however give game reviewers a good well-defined opportunity to rereview the game, or game shop to restock the game.

To solve this I suggest rerelease the patched, expanded game later under a new game. The buyers of the original game will already have gotten this content, so the "expansion" is not fpr existing constumers. And since it is not for existing costumers it could also be safely released with original game and expansion combined at full price for a new game, it would need an an updated after-title (perhaps "Elemental: War of Sorcery", whatever). Retailers could then stock the new game, and reviewers could review a new game. As we saw from the passionate text of existing reviews, there is plenty of goodwill towards Elemental. It just needs a re-release, one that is free for us that already have bought the game, but gives a better coordinated starting ground for everyone else.

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8,796 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Well reviewers reviewed both of the Gal Civ 2 expansions so I would expect them to review the Elemental ones too, I expect a pay expansion to come out in a year.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I think the first expantion should be free... just because the first release was... in dire need for expantions...

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I think the first expansion beta should have at least 30 full work days (8hrs each) devoted to a "Finished" beta using a finished product.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Yay I will have to pay for an expansion to make this game less bug ridden?

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting rancmiller, reply 2
I think the first expantion should be free... just because the first release was... in dire need for expantions...
End of rancmiller's quote
Brad already said the first paid expansion will be FREE for those of us that own the game.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting BoydofZINJ, reply 4
Yay I will have to pay for an expansion to make this game less bug ridden?
End of BoydofZINJ's quote

No, we have already been promised it will be free, or possible just delivered as patched for the game. What I am advocating is to release the first expansion, not as an expansion but as a new release (original game + expansion). Since it is already free for original buyers this will not be extorting us, but will make it easier for new adaptors, since they will only have to buy one item instead of two (the original and the expansion). Also if the game is just patched contuniosly instead of released as one big expansion. Then the expansion would not really have a name and specific release date. I think the new name and release date is important to give game reviewers a specific new item to review. 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

We were also promised multiplayer at launch ... or near launch.  So I will hold it to a grain of salt and realize that a company that just laid off employees will be offering free stuff soon.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

I don't expect a free lunch, but I am just saying that a new launch could be good business, but if an new expansion is combined with the original game it would really screw the core customers, so by making it free to upgrade, you make it possible to make this clean new release.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

That's probably what they'll do. Since he talked about giving it free to those who already have the game, they could do a bundle offer sale and get re-reviewed for the expansion. Dark Avatar was a GalCiv2 expansion and it got rave reviews. So that's a viable strategy given that it gives them the time they need to sort things out.