Gamestop shipping Armada already!

[ControlledChaos]

Unfortunately I have to go to work now [:(]. Be back in 5 hrs. If the game is not out by then, I'll post some initial impressions throughout the weekend.
 
Hope Matrix can get it out before then though.

[Epsilon]

Same I got this weekend off, but not the next, so it'll be another 14 days before I have time to play :/
But a release this weekend would definitely be well appreciated given that theres people who can buy it now at gamestop.

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Guys,

We hear you, but we are bound by contract here. I have asked if we can release this earlier than originally planned, but if they say no we will have to wait until the 24th. Believe me, we want to get it to you ASAP and we are ready to sell it if we get the green light. We just don't want to cause any issues on the retail side.

Regards,

- Erik

[LarryP]

Understood. [:)]

[Tom_Holsinger]

Erik, could you at least put the whole manual on-line?

[Princessjj1]

Any answer, Erik?

[cdbeck]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Hi Guys,

We hear you, but we are bound by contract here. I have asked if we can release this earlier than originally planned, but if they say no we will have to wait until the 24th. Believe me, we want to get it to you ASAP and we are ready to sell it if we get the green light. We just don't want to cause any issues on the retail side.

Regards,

- Erik

Erik, are you asking NTronium, is that who you are referring to?

Just some anecdotes, not advice or anything like that. When I worked at Ebgames, when one party "broke contract" it basically made the contract void - i.e. if Best Buy sold a copy early then we would follow suit in the spirit of fair competition. It was a dirty business, some retailers would send "spies" to get early copies and force competitors to break street date so they could sell early (there was a chance at fines if you broke street date early and it resulted in poor relations with a distributor or publisher). This happened more often than you think - especially with big releases - like Blizzard ones (we actually had Warcraft 3 copies about three weeks before release date, sitting in the back, mocking us).

Strange this would happen with Armada 2526, I'm thinking it was a misunderstanding - as people are pulling back from PC sales. But IMHO, Matrix should be allowed to sell, under free competition - Gamestop shouldn't have market monopoly.

SoM

[killroyishere]

I think it's funny the shoe on the other foot and the physical copy gets out before the download. Way to go Gamestop! woohoo

also: it's in Grapevine Mills Mall and Stonebriar Center

It's nice to be from Texas. [:D]

You all from the North and overseas gotta wait haha

[Terminus]

Much weirdness...[&:]

[Epsilon]

So gamestop can prevent Matrixgames from selling it eventhough they're selling it and Matrixgames is the publisher?...err? what?!
That would definitely make the contract void.

[killroyishere]

Thas ok you downloaders only have to wait four more long drawn out grueling 24 hour periods before you can get it. Just be patient. [:D]

[EisenHammer]

It looks like people who mail order it from EB site are getting it now.

[cdbeck]

Ebgames is owned and operated by Gamestop now, FYI.

SoM

[Erik Rutins]

I believe the requirement is that it be widely available in retail before we are allowed to sell it online. This is just part of doing business with retail these days, they are very anti-online sales (unless it's their own download site). I'm still waiting to hear back, but my guess is that if it's only showing up in the stores in Texas that we will have to wait to put it up for sale.

As far as whether we as the publisher could sell it anyway if we chose to - sure, but that would then burn our bridges to these retail stores (especially GameStop) in the future and I don't see how that would be wise. Worst case scenario, it will go on sale here as soon as the date changes to November 24th in some part of the world.

Regards,

- Erik

[NefariousKoel]

Breach of contract. 

In these days of incessant litigation, I can understand being cautious.  However, Matrix isn't the one who broke it. 

Consult the lawyers and put it up. [:D]

[cdbeck]

Does online retail not count here - because I assume I could get it anywhere if I just ordered online.

[Epsilon]

<edited>

I believe the 4x segment is so small it needs all the support it can get, but undoubtedly many people won't care about that.
It really sucks that gamestop can ruin this games release like this.

[Erik Rutins]

Epsilon,

Thanks, but I'd rather we not post about that subject so I edited your post slightly.

If you want to give maximum support to the developer (or Matrix), your best option is to order from us directly once that option is available, but all methods of purchase will support the developer to some degree.

Regards,

- Erik

[Epsilon]

Buying or not is out of the question I will buy the game and pay to have the box shipped to me, I never support gamestop and won't do so now either. Definitely not when buying direct gives more money back to the developer.
Gamestop have proven time and time again they don't care about pc games as they're not the biggest segment. So I don't have any sense of loyalty towards them.

[AminMaalouf]

... wrong thread ...
sorry