Pricing Hurting Sales?

Distant Worlds is a vast, pausable real-time, 4X space strategy game which models a "living galaxy" with incredible options for replayability and customizability. Experience the full depth and detail of large turn-based strategy games, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game. Now greatly enhanced with the new Universe release, which includes all four previous releases as well as the new Universe expansion!

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Chiarden
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Chiarden »

I guess this is as good a place for a first post as any other so here it goes...

I just bought the complete bundle for 82.56€ (inc. VAT and Expansion-Promo) and while that surley is alot I feel it doesnt hurt the sales as much as the fact that there is no demo.

There is no way I will ever spend more than 15-20€ on a niche game based on other peoples written statements in reviews/forums or a feature list because none of that can catch how the game feels to me (satisfaction of personal expectations).

So the lack of a demo made me pirate the base game two days ago and after about 10 hours of gameplay I was totaly hooked and my decision was made. While I am quite an honest guy that gladly and generous supports people doing a good job (like waiters and devs [;)]) others might be tempted to keep the pirated product (along with their money) and even get the expentions too since they are allready on the track.

So my suggestion would be to mass-destribute the base game with a coded gametime restriction (25 ingame years?) to get more people aware and addicted of the game while excluding the temptation of pirating.


NOTE: I do not promote pirating this or any other game. If you feel the need to pirate a game as a kind of demo make sure to not share the data any more than neccesary (once the download is finished) and set yourself a short time limit only to use it before you replace it with the legitimate thing or dismiss it. Otherways you will only hurt yourself by sabotaging the further development of the game (and its sequels) you obviously enjoy to play.

dlcooper
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by dlcooper »

Distant Worlds looks like a great game but I've read a few places that you really need both expansions. The price is definitely what's stopping me. Unfortunately, Matrix don't seem to alter their prices much and don't seem to have many sales. Also, some of their games are definitely overpriced. Just check out AI War Alien Bundle and also Armada. They are both seriously overpriced compared to Steam, Gamersgate, and the deveopers website (for AI War). AI War Alien Bundle $16.99 at all three sites and 29.99 here!!! Distant Worlds looks great but I think they would get more players if they dropped the price. $39.99 is a lot for a game that was released 2 years ago, and about $80USD for game and expansions. I know a lot of people have said that they bought it and didn't regret the money.
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Yskonyn
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Yskonyn »

I don't think I agree with your statement that 39.99 for a game that is two years old is expensive, but I DO agree with your statement that $80 for the base game and its two expansions is expensive.
Would you jump in if the deal was 39.99 for the whole set up until now?
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dlcooper
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by dlcooper »

ORIGINAL: Yskonyn

I don't think I agree with your statement that 39.99 for a game that is two years old is expensive, but I DO agree with your statement that $80 for the base game and its two expansions is expensive.
Would you jump in if the deal was 39.99 for the whole set up until now?

I think a package deal like that would be great. A lot of things I've read about DW says you basically need the expansion packs. $39.99 for a 2 year old game would be ok if the game was good but I've read several times that if you try the basic game you'll never go back to it, but with the expansions it looks great.
Cauldyth
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Cauldyth »

I really enjoyed the base game on its own merits. The expansions made a good thing even better. :)
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Yskonyn
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Yskonyn »

I do see DW with its expansions as the whole game indeed.
In my view it would be fair to charge 40 bucks for the bundle instead of full price for the game and its expansions seperately.
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Jon Micheelsen
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Jon Micheelsen »

I bought all three at once an hour after reading about it somewhere in a 4x genre forum. All three packs costs just a little bit more than a brand new pretty but shallow 3d shooter. This was pretty obvious. So I never even for a second thought anything about the price and really don't see the fuss. I've played MOO2 extensively for 10 years, every now and then to get my 4x fix. I have tried just about every single other 4x genre game as well as pseudo-4x but always went back to MOO2 eventually. This fix however is now covered by the full DW combo and it will be from now on as the features where DW picks up the MOO2 legend and even exceeds MOO2 are many, and knowing DW is still being expanded upon this will only get better.

Anyone want to use this quote to promote DW is welcome. Whenever I come across someone that is into 4x DW is where I point!!

PS, I'm not wealthy at all, but like paying for quality. I would have paid more if I've had to!
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HectorOfTroy
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by HectorOfTroy »

They will probably (and will have to) lower the price once DW2 is relaeased.
Leaddernoir
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Leaddernoir »

Yeah I would pay $40 for a bundle package upto legends. Once the next expansion comes out I would then be extremely more inclined to pay the standard $25 or whatever to upgrade and based on the comments in this thread I suspect others would be in the same boat. Given this is not the only 'price too high' thread and given that an expansion would only exacerbate the current price complaint making it closer to $100 for an up-to date DW experience it would seem logical to expect a bundle package. With an expansion in the works you would expect Matrix to want to expand their player base thus increasing the potential number of customers for the next expansion. That is of course unless the next expansion is standalone. Either way I'm not going to pretend to know Matrix's business better than they do so its back to Space Empires V and SoaSE until either a bundle/Price reduction or DWII. Either way im sure DW will continue to be a success [:)]
Bebop Cola
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Bebop Cola »

No offense folks, but what is it about this game that makes everyone who stops by suddenly a business and marketing guru?
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Veloxi
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Veloxi »

So I got an email in my inbox saying Panzer Corps is having an anniversary sale. That sounds awesome, but it got me to thinking...why hasn't there been such a sale for Distant Worlds? I mean, it would make sense to me since it was also pretty critically acclaimed, was it not?

I mean I know a lot of folks who are VERY interested in the game, but the lack of a demo and the high price are preventing them from biting. Even just a sale where, say, the game and both expansions were $40 or $50 for an anniversary sale, would likely SERIOUSLY help boost sales and exposure.

I hope y'all are also planning a sale for around the time when the next expansion comes out as well. This game deserves more exposure and more people playing it.
DMan777
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by DMan777 »

ORIGINAL: Veloxi

So I got an email in my inbox saying Panzer Corps is having an anniversary sale. That sounds awesome, but it got me to thinking...why hasn't there been such a sale for Distant Worlds? I mean, it would make sense to me since it was also pretty critically acclaimed, was it not?

I mean I know a lot of folks who are VERY interested in the game, but the lack of a demo and the high price are preventing them from biting. Even just a sale where, say, the game and both expansions were $40 or $50 for an anniversary sale, would likely SERIOUSLY help boost sales and exposure.

I hope y'all are also planning a sale for around the time when the next expansion comes out as well. This game deserves more exposure and more people playing it.

Tread lightly, Veloxi. Thar be monsters here.
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Veloxi
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Veloxi »

ORIGINAL: DMan777

ORIGINAL: Veloxi

So I got an email in my inbox saying Panzer Corps is having an anniversary sale. That sounds awesome, but it got me to thinking...why hasn't there been such a sale for Distant Worlds? I mean, it would make sense to me since it was also pretty critically acclaimed, was it not?

I mean I know a lot of folks who are VERY interested in the game, but the lack of a demo and the high price are preventing them from biting. Even just a sale where, say, the game and both expansions were $40 or $50 for an anniversary sale, would likely SERIOUSLY help boost sales and exposure.

I hope y'all are also planning a sale for around the time when the next expansion comes out as well. This game deserves more exposure and more people playing it.

Tread lightly, Veloxi. Thar be monsters here.
Whateva! I do what I want! ;)

Seriously, how anyone could sincerely wish this game to remain and such a high price and therefore kept out of the hands of more potential fans is beyond me. It's SO GOOD. It REALLY deserves more people playing it.
Kal Naar
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Kal Naar »

ORIGINAL: Bebop Cola

No offense folks, but what is it about this game that makes everyone who stops by suddenly a business and marketing guru?

I think no one is trying to be a marketing guru here, but between:

1. the astronomical price of the game after 2 years of being launched.

and

2. the fact is very hard to bring other people into the game, even if they like it, because not everyone is willing to spend 80€ for it.


Makes people believe that a price reduction would be beneficial.
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Veloxi
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Veloxi »

ORIGINAL: Kal Naar

I think no one is trying to be a marketing guru here, but between:

1. the astronomical price of the game after 2 years of being launched.

and

2. the fact is very hard to bring other people into the game, even if they like it, because not everyone is willing to spend 80€ for it.


Makes people believe that a price reduction would be beneficial.
Quite right. Again, this game deserves more exposure, and a price cut -- which is normal for most games after a year or two -- would totally be helpful.
lukaszgwozdz2
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by lukaszgwozdz2 »

Add me to the group of people who would be potentially interested but are turned off by the price. Not only that - I remember that this is not the first time I've heard DW is awesome and worth looking into and yet every time I come to see how much it is it's the same story. No way I'm gambling $90 on a game without trying it out first - and it better be really awesome at that price point (which it very well may be). $40 for the entire set would be more reasonable but the lack of a demo is really hurting even at that price point. I'm not a marketing guru - far from it. That said it does seem like common sense to not sell 2 year old games with expansions for $90 - not in the age of other publishers (is the S-word forbidden here?) pricing their older games much less aggressively.
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jpwrunyan
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by jpwrunyan »

This was the stupidest thread ever until that one guy asked how to get best performance running this game in a windows emulator on a mac. But at least that stupid thread was original.

I should be happy though. As long as this thread keeps trudging on like a zombie (and like a zombie abominates life by being a twisted mockery of it) hopefully no one will reincarnate it for the fourth time.

Actually, I am happy. Please continue. I'm sure Matrix, like myself, is taking note of all this remarkable marketing acumen.
High price lowers demand? Of course! Why didnt I think of that! So if we make the game free... Then everyone in the world will want to play it!

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Bleek
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Bleek »

Easy there keyboard warrior, go take a shower.

As long standing DW owner I have to admit to enjoying the game, it was rough around the edges in the early days but certainly came good with the two expansions.

But that's the main annoyance, you have to buy the expansions to 'get' the complete game, the one devoid of bugs and holes, in essence you need the expansions.

Is it too expensive compared to the pricing of other games on the market? I'd have to agree with the majority, Matrix are asking a lot of cash for all three! How many other singleplayer PC games WITH expansions can you name that cost even half as much?

I still haven't purchased Legends myself, but I have the base game and first expansion. I still make recommendations to people to try DW, in fact I state it as the best 4X game I've played, but the price for the 'complete' game is a barrier for sure - gamers simply aren't expecting to pay so much.

What I'd like to see is a compilation package offering a discount for all three 'games' bought as one, I'm pretty confident that would help sales.
I've been beta testing myself for decades.
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Bleek
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Bleek »

Put it another way, how many other 2-3 year old games are still retailing for near full price?

I literally can't think of any.

The expansions are reasonably priced when purchased with the main game, I just placed them in my cart with the base game and they offer 20% off so they're down to £13.73.

However that's still £66.55 for a digital download and for me that's just not competitive, even for a brand new game, which this isn't.
I've been beta testing myself for decades.
Cauldyth
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RE: Pricing Hurting Sales?

Post by Cauldyth »

ORIGINAL: jpwrunyan
This was the stupidest thread ever until that one guy asked how to get best performance running this game in a windows emulator on a mac. But at least that stupid thread was original.
He wasn't asking about running it in a Windows emulator, he was asking about running it in Windows 7, on Apple hardware. Bootcamp is not an emulator, it's merely a boot loader that allows you to select which of your installed OSes you want to boot. Apple hardware is pretty much PC hardware these days, and is perfectly capable of running Windows instead of OS X, which is what he was doing.

Try to understand what's being discussed before jumping down people's throats.
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