Gal Civ 3 is ready for alpha - $99 on Steam

[balto]

Check it out. I thought this was a year away. If I get time this weekend, I will check it out.

If anyone else jumps in, let us know what you think.

[ASHBERY76]

There is too much game cut out to give this a serious play and opinion.I had a 20 minute look and will shelf it for 6 months.The game looks like GC2 but with Hexes,better diplomacy portraits and some added nebula effects.

If ship combat and planet invasions are similar it looks like a sequel with no ambition at all.Basically a GC2 clone but we shall see.

[Larsenex]

Meh, I missed out on the 39.99 founder and I doubt I will pony up the Benjamin for an 'alpha' base game. Granted I really do love GC2 and will support most x4 type space games, I am bit stretched financially at this time to get it. Alpha is Alpha. Asher, if all they did was graduate GC2 to NEW DX 11, 64bit (for super large maps), hexes, and the same exact gameplay I would consider it superior.

[Cauldyth]

Uh, $99?

[Icemania]

Yeah I'm Founder's Elite, may have a look at the Alpha at some stage, but will probably wait for the Beta. Will be monitoring community feedback that's for sure.

[Icemania]

$99 is for Founders Elite which gives all future DLC/Expansions, Alpha Access and Founder's Vault Access. From the Gal Civ 3 FAQ $50 is the base price (i.e. for use later given it's at Alpha) but this was $40 for those that signed up early as a Founder (and which is upgradeable to Founders Elite).

[Cauldyth]

So to get early access, you have to commit to pre-ordering all of the expansion packs... things which may not have even been conceived yet, let alone announced... a full year before even the base game itself is available.

I think that's a pass for me.

[dougo33]

ORIGINAL: Icemania

$99 is for Founders Elite which gives all future DLC/Expansions, Alpha Access and Founder's Vault Access. From the Gal Civ 3 FAQ $50 is the base price (i.e. for use later given it's at Alpha) but this was $40 for those that signed up early as a Founder (and which is upgradeable to Founders Elite).

I bought on early to be a founder. I downloaded the alpha today and played around with it. I think it looks very promising, but it is a work in progress. Based on the past GalCiv games, I think this will be good when completed.

<Edited for spelling>

[Iwbtone]

Glad to see this awesome pack, bcz including all future contents[&o] and actually GalCiv 2 is my favourite 4x game last decade ,

but sadly i have bought DW + 3 expansions last year by 80+ dollars, atm not enough budget on GivCiv 3.

Really hope DWU will offer a deep discount for original DW oweners

[Kayoz]

$99 to be an alpha/beta tester seems pretty steep. What will they want for the finished product? $200?

I'll pass.

[Iwbtone]

ORIGINAL: Kayoz

$99 to be an alpha/beta tester seems pretty steep. What will they want for the finished product? $200?

I'll pass.

Take this price as a early access deluxe support edition, just like many games on Kickstarter, exp: planetary annihilation.
Actually retail's price is $50 according to official site info, and there was a $40 founder version on SD's site for a limited time.
Now it launched on steam, and only alpha stage now, Elite Founder version now is the only purchase option as same as official site.

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: Iwbtone

Take this price as a early access deluxe support edition, just like many games on Kickstarter, exp: planetary annihilation.
Actually retail's price is $50 according to official site info, and there was a $40 founder version on SD's site for a limited time.
Now it launched on steam, and only alpha stage now, Elite Founder version now is the only purchase option as same as official site.

Deluxe support edition? I don't equate those terms with "alpha/beta tester". One shouldn't be paying a premium to help them test the bugs in their software - they should be offering a discount.

As for Kickstarter - most offer their products to supporters at less than the predicted price. If I'm reading you correctly, an extra $40 to TEST their software is downright absurd.

Count me in for a double pass. I'd rather have my eyes glued open to Justin Bieber videos.

[feygan]

Laughed at this when I saw it on another site, but at the same felt very envious of whoever originally stumbled on the genius that is early access and all it's sibling systems. This has to be the largest cash cow in the video game market since micro transactions in Farmville and all it's spawn. To think that at one point in history a game developer would needed to have spend countless hours in bathtubs contriving a refreshing concept, then pitched that idea (or sat jobless for months) to someone with a wealth of experience of current market trends who actually knew what sells and what doesn't . Finally they would of had to press ganged a slew of folks with more knowledge and experience to test the product and iron out issues before the final release day. Now they can simply churn out a any rubbish that has barely left concept stage and call it "early access".

However it is also a tragic statement about the general consumers of video games today as to how successful early access has become. I wonder if the buyers of all this stuff would so happily spend full price or more on an early access car where the brake system was in "development stage". True a car is entirely different from a simple video game you while away a few hours on, but it does show what sort of culture the general gaming community has become.

Kickstarter is also guilty of this though to some small extent a lesser degree, there have been a few good things on there that may not have seen the light of day otherwise. However in general it is yet again a few money scheme that manages to skip a real investor stage. Most investors do so for a monetary return, to invest in a product with nothing apart from a reduced version is madness. If the product has real legs it will get produced either by force of will from a dedicated inventor or when it is snapped up by a shrewd investor. In that case just go buy one when it is on a shop shelf at rrp. If folks have so much extra cash to throw free profit to others why not spend the 39.99 on the product at release and donate the extra to some worthy charity or research cause.

Of course all of this is only being said because I truly am bitter it was not I who devised this concept. Otherwise I would be the one buying a third island somewhere just to make my private jurassic park or such.

[Icemania]

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
$99 to be an alpha/beta tester seems pretty steep. What will they want for the finished product? $200?

As I posted before the base game cost when released is $50 (if you missed the Founders $40 special) not $200, that is downright absurd.

Personally I'm not very interested in the Alpha or Beta. I'm happy to pay $99 for the DLC/Expansions, Founders Vault and to support a developer where I've more than got my money's worth out of Galactic Civilisations 2 and Sins of a Solar Empire (Base Games and Expansions). In short, I trust the developer to do the right thing based on my personal past experiences, but can appreciate why it is a stretch for others.

And yeah, for those who may want to Alpha/Beta Test, it's an interesting approach. Their Early Access Feedback Forum is certainly very busy at the moment regardless ...

ORIGINAL: Kayoz
Count me in for a double pass.

Win Win! [:'(]

[TanC]

Yep, another pass from me too. Since it's going to be on Steam I'll just wait for that 75% off for a fully patched up game + expansions. [:D] And DWU will be accompanying me all that time.

[ASHBERY76]

I bought it for the lifetime DLC.The Stardock plan is

•The base game (which will list for $49.99 when released)
•The future expansion packs (we current have 4 planned)
•All DLC (we plan to do around 6 the first year and 4 per year subsequently as long as there is interest)

I think you will save money in you're the type to buy on release day.

I don't even like GC that much due to the bland combat and mechanics,lol but I bought all the expansions last time.

[Numdydar]

So you were their target audience [:D]&nbsp;And it worked [&o]

[DevildogFF]

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76

I bought it for the lifetime DLC.The Stardock plan is

•The base game (which will list for $49.99 when released)
•The future expansion packs (we current have 4 planned)
•All DLC (we plan to do around 6 the first year and 4 per year subsequently as long as there is interest)

I think you will save money in you're the type to buy on release day.

I don't even like GC that much due to the bland combat and mechanics,lol but I bought all the expansions last time.

Yeah, considering how good GalCiv 2 was and how much I enjoyed Legendary Heroes (still play it), this is such a good deal that I couldn't possibly pass it up. Stardock is one of the few remaining fantastic game development companies and I was elated to support them.

[ricanuck]

ORIGINAL: TanC

Yep, another pass from me too. Since it's going to be on Steam I'll just wait for that 75% off for a fully patched up game + expansions. [:D] And DWU will be accompanying me all that time.

EXACTLY.

[DrApostle]

There are many times when I am playing a game and will often think there was a better way to do some aspect of it. The alpha edition of Galactic Civilizations III was designed to allow this feedback to go back to the developer. The only problem is that if you open that process up to everyone or even to the wrong people, then the final product is not what it could be. So offering a $99 Founder elite option is a great option because the price point serves as the gatekeeper to filter people.

So if you are complaining about a company using this tactic, you are not the target audience. I'm not either - I opted for the $39.99 discounted pre-order (no longer available). I thought about doing the Elite Founder, but I thought I would enjoy the game better upon the beta stage. I have never regretted any money I have paid Stardock. Even when I was disappointed for a moment when I purchased Fallen Enchantress, Stardock surpassed my expectations with two different expansions including my favorite Legendary Heroes. So I was tempted to become part of the alpha just so I could be some part of shaping the game. Unlike the philosophy surrounding this forum, Stardock has a great relationship with its fans and incorporates feedback it receives.

Yes, $99 is a barrier to entry for Stardock III for many of you. I agree. I also think that $84.96 is a barrier to entry as well. $84.96 is the cost for a new player to pick up a game you and I enjoy - Distant Worlds along with the current expansions.