Why is the Generals edition so expensive?

[Jh316]

I'm sure a lot of time was put into it, but the non-free content I don't imagine is a standalone game, but it costs more than one.

It seems like $35-40 would be reasonable for just added game content, not $70.

[Tyrson]

That's funny cause people don't seem to bat an eye when PS2, XBOX games are priced about the same.

[brador]

Don't forget about internet fees at $60/mth

[Jh316]

I have dialup. My fees are nowhere near $60 a month.

And I don't buy console games. I've never bought a game more than $50, because that's usually the price of a new game. And that $50 is for a full game, not content added to a pre-existing game. And don't say expansion packs, because I don't buy those either.

[Goblin]

Each of the Mega's contained in the General's Edition sold at $25 US each. Matrix gives you one free when you buy the GE. Each Mega was worth the $25 in game play and replayability, so the cost seems high, but is not for the content, Jh316, since it is not 1 game, but 4.


Goblin

[Tyrson]

Jh316 I'm sorry if it seemed I was being an ass, but I was making a general comment to your statement, ya $80 bucks is a fare chunk of change, and when you look at the core of the game being free it sure makes the Mega Campains look pricey. personnally I'd love to have every thing for a dollar..lol
This was not personal and before I stick my foot in my mouth any further, Welcome abaord. If your interested in some on-line play check out posts in Oppents Wanted.
T out

[Warrior]

ORIGINAL: Jh316

I'm sure a lot of time was put into it, but the non-free content I don't imagine is a standalone game, but it costs more than one.

It seems like $35-40 would be reasonable for just added game content, not $70.

It's a question of value. When I figure the hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of enjoyment I've gotten for my investments in this game, I figure the price is probably somewhat less than $.0001 per hour. I'm OK with that.

[Captain Cruft]

Simply put, in economic terms it's not expensive. They are just trying to a) get their money back for the work done and b) possibly make a bit of profit.

If an individual doesn't want to spend whatever amount to purchase whatever game then that's fine. I believe it's called consumer choice ...

--
I am tempted to construct a lengthy economic treatise here about the software industry (or IP-based businesses in general). However, I won't, largely because I am not competent to express it properly.

Suffice to say that I don't believe wargame publishers are ripping anyone off, due to the fact that the market is not big enough. If anything prices should be considerably higher.

[brador]

I wish I didn't have to pay that much, but up here in the great white north our options are limited. My wife likes cable[&o]

[Wild Bill]

JH,

Since you are new to the game, you are not aware of just what is included in this game. True, the game is free, with over 300 scenarios covering pre-WW2, WW2 and even beyond into Korea and Frech Indo-China. There are hundreds of maps that you can use for scenarios.

A full editor, with so many ways to create scenarios and campaigns and very realistic maps, is included. That alone represents thousands of hours of work.

But you are paying for four Mega-Campaigns, which originally sold for $25-25 each. You get four of them. Each of them includes dozens and dozens of battles. Mega Campaign Screaming Eagles, for example, is actually four campaigns in one. YOu can play it four times, once covering the action of each regiment of the 101st and never repeat a scenario.

In addition, each Mega Campaign is a full encyclopedia of information and pictures on the units covered, and so much more.

I have no way to estimate the thousands of hours spent in researching collating, editing and proofing everything included in each mega campaign.

You have North Africe - 1941, from Rommel's perspective. Then there is Lost Victories, a massive Mega Campaign, next Operation Watchtower, the Marines at Guadalcanal in 1942, and finally Mega Campaign-Screaming Eagles, which is briefly described above.

It would really take a long time, perhaps years, to play everything included in this game. Then there are the graphics, the history, the magnificent battle sounds.

Expensive? When you consider all that is included in the General's Edition, not at all. I work in an Electronics Store. I know the retail price of games. You can't buy a single decent game today for under $45. Only if you buy one that has aged and gone into a clearance bin can you beat that price.

But to be honest, this game is ageless. I've spent over 10 years working on this game and I still play it avidly and enjoy myself. Really, it never becomes antiquated. This is perhaps the best bargain around today for the WW2 wargamer who likes tactical battles, with squad level units, single vehicles, artillery, air support, etc, etc.

The thousands who have purchased it are pleased. You would be too. It is a good investment.

Wild Bill

[Riun T]

Hey brador I 'm in saskatoon Where you postin from??RT

[Jh316]

Well, I'll look into buying it sometime. I've only been playing for about 3 days and it's already one of my favorite games. I'm going to have to cancel my World of Warcraft subscription at this rate.

[Wild Bill]

I really don't think you'll be disappointed at all. This is a good long-term investment into many, many hours of enjoyable wargaming.

WB

[JEB Davis]

I'm a relative noob (playing solo about a month). I can see myself inexorably being draw to purchase the Gen's Ed, regardless of its price. SPWaW is the best game I've ever bought (even though it's free), and the price seems well worth it to me.

[Captain Cruft]

SP does have superb longevity - I have been playing for about 4 years now on and off. There are things that will come to annoy you as you get more experienced but compared to most other games I have tried they are minor.

[parusski]

A person can always stick with the free version. But it is a great value with all the mega campaigns, the encyclopedia and the full editor. I for one would have paid $50 bucks for SPWAW alone(been saying that for years). So for those of us who have been taking advantage of one heck of a free game buying The Generals edition was one way to compensate those for all their years of tireless work.

[IBTyrone]

ORIGINAL: Jh316

Well, I'll look into buying it sometime. I've only been playing for about 3 days and it's already one of my favorite games. I'm going to have to cancel my World of Warcraft subscription at this rate.

Glad to hear it, JH. My purchase of the General's Edition was a vote for supporting the FREE product, rather than considering it as a purchase of gaming software. I didn't buy any of the megacampaigns when they were sold individually cause I thought all the scenarios and campaigns that came with the game was more than enjoyable enough (which is still true), but as I played the game more and more I felt that I needed to purchase General's Edition simply to support the product. I also support the Depot for the same reason. I use it, so I support it.

I've had General's Edition for over a year and have only played the first scenario of Desert Fox. That's it. I'm still too busy with all the other aspects of the game (playing and designing scenarios and campaigns) to play the MCs. I'll get to them someday. No worries.

I hope you stick with SPWAW with or without the General's Edition, JH. It really is a classic game, worthy of the space on any hard drive.

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: Jh316

Well, I'll look into buying it sometime. I've only been playing for about 3 days and it's already one of my favorite games. I'm going to have to cancel my World of Warcraft subscription at this rate.

Joey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is not just the game, and the years of improvements on the game, nor the several "megs", nor even the editor included..
Joey............YOU GET US !!!!!!!!!!!![:D]

[Jh316]

...Eh?

[Goblin]

Meds reminder, m10bob...[;)]


Goblin