Digital Download and Retail Release Info

[Erik Rutins]

Hello everyone,

Just a quick post on this, since I've seen a few questions.

First, Gary Grigsby's World At War is a worldwide retail release. We expect excellent distribution in North America and very good distribution elsewhere. It is important for both Matrix and 2 by 3 that the retail stores see this as a successful release for them, it could open more doors in the future that will allow us to bring you more games of this type to the mainstream stores.

With that in mind, we don't want to ignore our online customers who enjoy the digital download option. We've decided, in conjunction with our partners, on the following plan for a successful retail release while keeping the download option.

The digital download will be available on the same day as the store release date, which will be announced soon. The digital download will be sold at the same price as the retail version: $39.99. In fact, we expect that some stores will have specials that will allow you to get the boxed version with the printed manual for less than that, but that's the suggested price.

The download will not have a "game on demand" or "box on demand" option as we've put those production efforts into the retail box. You will be able to order the retail boxed version, but there may be a delay before that's available through our store, whereas it will be available immediately through the normal retail stores.

This keeps the digital download option for our customers who prefer it or who don't have retail stores in their country or county that carry the title (though with this release. that should not be many), however please understand that this has been planned as a retail release from the beginning and that is the focus of our effort. If you are able, I would personally get the retail boxed copy as it should be the same price with a nice box and a printed manual (as well as having the same files on the CD that you get with the digital download).

In this case, you will probably be able to pick it up at a local store or have it shipped to you the same day as the digital download becomes available, so there will be no early access difference.

Regards,

- Erik

[hiroller]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... e&n=507846

Is this the same game?

[Paul Vebber]

Yes, but note its not listed as available for 1-2 weeks...

[HardRock]

and USUALLY 1-2 weeks at that.

Usually = retail way of saying you can't hold me to anything.

I say let him go buy it there:)

[dragon_sun]

I'd love to see the "used" copy[:D]

[targul]

I'd love to see the "used" copy

There will be plenty of used copies available on day two after the release. Everyone will sell there copy on Ebay or Amazon after they have downloaded it.

Nothing wrong with the disk or book. You just have to wait for the mail and end of listing unless it has a cheap buy it now. Game will probably go for $5 to $10 and will be like brand new.

Matrix is so foolish. With the DD they got full retail for each and every copy now they will get half of normal and less then half since the retailers and distributors will want some profit also.

I had always done the DD but this time I can be patient and buy it for less then $10 since they made me wait about a month more then needed anyway what is another month.

I picked up HOI2 during this time and it is a good game. BTW, the have gone to DD so you can get there games like you used to be able to get these.

[Reverberate]

ORIGINAL: targul
Nothing wrong with the disk or book. You just have to wait for the mail and end of listing unless it has a cheap buy it now. Game will probably go for $5 to $10 and will be like brand new.

Why do you think WAW will be so cheap so fast? Now I could see an RTS piece of crap like HOI2 devaluing like that.............

[ratprince]

What Targul is implying is that people will copy the game and then sell it. Ya know, illegal copyright infringement? [:-][X(][8|]

Usually people that think this way are the very pirates themselves.....[&:]

You seem very agitated Targul. Maybe a break from cynicism and negativity is needed? Sound about right?

If you feel comfortable buying pirated illegal software, that is your perogative. Good luck.

(hmmm....remember all of those FBI warnings on the beginings of movie tapes and dvds..? Gosh, I wonder what that means??? [;)])

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: mike mcmann
If you feel comfortable buying pirated illegal software, that is your perogative. Good luck.

(hmmm....remember all of those FBI warnings on the beginings of movie tapes and dvds..? Gosh, I wonder what that means??? [;)])

[:D]Aaaaaa.... How blissful was the ignorance of youth[:)]. To dream, perchance to sleep, aye...there's the rub[;)].

[Paul Vebber]

There will be plenty of used copies available on day two after the release. Everyone will sell there copy on Ebay or Amazon after they have downloaded it.

Interesting that a search of ebay yields next to nobody doing that for any other DD titles...

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: mike mcmann

What Targul is implying is that people will copy the game and then sell it. Ya know, illegal copyright infringement? [:-][X(][8|]

Usually people that think this way are the very pirates themselves.....[&:]

You seem very agitated Targul. Maybe a break from cynicism and negativity is needed? Sound about right?

If you feel comfortable buying pirated illegal software, that is your perogative. Good luck.

(hmmm....remember all of those FBI warnings on the beginings of movie tapes and dvds..? Gosh, I wonder what that means??? [;)])

Reminds me of the "Video Pirates" segment in the movie "Amaazon Women on the Moon" [:D]

[rhondabrwn]

There will be plenty of used copies available on day two after the release. Everyone will sell there copy on Ebay or Amazon after they have downloaded it.

I think the track record for Matrix downloaders NOT putting their downloaded games out for pirates is very good. I remember a thread where someone commented that it was virtually impossible to find a WiTP serial # posted anywhere.

Obviously, piracy merely bites the hand that feeds us and serves no good purpose if we want to see more great Matrix Games being brought to market.

Matrix is also my exception to waiting for the bargain bin availability. I've DD'd almost all their new releases for the past year.

[targul]

Well you are wrong. I have never pirated a game in my life. But I will buy copies from Ebay and Amazon when they come in there boxes and with the books. These are not pirated they are simply the games people get rid of. Happens everyday.

As to the value of this game after its release I have no idea. I have bought hundreds maybe thousands of titles. Most of them get played once and then I consider them trash.

You should not assume something is illegal just because it is cheap.

This game may or may not be good I have no idea. I am quite upset with Matrix and their policy with this release. I will not buy it retail because of this. I do not want them to make a cent from me for this title. That is why I will buy a used copy.

I have been watching this game since October and was anxious to get it but I have lost the interest because of the way this was handled. If customers tolerate bad service they get bad service.

I would have gladly paid for this game in Oct to have it sent to me as soon as it was printed but that was not offered. When SPI was alive I used to prebuy every title they made of the monster games. They would ship when they were ready (normally a couple years) but they NEVER told there regular customers they had to wait until after it was on the retail shelf before they could buy it.

Yes, I am old and I demand good service. I will accept nothing less.

ORIGINAL: mike mcmann

What Targul is implying is that people will copy the game and then sell it. Ya know, illegal copyright infringement? [:-][X(][8|]

Usually people that think this way are the very pirates themselves.....[&:]

You seem very agitated Targul. Maybe a break from cynicism and negativity is needed? Sound about right?

If you feel comfortable buying pirated illegal software, that is your perogative. Good luck.

(hmmm....remember all of those FBI warnings on the beginings of movie tapes and dvds..? Gosh, I wonder what that means??? [;)])

[Spartan07]

Good Luck Targul. Hope you get that copy and save yourself a whole 10 dollars. Meanwhile we will be playing:)

[Erik Rutins]

Just to update you all, my best estimate is that the download will be up and ready for purchase around 11AM. This is not a firm promise, it's my best estimate. All the preparations have already been done, but there can at times be unexpected delays in actually "going live". Hopefully, all will go smoothly and without issue.

Regards,

- Erik

[vlale]

Thx for the updates Erik.

Crossing finger for no last minut glicthes.


Kind regards,


Rasmus

[Bluestew0]

I hope Matrix has a big pipe for their presence on the internet. I suspect they will get pounded for DD requests this morning.

[Erik Rutins]

We have a VERY BIG pipe for this. There should not be any bandwidth issues related to the bandwidth on our end.

Regards,

- Erik

[Toby42]

Is Targul for Real??? Sheesh, it's just a game!!!!

[Bluestew0]

Erik, you weren't kidding. I got 1.17mb/sec on my download....screaming fast! Hard to find fault downloading 463mb in 5 minutes.