Availability

[unmerged(164)]

Now that picture was really funny, 'a more fun for the whole family EU' just what the world needs frendlier wargames.

Graham...... missed your earlier reply. For some reason I was under the misconception apparently that SSG was bought out by the Microprose/SSI combonation and renamed Red Orb. Used to be that SSG distributed their product in the U.S. maube they inked a deal that shifted the distribution rights to SSI so they could get wider distribution and they let SSI lay down the CD's in production facilities here rather than shipping them over. Very interesting.

 

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Johan......are you going to create english language versions of the game in the initial run of the game?

 

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Dragon,

If I may .. I don't think so. Since the initial release of the game is in Sweden, I'd very much doubt the game would be in English. Infact I'm almost 100% sure it won't be in English

Sapura

 

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This makes me very sad......(No English version in the initial release)

I think this would be a good idea if Paradox is only distributing out of Scandanavia. It should not be that difficult to have a English version of the game should it since some of the playtesters are testing on a English version (correct?).

 

[unmerged(13)]

Correct, but you'll need to ask Johan this. Since he said there will only be a Swedish release to start off with .. and then possibly releases in other areas.

I don't know WHY EU is in english though. Since the beta test DID begin with only Swedish testers...

Sapura

 

[Doomdark]

Infact I'm almost 100% sure it won't be in English

You need to understand two things:

a) Sweden is a very 'anglified' country. Most Swedes read and speak English very well.

b) Swedish, while very similar to Danish and Norwegian, is different enough that EU would require support for those languages as well as Finnish; which is completely different.

We are not used to Swedish language editions, and I am not sure I would even like it myself.

Thus, I am pretty certain that there will be support for English in the Scandinavian release.

/Doomie

 

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Originally posted by Doomdark on 06-15-2000 11:00 AM
I am pretty certain that there will be support for English in the Scandinavian release.
/Doomie

I do agree, Sweden is basically bilingual. If you go there, you will see. I spend one year at Lund University and the few people not speaking English were mostly above 60 year old... Doesn't mean they don't like you to speak some swedish...
Language is a cost for company, so I don't see why EU would be in Swedish as an English version would open most of the European market with no cost of translation, when and if they find a distibutor...

So EU should logically be in English.

 

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Wow, didn't know english was so well known and spoken in the Swedish community!

More power to ye!

Sapura

 

[Gunnar]

I got to agree. I basically HATE swedish language in games. Some new titles even have swedish actors doing the voices. I'm disgusted . And I don't think I'm special either, it's probably just that the companies 'over there' don't realize it. The sad part is that they actually spend money (for the translations and actors) to make a product that the (swedish)consumers does't want.

As a note on the universities I spent three years at Mälardalens Högskola and we had one piece of litterature in swedish, the rest were in english .

And Sapura do you remember when you were to become a beta tester and were so sad because you didn't think you'd be able to read what we had posted in the beta-tester forum because 'it'd be all in swedish' .

/Gunnar

[This message has been edited by Gunnar (edited 15-06-2000).]

 

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Gunnar,


And Sapura do you remember when you were to become a beta tester and were so sad because you didn't think you'd be able to read what we had posted in the beta-tester forum because 'it'd be all in swedish' .

<LOL> You really know how to embarrass a chap Never speak of my pre-beta testing days, never!

I was sad about things in this order

1) No Poland in EU
2) Slim possibility of becoming a tester
3) Swedish language in forums.

There, you can all take a shot at me now

Sapura

 

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Just a thought. If this product is only marketed to Scandinavia how many units do you think it would sell? According to PC Gamer magazine, TOAW, from Talonsoft, sold about 1300 units. I don't know if that was US figures or worldwide. That was a game that appealed to grognards not your average computer game player.

My point is if that strategic historical wargames simulations are a niche market. This is not your average Warcraft game. You must sell to a greater area to reach more gamers. I would expect that the US/Europe/UK market would be the most promising for selling the most units.

Going back to my original questions, which were never really answered, how long after the Scandinavia release can we expect it to sold elsewhere? Will the game be available for purchase directly from the publisher/developer? What language will it be in and will there be others available?

 

[unmerged(13)]

Well, going on previous Paradox sales, from what I've been told..

Their previous game, Svea (something) sold 30,000 units. A hit is considered to be sales of 10,000.

EU should sell way more than 30.000 units, it deserves at least 40.000

Sapura

 

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Hi,

I'm another lurker who's hooked on this game... and it seems my first post is pretty off-topic...

Originally posted by Zagys on 06-15-2000 03:49 AM
I have this game called Clash of Steel by SSI, maybe some of you have heard of it. Although it does have some flaws, and is slightly out of date, it seems to be the only computer based strategic WW2 game worth playing. I have searched long and hard for a more modern one, but the only thing I could find is - big surprise - Hasbro's Axis & Allies.

I also own Clash of Steel and I've played it over and over again, simply beacuse there is no better alternative and CoS is quite good. Anyway, World in Flames The Computer Game should satisfy any WW2-gamers when it's released. It's supposed to be released in October, but the developers said the same thing two years ago so I won't set my hopes too high... Check www.a-d-g.com.au if interested.

Let us all hope Paradox is better than ADG in keeping release dates...

/AdMartin

P.S. Any Amiga PPC version of EU planned? No? Well, how about Linux PPC? No? Bummers, I'll have to go for the Athlon, then...

 

[unmerged(202)]

Originally posted by Sapura on 06-15-2000 01:57 PM
Well, going on previous Paradox sales, from what I've been told..

Their previous game, Svea (something) sold 30,000 units. A hit is considered to be sales of 10,000.

EU should sell way more than 30.000 units, it deserves at least 40.000

Sapura

Well, 'Svea Rike' (old Swedish name for Sweden, now it's called 'Sverige') was more of Axis & Allies set in a different age. And it was also marketed to schools because of the 'history lessons' that popped upp every once in a while. So the games aren't exactly comparable when it comes to expected sales.

BTW, Svea Rike was a Swedish release only, AFAIK.

/AdMartin

 

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AdMartin,

Is that right ...
Well, I'll just leave you with an extract from the first preview of this game. Take it how you like

..'I've used the word to excess to describe everything in this game from the economics to the combat resolution to the fact that the
game doesn't simply reward the most aggressive player with benefits for pointless conquest.

All of these things come together when I point out that teachers of history would be well advised to examine this game as
an educational tool as well. In the United States particularly, students of primary and secondary education come away with a 'who cares' response to history. With a tool like Europa Universalis, it's possible that not only could students learn a lot about a (generally) little-known time period, but it just may awaken a lifelong love of learning. Not bad for a game - potentially one of the best games I've ever seen. '..


There we are..

Sapura

[This message has been edited by Sapura (edited 15-06-2000).]

 

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Well hopefully WIF doesn't suffer the same computer fate as 3R and stink. The AI in 3rd Reich by Avalon hill stunk and it killed the game for the most part. Being a huge fan of the Board game this was most depressing.

English release....doesn't make much sense to have a non-english language if what all of you say is true. I can't imagine having a Scandanavian release that was really for Sweden only. Let's assume that Paradox makes the right decision on this.

 

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Sapura,

I first thought about (and started) writing a description of Svea Rike but I realized that was pretty pointless. The real point is that Svea Rike is a lot simpler and therefore attracts a wider public. So I wouldn't expect EU to be such a big commercial success as Svea Rike, unless Paradox can sign some good distribution deals outside of Scandinavia.


------------------

/AdMartin

 

[unmerged(13)]

Well, I think EU maybe another Civilization, given enough advertising and support of publishers outside of Scandinavia.

There are lots of factors that could contribute to its sales no.

In Japan at the moment there is an economic criss and video games sales / hardware is at an all time low. This can happen in Europe / Scandinavia.

Another is the distribution. If its world wide, then it will need an advertising campaign behind it. Otheriwse, whats the point of releasing the game all over the world (in stages) if it won't get the attention it deserves, apart from reviews in games magazines?

Sapura

 

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I would say that advertising per se isn't critical (I suspect that isn't being budgeted for at least not much). I would definately make sure the all the major publishers PC Gamer, Computer Gaming World ect. the biggies in Europe, get a copy to eval. A good review can definately carry alot of weight especially on a title that is somewhat obscure like EU will probably be (with a restricted release). This will not be a Civilization but it could be a game that is somewhat widely accepted with good reviews and clean code. A downloadable demo a month or so before planned release would be a good idea too if that is something that can be done. (7 years war scenario maybe?) Something short to wet the public's lips.

 

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Marketing and a good review is important, but as much as I hate to say this, advertising matters. I have not seen an ad for this game in any computer magazine in the US. Most games are marketed way before the release date to stimulate interest and create product recognition.

Not that that is necessarily a good thing, what with companies not meeting release dates or releasing buggy products, but getting the product information in front of consumers is vital to sales of products. I ran across the developement of this game on a fluke (an online preview), and I already knew about the board game. What about reaching those gamers whose interest are in this direction, but don't know about the board game?

If the company doesn't generate income early enough that can impinge on the amount of support they are able provide for the product and whether they will be able to follow up with other products, i.e. sequels.

Just some more (rambling?) thoughts on the subject.