Pre-Purchase content is a joke

[wielkiciensteam]

Okay, I know I will be hated right now. You can like the content that Paradox decided to "give" you with pre-order. I don't, I think that this is a joke. Not funny joke.

Let's see, for 39,99 we get:
1. game
2. 5 species (animations+description)
3. forum avatar (yes, I know it is Blorg so it is great....)
4. your name into space... I will not even comment on that.
5. music and ringtones

But okay, this is pre-order, you are paying for the game and then we give you some free stuff. Sure, I can take it. But what do we get next?

For 49,99 we get:
1. game with pre-order bonuses (-39,99)
So for 10,00 we get:
2. Digital soundtrack
3. Forum icon
4. One alien specie.

Seriously Paradox? Seriously? Let's calculate it:

39,99 = game+5species+avatar+music
49,99 = game+5species+avatar+soundtrack+icon+specie

So this means: 39,99: game+5x+y+z 49,99: game+6x+2y+2z

AND "z" you buy already with game! You have the soundtrack! During your play and probably in the game files! (Yea I know about bonus tracks, there will be like 5 of it. Maybe little more, but look at music DLC's Paradox gives you for EU4. Their price is 2,99 at release). So for 10,00 you get 1 specie, 1 graphic and some "unique" tracks.


But, but, but! There is 69,99 version!

You get:
1. game with pre-order bonuses (-39,99)
2. Everything from Nova Edition, except icon (-10,00)
So for 20,00 you get:
3. Digital Collectors Book
4. E-book
5. Avatar
6. Icon
7. Signed desktop wallpaper (this must be joke)

Let's calculate:
For 20,00 you get: 2 digital books, 3 graphics.

So finally all this means:
39,99: game+5x+y+z 49,99: game+6x+2y+2z 69,99: game+6x+4y+2z+2r

Where:
game is game
x is specie
y is graphic (forum icon, forum avatar, wallpaper)
z is music (soundtrack and ringtones)
r is book

And let's say this: doing a specie and graphic isn't so much work. Especially forum icons and avatars. Soundtrack needs much attention but Paradox offers only few extra tracks (dunno how many, maybe 3, maybe 5) and lots of redone tracks (remixes, etc). Books however needs much attention but: artbook is something that is always done when making a game. You just put some screenshots and concept arts, write few lines of commentary below and you have artbook. Other book is digital novel that wasn't written by any on the devs, so they put no effort into this.

Now, we all love you Paradox, we all want you to do as best games as you can and we are willing to pay whatever you desire for your work. I just have constant feeling that you are trying to get all of our money giving nothing in exchange. Well, sure, signed wallpaper is fantastic! I always needed it. For 20,00.

What is my point exactly? Just look at other studios pre-order policy. Like CDP Red. They make absolutely different games than you, that's for sure. But from them I can freely buy most expensive edition and I know that I won't regret it.

Of course - you who will comment in a few moments - I don't have to buy upgraded editions ! I don't! I'm free, right? Sure I am. I was just so f.... hyped for Stellaris (still am!) and I wanted to buy best edition possible! Now I see which is the best option. I hope that my calculation helped someone.


EDIT: I just wanted to say two more things. First:

Congratulations to people who didn't even bother to completely read my post. Comments that I shouldn't whine and buy version that I like were clearly out of place. Next time do spend 2 minutes on reading someone's post before writing stupid comments.

Second:
My post wasn't about Paradox being bad dev. No. It was about their's policy of publishing games. That accusation was present before - iirc - every game/dlc they were publishing since CK2. Remeber Common Sense in EU4?
Paradox wants incredible amount of money for almost nothing. Just as I stated. Argument that higher priced editions are like tips and donations for dev is... stupid.

I wanted also to make some quick version of my post, but REDDQ did it:
He said that content is a joke, he made convincing case that it is true, he admitted that he is free to buy the cheapest version but he wanted to buy premium one to support devs but there is really no incentive to do so and now we have influx of people saying "yo, don't buy the most expensive one" anyway.

 

[13Foxtrot]

Buy the best edition for you. That answer is different for other people.

 

[Bragi]

Well, I am not saying that you are wrong, but since it is so totally free, optional and not mandatory.. well don't buy it and combine your content material later on or don't.

 

[Amightypie]

I'm not sure what the issue is if you don't want the other stuff buy the basic version? its only portraits

if you think the higher editions are worth your time/money then buy them if you think their not don't. they are not game changing at all.

I'm still don't get why people are so against pre-orders but ahwell (not having a go at op just my thought on the debate on pre-orders)

 

[Robhol]

I was about to say "just don't buy the most expensive version then". But you yourself acknowledge that you can buy the cheaper one in your own post. So I'm a little confused what the actual problem is here.

 

[apoc527]

Just gonna point out that MOST new releases are $59.99. Stellaris is actually fairly inexpensive by AAA standards. $39.99 for base game is a deal. Even $49.99 for the "Nova" edition is a steal. Ultimately, the Galaxy-edition is just $9.99 more than the normal price of most major releases.

And, just because you predicted it, I'll say that nobody is forcing you to buy the higher priced pre-orders. ;-)

 

[Dani500]

I agree that the 10 euro for 1 extra race is to much, at least for me. Il get the 40 euro one.

 

[Abayonett]

Good thing no one is pointing a gun to your head forcing you to purchase it, eh?

 

[chassepatrick]

Then don't pre-order... If people want to pay for it let them

 

[MylesSCP]

I was about to say "just don't buy the most expensive version then". But you yourself acknowledge that you can buy the cheaper one in your own post. So I'm a little confused what the actual problem is here.

It appears that he's upset that the more expensive preorder options aren't worth it to him. Really that's all I get from it.

 

[PlacidDragon]

Well, there are 3 options to choose from, cheap, intermediate, and expensive (roughly speaking).

Is the expensive variant worth the money ? On its own, no. But i want to support Paradox, so for me, its worth it. If you get the cheapest version, we'll still be playing the exact same game (only difference was what, a race ?), the rest is just "fluff".

 

[Elderotter]

I'm not sure what the issue is if you don't want the other stuff buy the basic version? its only portraits

if you think the higher editions are worth your time/money then buy them if you think their not don't. they are not game changing at all.

I'm still don't get why people are so against pre-orders but ahwell

I bought the standard. I bought it without looking at what you get for it and the others. I bought it because I wanted the game at a price I could afford. So, seeing there actually was a bonus for the standard(I count the Creatures of the Void only) I was happy. The bonuses didn't affect my decision at all. I didn't expect to see much if anything. I'm just happy to be able to preorder it. I guess it takes less to make me happy than others.

 

[Kirkegaard]

All pre-orders for games are a joke anyway, and if Paradox gave any real good stuff with it. It would result in massive bad publicity among the rather large group of PC-players that hate the pre-order culture among big game companies, witch Paradox slowly are moving towards in both size and (bad) business practice.

 

[Murmeldjuret]

Originally collectors editions came in fancier boxes full of some extra items. With the boxes phased out they have to have digital stuff instead. The collector edition never was about getting a better deal, it was about getting collectables and supporting the developer. The collectable thing has been partly phased out as pdf is not as collectable as a booklet. I will buy Galaxy edition because I want this game to be a success. I have preordered paradox games before and they have yet to fail in delivering my moneys worth of game for the expensive version. There is a cheaper version, but I still buy the more expensive one because it is still worth it, and I support the developer.

 

[Simaimch]

Now, we all love you Paradox, we all want you to do as best games as you can and we are willing to pay whatever you desire for your work. I just have constant feeling that you are trying to get all of our money giving nothing in exchange.

I was just about to say something, but thankfully you thought of my answer yourself:

Of course - you who will comment in a few moments - I don't have to buy upgraded editions ! I don't! I'm free, right? Sure I am. I was just so f.... hyped for Stellaris (still am!) and I wanted to buy best edition possible!

That's how the world works. Paradox is a company and needs to earn money. Because (Spoiler alert!) it has to pay it employees, rent, license fees, etc. And the owners (when is the IPO, I'd like to buy shares) would like to see some ROI, or they might invest somewhere else.

There are some times when you can't have everything. Buying Stellaris might be a good training for everybody who wants to buy a car in the future. Cars have tons of expensive nice-to-have features and unchecking them at the list is also annoying. But that's a part of life.

 

[Sapidianus]

If you are struggling and 20 euro is a lot of money for you then dont pre-order. Whining that extra art pieces for the game are expensive is stupid: pre-order bonuses do not affect gameplay, you arent forced to buy them, they are here for people who earn enough and want to support paradox.

 

[shihongyi88]

If you don't think it's worth it then don't buy it. Why do you care what other people spend their money on?

 

[Zaku]

Okay, I know I will be hated right now. You can like the content that Paradox decided to "give" you with pre-order. I don't, I think that this is a joke. Not funny joke.

Let's see, for 39,99 we get:
1. game
2. 5 species (animations+description)
3. forum avatar (yes, I know it is Blorg so it is great....)
4. your name into space... I will not even comment on that.
5. music and ringtones

But okay, this is pre-order, you are paying for the game and then we give you some free stuff. Sure, I can take it. But what do we get next?

For 49,99 we get:
1. game with pre-order bonuses (-39,99)
So for 10,00 we get:
2. Digital soundtrack
3. Forum icon
4. One alien specie.

Seriously Paradox? Seriously? Let's calculate it:

39,99 = game+5species+avatar+music
49,99 = game+5species+avatar+soundtrack+icon+specie

So this means: 39,99: game+5x+y+z 49,99: game+6x+2y+2z

AND "z" you buy already with game! You have the soundtrack! During your play and probably in the game files! (Yea I know about bonus tracks, there will be like 5 of it. Maybe little more, but look at music DLC's Paradox gives you for EU4. Their price is 2,99 at release). So for 10,00 you get 1 specie, 1 graphic and some "unique" tracks.


But, but, but! There is 69,99 version!

You get:
1. game with pre-order bonuses (-39,99)
2. Everything from Nova Edition, except icon (-10,00)
So for 20,00 you get:
3. Digital Collectors Book
4. E-book
5. Avatar
6. Icon
7. Signed desktop wallpaper (this must be joke)

Let's calculate:
For 20,00 you get: 2 digital books, 3 graphics.

So finally all this means:
39,99: game+5x+y+z 49,99: game+6x+2y+2z 69,99: game+6x+4y+2z+2r

Where:
game is game
x is specie
y is graphic (forum icon, forum avatar, wallpaper)
z is music (soundtrack and ringtones)
r is book

And let's say this: doing a specie and graphic isn't so much work. Especially forum icons and avatars. Soundtrack needs much attention but Paradox offers only few extra tracks (dunno how many, maybe 3, maybe 5) and lots of redone tracks (remixes, etc). Books however needs much attention but: artbook is something that is always done when making a game. You just put some screenshots and concept arts, write few lines of commentary below and you have artbook. Other book is digital novel that wasn't written by any on the devs, so they put no effort into this.

Now, we all love you Paradox, we all want you to do as best games as you can and we are willing to pay whatever you desire for your work. I just have constant feeling that you are trying to get all of our money giving nothing in exchange. Well, sure, signed wallpaper is fantastic! I always needed it. For 20,00.

What is my point exactly? Just look at other studios pre-order policy. Like CDP Red. They make absolutely different games than you, that's for sure. But from them I can freely buy most expensive edition and I know that I won't regret it.

Of course - you who will comment in a few moments - I don't have to buy upgraded editions ! I don't! I'm free, right? Sure I am. I was just so f.... hyped for Stellaris (still am!) and I wanted to buy best edition possible! Now I see which is the best option. I hope that my calculation helped someone.

If you don't need the extra content maybe buy the base edition ?
40 bucks for a video game is VERY cheap.
Any other AAA developer would sell the base version for 50-60 Euros.

Seriously, people cry for no reason sometimes...

 

[REDDQ]

I was about to say "just don't buy the most expensive version then". But you yourself acknowledge that you can buy the cheaper one in your own post. So I'm a little confused what the actual problem is here.

He said that content is a joke, he made convincing case that it is true, he admitted that he is free to buy the cheapest version but he wanted to buy premium one to support devs but there is really no incentive to do so and now we have influx of people saying "yo, don't buy the most expensive one" anyway.

/thread

 

[Robhol]

It's about the same you pay and get for any collector's edition, still don't see what the problem is. They're never "worth it", it's just a way of showing that you're some kind of crazy obsessive fan to other crazy obsessive fans.