What exactly is cheaper with Season Pass? (official answer would be much appreciated)

[Kubusta]

Can somebody explain to me what exactly do you get cheaper with SP if you buy it/pre-order?
Let me do the simple math here: Basic edition: 40 euros; Field Marshal edition: 90 euros
Field Marshal edition has theExpansion Pass which includes the first 2 expansion and it’s related content, to an estimated value of $49.99.

Let's say that average price of DLC (based on my knowledge of EU IV) is 20euro and cosmetic for 5euro.
It means that these 2 DLCs are both for 40 euros and the cosmetcis for like 10. = 50.

Basic edition (40) + DLCs (50) = 90 euros.

So it seems to me that the only thing that Field Marchal edition gives you are some cosmetics and forum icons, but you pay the same amount for the DLCs NOW as you would pay for them if you bought them later on.
On the stream though Dan has told that SP makes you to pay less than if you buy DLCs in the future.
However, based on my math there and by the Statement on Steam HOI IV page (estimated value of 2 DLCs = $49.99), it does not seem that anything is cheaper, therefore there would be no reason to pre-order the edition, only if you wanted the extra forum icons..
Can somebody make this clear for me? What is on this edition CHEAPER? How does this SP make you pay less?

(btw I am not writing this because I don't agree with these editions and such. Actually I like the idea of SP in HOI IV but I am very confused about its advantage)

Thanks in advance

 

[sgt.stickybomb]

Just one clarification, it is a Expansion pass and not a season pass. So it is not time limited, you will get free 2 MAJOR dlcs and related content as long as PDX continues producing them. Chances are you will get your money's worth 2 DLCs in if they are priced as they are in EU IV.

 

[Kubusta]

Just one clarification, it is a Expansion pass and not a season pass. So it is not time limited, you will get free* MAJOR dlcs as long as PDX continues producing them. Chances are you will get your money's worth 2 - 3 DLCs in if they release as many dlcs as they did in EU IV.

oh okay. Expansion pass. But this EP is just for TWO DLCs, right? in a value of 50 euros

 

[Maizel]

oh okay. Expansion pass. But this EP is just for TWO DLCs, right? in a value of 50 euros

It is for the first 2 DLC.

It also comes with the related content, which I assume is cosmetics and music DLC.

I don;t think you'd actually save very much. I am guessing you'll actually pay more if you only ever get the big expansions and none of the music/cosmetic stuff.

In any case, you wont save enough to throw 50 bucks towards DLC you know nothing about.

 

[Denkt]

You get everything from the Colonel edition which is priced at 49.99, quite a few extra stuff and a Expansion pass worth an estimated 49.99. As your math show this edition cost about the same as the Cadet edition + the same amount of money spent on DLC as the expansion pass is estimated value is at.

So in terms of content the Field Marshal edition probably have the best value.

 

[sgt.stickybomb]

oh okay. Expansion pass. But this EP is just for TWO DLCs, right? in a value of 50 euros

Yes, it is for 2 expansion and their related content (so skin packs, music etc) Paradox claims their value will be 50 dollars.

 

[Kubusta]

You get everything from the Colonel edition which is priced at 49.99, quite a few extra stuff and a Expansion pass worth an estimated 49.99. As your math show this edition cost about the same as the Cadet edition + the same amount of money spent on DLC as the expansion pass is estimated value is at.

So in terms of content the Field Marshal edition probably have the best value.

Okay, but let's say that I don't want cosmetics that much. Is it cheaper to buy the FM edition to get the Pass or to wait for DLCs and buy it separate?(and now to get just the Basic edition) Because if the upcoming 2 dlcs are each +-25 euros, I won't save anything if I buy it now, right. (I will pay the same amount anyway, right?)

 

[Kubusta]

Yes, it is for 2 expansion and their related content (so skin packs, music etc) Paradox claims their value will be 50 dollars.

So you think that the given value is for 2 major expansion (so let's say 25 euros EACH) and then all minor DLCs are for free?

 

[LordOfWar16]

Let's say that average price of DLC (based on my knowledge of EU IV) is 20euro and cosmetic for 5euro.
It means that these 2 DLCs are both for 40 euros and the cosmetcis for like 10. = 50.

Basic edition (40) + DLCs (50) = 90 euros.

You are ignoring the 7 skin packs plus the cruiser skin pack in your calculation tho. You basicly have to use the 49,99€ edition as your base, which effecitively means that if the dlcs are 50€ in value you safe 10€.

 

[Denkt]

One advantage season pass have is that it give the developers a guarantee that the DLC will atleast sell in a reasonable profitable number, the same could be said about pre orders. Low risks tend to mean low prices (which you can see on many places such as banks) so it is not necessarily a loss for the consumer either.

 

[sgt.stickybomb]

So you think that the given value is for 2 major expansion (so let's say 25 euros EACH) and then all minor DLCs are for free?

Paradox estiamtes the value of the next 2 dlcs and related contet to be around 50

So I guess the 2 DLCs will cost around $20 each, their related content will cost around $10 each. but you get them all free with the expansion pass.

 

[Hiiri]

One advantage season pass have is that it give the developers a guarantee that the DLC will atleast sell in a reasonable profitable number,

Regardless of quality, yes

 

[AlfredMV]

If you don't want cosmetic and music dlc, the 90$ edition will not save you money, you should stick with the 40 and buy the expansions which will likely be 15$ each plus 6$ cosmetic and 6$ music = 27$. Ignoring cosmetics and music you'll only pay 70 total.

 

[Denkt]

Regardless of quality, yes

Good quality is important to maintain long term profitability.

 

[sgt.stickybomb]

One advantage season pass have is that it give the developers a guarantee that the DLC will atleast sell in a reasonable profitable number, the same could be said about pre orders. Low risks tend to mean low prices (which you can see on many places such as banks) so it is not necessarily a loss for the consumer either.

With preorder you at least see a bit of the game before you place an order. with this expansion pass, we don't know anything about the upcoming expansions.

 

[Kubusta]

Further clarification of the Expansion pass would be appreciated.
I agree with @LordOfWar16 that I could count that I spare 10E on the cosmetic tank/ship pack, but all in all it seems that that's it, if we don't know whether the estimated price is just for 2 major DLCs or for all DLCs, including minors, together.

 

[LordOfWar16]

Further clarification of the Expansion pass would be appreciated.
I agree with @LordOfWar16 that I could count that I spare 10E on the cosmetic tank/ship pack, but all in all it seems that that's it, if we don't know whether the estimated price is just for 2 major DLCs or for all DLCs, including minors, together.

It states "Includes the first 2 expansion and it’s related content, to an estimated value of $49.99". For me that is pretty clear. It counts for the first 2 expansions including their content packs. As with EUIV the expansion packs most likely come with a optional "content pack" including additional 2d/3d art, music etc. related to the Expansion.

For example: EUIV: The Cossacks costs 19,99€ and comes with an optional EUIV: The Cossacks Content Pack for 7,99€.


Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks Content Pack includes three new unit packs and a fort pack as part of the Cossacks expansion.

The Content pack includes:

• Black Sea Unit Pack: This unit pack adds 32 new unit models for Zaporozhie, Crimea, Circassia and Theodoro.
• Great Hordes Unit Pack: This unit pack adds 32 new unit models for Timurids, Golden Horde, Nogai and Uzbek.
• European Cavalry Unit Pack: This unit pack adds 12 new unit models for European cavalry, including France, Spain and Britain.
• Fort Pack: This pack adds 18 new models for Western, Muslim, Asian, Indian, African South and North American forts.

 

[Taihou]

Just a quick look at all 3 versions

Cadet: 39.99 (I think Euro is 39.99 Euro and US is 39.99 USD)
Base Game
Pre-Order Bonus: Music Packs and Game Book

Colonel:
Cadet Items and
3D models (since sprite is 2D) + Wall Paper + Forum Icon
for extra 10 bucks (in corresponding currency)

Field Marshal:
Colonel Items and
Extra Forum Icon + Forum Avatar + Art Book (only in the steam picture but not description) + Expansion Pass for 2 expansions and related contents
for extra 40 bucks

I would value the icon and avatar at $0 since they aren't really important for 99.9% of players.
For Art Book, I would make it $0 for the sake of easy calculation as it might worth some to some people and none for some other players.
So, you basically pay the 40 bucks for 2 expansions.

Using EU4 expansion prices to estimate, we will pay about 15-20 for a single expansion. Therefore, in the worst case scenario that Paradox releases only 2 $15 expansions, you will be at a loss. However, since Paradox said that the pass will worth $40, they will likely to make up for the value by releasing additional 'related content' to hit the 40 dollar mark (otherwise Internet will complain, a lot )

So to decide if the $40 will be worthy, it is pretty much betting on how much stuff Paradox will be put into the pass.
In the wurst case that Paradox releases stuff worth $40 or a little bit more. You might lose the time value of money on the $40 a little bit and it is no way significant if you can afford it. Plus the 'a little bit more related stuff' and the art book might just make up for the money.
Therefore, I would say that it is rather safe to do it as long as you will be pretty sure that you will be playing the 2 expansions. The only chance for you to really lose significantly is the possibility that Paradox doesn't allocate enough stuff (in terms of how much those worth to you not market price) into the pass AND/OR the first two expansions are so bad that you would not value them anyway near $15

Snipe Edit: Also I assume that you consider the extra stuff in colonel pack well worth the 10 bucks. So it is a 'whether I should buy Field Marshal edition' situation

EDIT2: Since they estimate the expansions and stuff at $50, it is more likely to be a worthy buy as long as you trust Paradox enough about them not screwing up expansions.

EDIT3: You might be able to get a sale (from key resellers before launch or more 'official' post-launch sale). You can also wait for that and hope it makes the overall price cheaper vs the $10 discount from the pass.

 

[LordOfWar16]

The case where you will definatly not save any money is if you dont care for cosmetic or music packs in the first place. If you do care for those however, you probably wont do anything wrong.

@Taihou They estimate the Expansions at 50$, not 40$

 

[Taihou]

The case where you will definatly not save any money is if you dont care for cosmetic or music packs in the first place. If you do care for those however, you probably wont do anything wrong.

@Taihou They estimate the Expansions at 50$, not 40$

Oops, my bad.