Dominions3 shattered previous pre-order records

[NTJedi]

Looks like this game is off to a great start. I'd recommend spreading the word to increase sales because the more sales the greater chances for expansions and sequels.
Even posts on other TBS game forums where you compare Dominions_2 with the other TBS game will be a legit topic and include a link to the Dominions_2 demo if possible. The demo is what got me hooked... hopefully the Dominions_3 demo will allow a dozen extra turns which really helps to hook people.

I'm eager to see the Dominions_3 demo. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Wow and I havent even ordered mine yet.
Lets see, I need 5 copies I think.

[Argitoth]

Gandalf Parker said:Lets see, I need 5


uh... 1 isn't enough for you? OOKAAAEEE http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

I'm ordering mine this saturday.

[Nerfix]

Oh my my my my my.

[Daynarr]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif I guess he buys one for each finger on his right arm. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif
Wonder what will happen when he remembers he has left hand as well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Salamander8]

I just got Dominions 2 two weeks ago and had to pre-order this new version when I heard about it after playing the heck out of Dominions 2 already! My normal MMO friends were asking me where I have been lately. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

And I also heard that SE5 is coming out soon too? That will be two addictive games in a short time-frame. May have to save some vacation time! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[DominionsFan]

Well, Dominions is too hardcore for a strategy game to sell really good. I wasnt able to convince most of my friends to buy the game, they were complaining about the graphics, and that the multiplayer part is too "slow". The game is also complicated compared to the other strategy titles.
I think Dominions is an excellent choice for hardcore strategy players, and average player will be scared from it.

[Gandalf Parker]

Well when my "left hand" fingers all gets their own machines then I guess I will get them all copies of the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif For now, all I have to worry about are the machines on my lan. I could get along with 4 since the linux server only hosts and doesnt really need its own serial code.

But then I have friends who pester me to death to "borrow" the game till they can buy it. After a couple years of saying no I finally trusted one. I deleted the desktop icon till he kept his word but I finally ended up re-buying it to get the house back up to full gaming. This time I will just get an extra (and demand a profit)

Gandalf Parker
--
Get a life? No thanks. Just had one.
Im retired now and get to play games all day.
(envy me)

[Terl]

Hey, just to let you all know, word of mouth works. I have seen Gandalf Parker's posts in other tbs forums and that is what got me over here to buy DOM2. I loved it so much, I pre-ordered Dom3 a day or so after the announcement http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Thanks for the acknowledgment.
I partially agree that Dom about Dom's sales niche. At least as far as Dom 1 and Dom 2. I felt it was best pitched on gaming forums to serious gamers, and even then I stressed to get the demo and try it first.

Whether or not Dom 3 is in the same category will depend on the user interface and the demo. Will have to wait and see.

Hmmm I just checked the "Gandalf's Toys bought online" credit card. Looks like I will have to space out my Dom purchases over a couple months http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I hope I can get them in before SE-V is released.

[Annette]

Word of mouth is absolutely the best endorsement a game can be given. Thank you to all of you who spread the word about Dominions!

[DominionsFan]

Annette, perhaps Shrapnel or Illwinter should contact online gaming mags about Dominions 3, to post articles about it. Gamespy, IGN etc.

[Annette]

GameSpy and IGN haven't been posting much news about independent pc games recently (search their news archives for March '06 and be prepared to be surprised), but they both have put up pages for Dominions 3. You may be interested to search "Dominions 3 The Awakening" on Google. That will show you most of the online mags that have posted articles already.

[Richard]

And to confirm Annette's statement I have talked to the editor of Gamespy before and he indeed told me that they can only put stories up for the largest stories in their view.

[Gandalf Parker]

We should all go over there and gripe about how they havent covered our favorite game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Richard]

I won't tell you not to http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[NTJedi]

I went on the website and posted feedback asking for information and a story about Dominions_3.

http://archive.gamespy.com/feedback/

[NTJedi]

I was reading that Galactic Civilizations 2 was able to do so well on sales that they've planned two expansions for the game.

With Dominions_3 doing so well just to start perhaps we'll see Shrapnel offer a Dominions_3 expansion deal. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Expansion deal? Whats that, a cut-rate if you have Dom2?
Do they have the database to do that?

They might have to start tracking it in Dom3 to offer it with Dom4

[NTJedi]

Gandalf Parker said:
Expansion deal? Whats that, a cut-rate if you have Dom2?
Do they have the database to do that?




Simply means if Dominions_3 makes enough sales that Shrapnel might make Illwinter a contract offer to work on an expansion game for Dominions_3. An expansion usually includes more content and features.

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, I wouldn't mind more money, but I presonally think patches and expansions should be free. As long as they aren't altering the game play.

I suspect we will add new content for quite some time after the release. It is not that easy to let go.

[NTJedi]

Kristoffer O said:
Hmm, I wouldn't mind more money, but I presonally think patches and expansions should be free. As long as they aren't altering the game play.

I suspect we will add new content for quite some time after the release. It is not that easy to let go.



Yes I agree, and if your game does do very good on sales I see the possibility of shrapnel offering your company a deal to make an expansion for the game... probably a year after its release.
The DOM_3 expansion is seperate from patches in providing new features such as:
1) new types of buildings (new buildings can be optional if you're worried about balance or lack of use by AI)
2) new advanced diplomacy options (very useful for SP & MP)
3) new feature: campaign editor (SP gamers would love)(could be used in MP as well)
4) new type of AI which uses one of multiple personalities (option for random selection at start of game)
b) gamers can use scripting to create their own AI personality as well
5) plus any ideas you know I missed


Combine 3 or more of the features above and all the hardcore fans which love the game will be eager in pre-ordering the expansion as well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Also Kristoffer congrats on post#2000... which arrives with your next post!

[DominionsFan]

I agree with Kristoffer also. Btw I already preordered the game too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[OG_Gleep]

Richard said:
And to confirm Annette's statement I have talked to the editor of Gamespy before and he indeed told me that they can only put stories up for the largest stories in their view.



What qualifies as large? To a lot of us Dom III is pretty big.

[Thilock_Dominus]

Already spreading the word on Ubuntu Linux forum (100.000 members nearly) http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=160572

[Saber Cherry]

I've lured about 400 GalCiv2 players to my website, but I don't know if any followed the links...

[DominionsFan]

Well, my 3 friends who I was playing Doms 2. all the time via tcp/ip on small maps are all preordered the game of course. However I wasnt able to convice my brother to order it, he wants to see the demo first. He usually played singleplayer, I dont know why, but he didnt liked the multiplayer part of Doms 2. Strange...well maybe because he couldnt win a single game ever. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

I dont tend to play multi either so I totally understand his concern. But I can already see much more solo-play stuff being added to Dom3 than there was in Dom2 just from the develoeprs logs and screen shots. I went ahead and pre-ordered mine. Id ont doubt that I will get at LEAST as much play as I get from any other game of the same price, and Im pretty sure I will get much much more

[DominionsFan]

Indeed Gandalf, also dont forget, we gonna probably see many mods for Doms3, which is just awesome. I always preferred games with heavy modability. Just take a look at Rome Total War. Fantastic mods are out for it, and I am still playing that game.