What does the game physically come with?

[Paleblue]

Iv been considering purchasing dominion 3, but I am wondering what it comes with. On the dominion 3 page it just says that a cd is shrinkwrapped to a manual. Is this true, or does the cd actually come in a dvd/cd case? Not sure how much I like the idea of a loose cd strapped to a instruction manual.

Perhaps someone has some pictures?

[Sombre]

I didn't get a dvd case or box with mine - it's a manual and a cd basically.

And a hug from Kristoffer.

[vfb]

My manual and the attached CD came in a box. It's not a loose CD. It's in a plastic sleeve, attached to the manual.

[JimMorrison]

It may come in a brown corrugated cardboard box. It may come in a bubble-wrap lined manila envelope.

My CD was not so much "loose", as enclosed in a paper sleeve. It's not entirely hard to move it to a wallet, or to a spare jewel case, as you personally prefer. ;)

[Paleblue]

Thanks for the responses

[Endoperez]

There's no Dominions 3 box or box art. I still think the Shrapnel page might confuse someone, since the manual's front page is shown on a box-shape. It's probably a good idea to get some holder for the cd so that you can store it in a bookshelf or something.

If you're worried that the cd will break in the post, it's safe inside a 300-page manual that's thicker than some books. It lists all spells, magic items and nations that existed when the game was published, and most summons.

[Paleblue]

Yes the picture on the website is quite misleading, its why i came here to ask. I find it odd that an expensive game (in Aus $) doesnt come with even a dvd case, most indy games come with a nice case so it looks great in a collection.

[BesucherXia]

My manual and cd did come with a box. well... parcel-box I mean.

Hmm... I think the manual itself is a good piece and worth collecting though it is a little obsolete now. I always dream of an updated version and will even purchase another cd just for it.

[Gandalf Parker]

My CD came in a paper sleeve tucked inside the manual and the whole thing shrinkwrapped. Since the manual is 300 pages that amounted to better packaging than I would have gotten in any other form. But that was a LONG time ago so it might have changed.

[Humakty]

It is like Gandalf says, but if you give an extra ten bucks, you'll have a whip and a sacrificial knife

[JimMorrison]

It is like Gandalf says, but if you give an extra ten bucks, you'll have a whip and a sacrificial knife

I thought that the Collector's Edition came with a Bog Beast plushie? :o

[Gregstrom]

No, just a Bog Beast. They cost less to make. You do have to be careful when opening the parcel, though.

[Loren]

I can't recall how it came packed.

Note, however, that the game does *NOT* require the CD in the drive to play. You'll use it to install and that's it. What is needed for play until you've learned the game is the manual--and that's spiral-bound so it will lay flat.

This game is *NOT* about eye candy, it's about strategy.

[Gandalf Parker]

I also think its fantastic that the CD comes with Windows AND Mac AND Linux versions on it. I would have had a real rought time otherwise.

[llamabeast]

Regardless of the packaging Paleblue, you should definitely buy the game! Without a doubt it's the game that's given me the most happy hours.

[Aristander]

I agree with Llamabeast. Ever since I purchased this game I do not play "age of wonders", "Civ 4" or "Galactic Civ II" anymore.
This game is so deep and has the flexibility to let you do just about anything you can think of. Each nation has different strengths and weaknesses. The amount of content is vast, I am still running into spells,units and magic sites I have never seen. Also the developers keep updating it for free even 2 years after publication. The community is also very helpful. Mods for the game are very easy to install and enable.
Go buy it now you will not be sorry.

[Tichy]

I think a jewel case would be more likely to break in the mail. I'd much rather have a nice envelope strapped to the manual than the shattered handful of plastic a jewel case would inevitably become.

But yes, an updated manual would be extra nice.

[S.R. Krol]

Paleblue, while others have already provided your answer I did want to confirm that as the game's page says, it comes shrinkwrapped with the CD stuck inside the manual. This is standard for all our games that come with a decent sized manual (e.g. you'll find all the ProSIM titles are like this) while games that have smaller manuals tend to come in DVD cases. Believe me, there is no way that Dom 3 manual is squeezing into a DVD case anytime soon. :)

We don't do boxes because we don't put anything on store shelves so it's silly to waste cardboard on something that will end up trashed 90% of the time anyway. If you're worried about the CD coming in a paper sleeve finding jewel cases is pretty easy, and chances are you might even have an old CD or game that you don't care about anymore that could house your CD. Personally over the years I've actually gotten rid of all my jewel cases and moved all my games to paper sleeves. Saves a tremendous amount of space and weight!

[Paleblue]

Thanks for the information everyone, now i need to decide what i will do.

[Loren]

Thanks for the information everyone, now i need to decide what i will do.

What's there to decide? Buy it! This game isn't about looking pretty on the shelf or even on the screen. It's about actually playing it. After you install it you'll probably never look at your CD again. What difference does it make what it looks like?

[Endoperez]

Asking for the fans of the game might give you somewhat one-sided advice on buying the game...

Still, if you've tried the demo of Dominions 3 and aren't certain yet, you might want to check out Dom2 demo for a few more nations. You could also browse the subforums. Reading through a multiplayer thread could give an idea about what that's all about, and looking through the player-made maps and mods can tell you if you'd be interested in them.

[Dragar]

Thankfully I bought the game before the Aussie dollar nosedived :) I'd still happily buy it at current rates though

[Sombre]

I'm a big fan of the game and I definitely wouldn't tell someone to buy it without knowing what kind of game they're after, which games they've played and how they would likely play dom3 (mp or SP, using mods and patches or not and so on).

[Gandalf Parker]

Actually I would say GET THE DEMO.
Its a great game, but not for everyone. Try the demo first.

But if you do find the demo fun, then dont worry about the cost. I still play dominions years after Ive gotten it and that surprises even me. Most games at the same price tend to last about a month on my machines before I get tired of them. So IF its a game you can like, then I would expect that you can like it for years worth of gaming.

Gandalf Parker