X4: FOUNDATIONS - Release date, prices and more

[Morkonan]

The image is not misleading. ..

It has always been a misleading marketing ploy. Always. That Steam is a digital distribution platform does not mean they don't do physical distributions. I have a bunch of Steam gadgets sitting not five feet from me, ordered right off of Steam itself. So, since I know they are capable of actually having physical items shipped, seeing a picture of a box and a booklet and what appear to be actual physical things leads me to believe, if I wasn't savvy-in-the-ways-of-Steam, that this may actually be physical copies. Of course, then I have to read the fine print, but by that time I've just finished reading the marketing push for all these bonus materials, so I'm much more likely to click "Order" for them, now.

[nemesis1982]

The image is not misleading.

I'm not saying it's an evil ploy. But showing a image of physical boxes for a digital product is definitely misleading. It being common practice does not negate this fact.

Cannot imagine anyone getting upset about it and the text clearly states it. The image however is definitely misleading.

[ZaphodBeeblebrox]

Well that begs the question, just how would you represent the contents of the digital collectors edition in a single picture?

[ishmaeltheforsaken]

Well that begs the question, just how would you represent the contents of the digital collectors edition in a single picture?

Designers of GUI operating systems had the same kind of question: how do you visually represent the various digital entities in storage in a way that's easy for a user to understand? They settled on the desktop metaphor, representing categories as folders and items as files, trusting that a user would know from context that these are just symbols and that they shouldn't actually crack open their PCs looking for pieces of paper like Derek Zoolander.

Maybe something similar could work for digital games? Maybe show a digitally created image of a game box, since that's an instantly recognizable symbol, and trust that most users aren't male models? Huh, this ended up in a weird place.

[ZaphodBeeblebrox]

I think that if you take a closer look at the image then you will realise that this is just a mock up. Its just a bit of artwork. Actually creating a box with X4 on it would have cost money. This looks to me like a picture created in house.

[reanor]

Well that begs the question, just how would you represent the contents of the digital collectors edition in a single picture?

Designers of GUI operating systems had the same kind of question: how do you visually represent the various digital entities in storage in a way that's easy for a user to understand? They settled on the desktop metaphor, representing categories as folders and items as files, trusting that a user would know from context that these are just symbols and that they shouldn't actually crack open their PCs looking for pieces of paper like Derek Zoolander.

Maybe something similar could work for digital games? Maybe show a digitally created image of a game box, since that's an instantly recognizable symbol, and trust that most users aren't male models? Huh, this ended up in a weird place.

I like the way it is. Not everyone Is so digitally picky as are the designers of GUI OS...

[Miniding]

And today, artworks seem like real things… how to see a maked-up background in a movie when it seems so real at the look? It's question of text now. If you say "digital" then it is.

[TrueSanity]

Also, this image is...a little misleading.

Why? Did you think they were actually floating in outer space?

[DannyDSC]

The image is not misleading. Every single Steam game that does a digital-only collectors edition does the exact same thing with a picture of that nature. Why? I'm not sure, but I suppose it is the easiest way to represent what you are going to get.

People using Steam should know full well that it is a digital platform and it is really very clear that what you are going to get is digital content. I don't think there's any need to call foul play here, or to complain that you aren't getting a physical copy when it states in several places all over Steam and the X4 CE page that it is all digital-only downloads.

The image is not misleading.

I'm not saying it's an evil ploy. But showing a image of physical boxes for a digital product is definitely misleading. It being common practice does not negate this fact.

Cannot imagine anyone getting upset about it and the text clearly states it. The image however is definitely misleading.

Nemesis have has already replied for me.

[Vandragorax]

Well that begs the question, just how would you represent the contents of the digital collectors edition in a single picture?

Designers of GUI operating systems had the same kind of question: how do you visually represent the various digital entities in storage in a way that's easy for a user to understand? They settled on the desktop metaphor, representing categories as folders and items as files, trusting that a user would know from context that these are just symbols and that they shouldn't actually crack open their PCs looking for pieces of paper like Derek Zoolander.

Maybe something similar could work for digital games? Maybe show a digitally created image of a game box, since that's an instantly recognizable symbol, and trust that most users aren't male models? Huh, this ended up in a weird place.

Precisely. There is no better way to depict digital items than a visual representation of what they might look like if they were real. A book, a game box, etc. Does anyone who goes on Netflix.com and pays for a subscription honestly expect that they will receive real boxed discs of movies? Or is the context of the site and the fact that it clearly states it's digital in multiple places counted as enough of a "clue"?

Sometimes it feels like I'm taking crazy pills

[Maddog Slayer]

Would like to be able to preorder the physical game but this option is not offered.Why?

[Alan Phipps]

@ Maddog Slayer: As stated a few times already on the previous page or so of this thread, the discussions between Egosoft and DeepSilver about the feasibility, publishing and distribution for a physical copy of X4 CE (and maybe basic too) have not been completed. (You usually will need a publisher for physical media even when you are able to self-publish digital download items.)

[Blake00]

@ Maddog Slayer: As stated a few times already on the previous page or so of this thread, the discussions between Egosoft and DeepSilver about the feasibility, publishing and distribution for a physical copy of X4 CE (and maybe basic too) have not been completed. (You usually will need a publisher for physical media even when you are able to self-publish digital download items.)

I'm sure you guys have got this, but if you need lots of crazy fans to annoy DeepSilver customer service with requests for a X4 physical. Let us know!

That picture of the digital collectors just has me drooling for a physical one to go with my lovely X-Rebirth collectors set.

[Alan Phipps]

Whilst that is reassuring in principle, the 'crazy fans' might be interested in what 'crazy prices' the publisher may require.

There is little or no hard linkage in such situations between physical and download sales, costs and end-user prices. Furthermore, in my personal opinion, the physical media contribution will always be considered as a relatively small percentage of the total potential sales but with far higher production and distribution costs than the rest; it could thus need to be far more expensive per unit to meet the publisher overheads involved even before considering all parties' profit margins.

[Ryzer]

The Portuguese community is gigantic, there will be a translation for portuguese?

[-Rashen-]

Реализован абордаж крупных кораблей? Возможно ли участие игрока в абордаже?

Implemented boarding large ships? Is it possible for a player to participate in boarding?

[Blake00]

Whilst that is reassuring in principle, the 'crazy fans' might be interested in what 'crazy prices' the publisher may require.

There is little or no hard linkage in such situations between physical and download sales, costs and end-user prices. Furthermore, in my personal opinion, the physical media contribution will always be considered as a relatively small percentage of the total potential sales but with far higher production and distribution costs than the rest; it could thus need to be far more expensive per unit to meet the publisher overheads involved even before considering all parties' profit margins.

The cost of the X-Rebirth physical collectors wasn't crazy or too much for me, and I'd happily pay more than that for X4 collectors if it comes to it.

I own physical copies of every X game.. yet I also went and recently rebought them all on steam lol. Apparently I love throwing money at you guys

[Alan Phipps]

@ Blake00: However, unlike with X4, both physical and download versions for X Rebirth went through the same publisher and so the various costs could be spread more flexibly within the total package deal. This time with X4, the physical media version would be subject to a stand-alone low-volume deal as the publisher is not at all involved in the rest of the download sales and profits. (In my personal opinion.)

[pumpkinman68]

Will x4 be purchased on Gamersgate ? I am a bit "allergic" to Steam and I prefer to buy the game elsewhere than on Steam.

[dizzy]

I will add my voice among others that I will be waiting for this game to come to GOG before I will be buying it. Hope to see it there soon and not miss out on the fun for too long