X Games on GOG!

MegaBurn · Post by **MegaBurn** » Tue, 15. Dec 15, 04:29

That sucks, thanks for the info though.

Morkonan · Post by **Morkonan** » Tue, 15. Dec 15, 19:39

MegaBurn wrote:That sucks, thanks for the info though.

AP is basically a patch/mod for X3TC.

Post by **Ketraar** » Wed, 16. Dec 15, 00:26

Morkonan wrote:AP is basically a patch/mod for X3TC.

That is quite wrong and a bit offensive tbh, to everyone that put quite some effort in it. But mostly its just wrong.

MFG

Ketraar

eladan · Post by **eladan** » Wed, 16. Dec 15, 09:13

Ketraar wrote:
Morkonan wrote:AP is basically a patch/mod for X3TC.
That is quite wrong and a bit offensive tbh, to everyone that put quite some effort in it. But mostly its just wrong.

Easy there, Ketraar, I very much doubt that Mork was belittling the effort that went into creating it.

I don't see how he can be wrong. It's a fact is that the asset and mechanics base of AP is largely composed of TC assets. That's pretty much the definition of a mod, which makes no judgement about how much work is involved in its creation - a total conversion and a simple model change are both labeled 'mods', after all.

Morkonan · Post by **Morkonan** » Thu, 17. Dec 15, 09:03

Ketraar wrote:
Morkonan wrote:AP is basically a patch/mod for X3TC.
That is quite wrong and a bit offensive tbh, to everyone that put quite some effort in it. But mostly its just wrong. ..

There's no intent to belittle anyone's effort at all. It's just technically correct, as far as I know. It's a modification of the X3 game engine, as far as data goes, with the same, basic, engine, being used as the base.

One can not purchase AP by itself. It requires X3:TC in order to work, right?

Steam: X3: Albion Prelude wrote:

Downloadable Content

This content requires the base game X3: Terran Conflict on Steam in order to play.

It's just fact, not insult. It's misleading to those unfamiliar with this title to claim any differently.

And, I love the X3 series. I don't play AP very often, but I purchased the package again, just so I could support Egosoft once more.... without having to purchase Rebirth.

MegaBurn · Post by **MegaBurn** » Mon, 21. Dec 15, 18:52

This is turning into a weekly bump/nag since I found out about it...

It seems strange ES isn't mentioning the GOG release. Especially considering they posted news about Rebirth, including an upcoming GOG release - without mentioning the existing release. What was the marketing strategy here? Stealth?

On X3AP being a patch and mod (DLC) of TC, I wish it were, that would be better, an improvement. Probably - a smaller download, tighter integrated with TC, better data structure, better continuity from existing TC mods, possibly not having to start a new game, not a Steam exclusive title for years, not a gaming/hobby breaking/ruining ongoing source of frustration for non-Steam people, etc. Seems to me this not-mod/DLC not-standalone add-on approach is inferior, and as such that inherently does belittle (cheapens) the contributor's work. I sincerely hope ES never does that again. In the future, if anyone complains about charging for a hybrid big-patch bonus-pack DLC, then ES only has to threaten an AP add-on style release to shut people up.

Post by **Alan Phipps** » Mon, 21. Dec 15, 19:13

Megaburn wrote:This is turning into a weekly bump/nag since I found out about it...

I really do hope not as that would probably not end well.

MegaBurn · Post by **MegaBurn** » Tue, 22. Dec 15, 18:46

Hows that?

Isn't customer service provided via these forums? Most of this is pretty basic stuff. Should I start a new thread in X-Trilogy? PM or email ES staff (who)? Ask (nag) other moderators to remind ES staff to post some details on the GOG releases?

Why is that necessary? I mean I get people are busy, with Rebirth, the holidays, etc, but come on, its been a month without even a placeholder GOG release thread. Apparently they don't want this thread to be that release thread, it was moved out of there as off topic (wtf, how is this off topic?). Its already not ended well...

Or am I to take the other meaning, a subtle threat of some moderation action? That would be fitting, the closest thing to an official response to an informal customer service request is to lock the thread. Yes, do it, lock it but also move it to X-Trilogy and sticky it, as a subtle staff reminder to post a decent GOG release thread.

eladan · Post by **eladan** » Thu, 24. Dec 15, 08:40

MegaBurn wrote:Apparently they don't want this thread to be that release thread, it was moved out of there as off topic (wtf, how is this off topic?). Its already not ended well...

Actually, I started it here in off-topic.

Ego make announcements about releases or related info in the main forum, but they tend to prefer that regular threads be gameplay related. Hence my posting here.

My guess would be that with sticky space at a premium, and the games being old ones, that ES don't think that it is high profile enough of a move to deserve a sticky on the main forum. That, and sticky blindness meaning half the population would miss it anyway!

A mention in the next newsletter might be a reasonable compromise though.

MegaBurn · Post by **MegaBurn** » Sat, 26. Dec 15, 14:10

Actually, a moderator hijacked your thread to turn it into a consolidated GOG thread dump, the thread "Old X games on GOG" is now the third reply and "Thank you Egosoft and GOG!" is the fourth reply, along with any other replies to each (can't tell). That makes it special. Merging them here, in off topic, instead of in X-Trilogy, makes this a sort of "anti-thread", as if they don't want a coherent GOG release thread in X-Trilogy.

On the semantics, I'm torn between calling this the "GOG release anti-thread" to stress the weirdness of this situation vs sticking to saying it was moved out of X-Trilogy to stress that it belongs there.

It cannot be a sticky space issue, this is a launch in a new market place, including first time availability of AP free of Steam encumbrance. Marketing is too important for something that petty, and here its free, so none here is a sign of neglect, or cutting corners. The same holds for a dedicated homepage news article, its a waste of free advertising, and shows neglect (really a loss, nothing to save in cutting that corner) - let alone not so much as a footnote in latest article. Yeah, the newsletter should say something about it.

If they really were worried about sticky space I think they would clean up the existing threads to make room for something this important, and for that matter, update them to ensure they provide current information. Examples: Remove the announcement flag from the old AP retail and AP 3.1 patch announcements, and add links to the resource/guide list and maybe "latest updates...", or a new consolidated "game versions" thread (e.g. retail box vs Steam vs GOG vs any others). Unstick the AP survival guide then link to it prominently in the guide list and in the bonus pack thread as official bonus material. Merge TC/AP bonus pack thread into the "latest updates..." thread. Update the "latest updates...", that its called that and isn't current is a sign of neglect. Update game registration codes to reflect any changes with GOG.

Either something is odd about this, or its simple neglect and ES is worse off then it appears. If the staff don't have time maybe they can ask moderators to do it (aka as cost cutting, if it doesn't pass a cost benefit analysis for staff on the clock, they can ask a volunteer to do the work for a pat on the head).

Antilogic · Post by **Antilogic** » Sat, 26. Dec 15, 15:22

You care about this way, way too much.

MegaBurn · Post by **MegaBurn** » Sun, 27. Dec 15, 12:13

Yeah, its just frustration burning through. In some communities focusing on a problem like this is necessary for anything to happen, here its a futile effort, and I've been around here long enough to know better.

eladan · Post by **eladan** » Thu, 31. Dec 15, 03:51

If you feel that strongly about it, PM one of the mods. If you really want something official, PM CBJ. I suspect that you won't get any more joy from his response though.

Bernd's steam memo from a year or two ago clearly spelt out that ES felt that steam was the only platform for them - that using other platforms was not cost effective. I'm ecstatic that they've kept an open enough mind to at least test the waters on GOG, and I hope they've been pleasantly surprised by the response, but I'm realistic enough in my expectations to not be surprised that they aren't advertising the fact. They are still steam-centric, because of the dev-friendliness of the backend, and because that is where the bulk of their customers are and will remain. I'm confident that they would still prefer all their customers to be on steam, if only they could be persuaded to be.

Post by **Alan Phipps** » Tue, 5. Jan 16, 22:29

Just to add some further substance, there were indeed those who made considerable personal effort to advertise the X games' release on GoG. This topic was run in the X Trilogy Universe forum in parallel to this combined general discussion thread and where it attracted developer feedback too.

MrFiction · Post by **MrFiction** » Wed, 20. Jan 16, 16:15

It seems our prayers have been answered:

Coming in early 2016 will be the new X Rebirth complete package, including The Teladi Outpost and Home of Light for just 49.99 €. Available on Steam, GOG, or directly from egosoft.com.

Thanks Egosoft!

eladan · Post by **eladan** » Fri, 26. Feb 16, 01:41

MrFiction wrote:It seems our prayers have been answered:

Coming in early 2016 will be the new X Rebirth complete package, including The Teladi Outpost and Home of Light for just 49.99 €. Available on Steam, GOG, or directly from egosoft.com.

Thanks Egosoft!

...And it's there! Half price until Monday.