138 réponses à ce sujet

[Cuthlan]

If I were to venture a guess at why the Signature Edition was handled the way it was, it would be as a test of a marketing incentive to keep people from cancelling preorders.



As we've discussed, preorders can be cancelled at any time without loss. But if a person has a preorder in for a version of the game that is no longer available, they will be less inclined to cancel their preorder. Of course they still will if they see something they absolutely hate... but for those who lose some confidence but aren't sure, they will be more likely to keep their money on the table.



That's my take on it, anyway.

[Cloaking_Thane]

Cuthlan wrote...

If I were to venture a guess at why the Signature Edition was handled the way it was, it would be as a test of a marketing incentive to keep people from cancelling preorders.

As we've discussed, preorders can be cancelled at any time without loss. But if a person has a preorder in for a version of the game that is no longer available, they will be less inclined to cancel their preorder. Of course they still will if they see something they absolutely hate... but for those who lose some confidence but aren't sure, they will be more likely to keep their money on the table.

That's my take on it, anyway.

Quite sound, I agree.

I do think this will most likely be the last "free upgrade" however

[Snickl88]

beefcake 85 wrote...

Snickl88 wrote...

So the free stuff was only available before any reviewers had gotten their hands on the game, before any clear info about the story, characters, changes and upgrades about the game came to light, and I was just supposed to take a gamble that I would want to play DA2?
                                                                  

Erm, what stopped you from pre-ordering it, just incase it lived up to expectations, but even if it didn't, you know, you could always have cancelled your pre-order, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation.

Because three months behind the release date I wasn't even thinking about DA2. Maybe that's the problem here, that I don't follow all the updates. The more I think about it, the more sense you make actually. The issue I am left with is the removel of the edition completely. It reeks of rewarding the fans who follow up on every snippet of info about their games, where as I only take an intrest in games as and when they hit the stage where the previews are comming out, as do alot of gamers. This still confuses and angers me, since the product I was always intending on buying is now no longer available, because I had other things on my mind. But I'm big enough to let it go. As was said a few pages ago, there is still plenty of DLC available, not that it's the issue, but I guess I have to just suck it up and put up with Bioware's new ploy.

And having to put up with it is like a dagger in my back.

[JJDrakken]

To make you pay 70 dollars for the game(If you want the Extra Companion & Quests), instead 60 Dollars for the game in that 2 month period. Lets be honest it all about money, they could give a spit about anything else when it come's down to it.



It's the way of the world man, it ain't ever going change you know.





JJ

[Cloaking_Thane]

Snickl88 wrote...

beefcake 85 wrote...

Snickl88 wrote...

So the free stuff was only available before any reviewers had gotten their hands on the game, before any clear info about the story, characters, changes and upgrades about the game came to light, and I was just supposed to take a gamble that I would want to play DA2?
                                                                  

Erm, what stopped you from pre-ordering it, just incase it lived up to expectations, but even if it didn't, you know, you could always have cancelled your pre-order, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation.

Because three months behind the release date I wasn't even thinking about DA2. Maybe that's the problem here, that I don't follow all the updates. The more I think about it, the more sense you make actually. The issue I am left with is the removel of the edition completely. It reeks of rewarding the fans who follow up on every snippet of info about their games, where as I only take an intrest in games as and when they hit the stage where the previews are comming out, as do alot of gamers. This still confuses and angers me, since the product I was always intending on buying is now no longer available, because I had other things on my mind. But I'm big enough to let it go. As was said a few pages ago, there is still plenty of DLC available, not that it's the issue, but I guess I have to just suck it up and put up with Bioware's new ploy.

And having to put up with it is like a dagger in my back.

Conversely, what about the dagger in Biowares back if everyone cancelled their pre-order?

[Scous3]

i new about the SE and wanted to preorder, but i have to buy games off steam/d2d that sorta thing because my comps on the fritz and whenever i install via CD i get CRC error checks which ive narrowed down to either a failing hdd (which i doubt) or most likely my memory is dying.



I work on minimum wage so its taking forever to save money up to upgrade my system, but atleast steam gives me the validate files check then downloads the corrupted bits again and is a temp solution to my problem bit gutted i missed out on the SE i preordered the second it came onto steam lol, but not particulary bothered and i dont get why people complain so much i read somewhere the added companion will be a 7$ DLC not sure what that works out in england but probs be around a fiver i can live with that meh just a pack of smokes 1 month to go

[Bishop Cruz]

The whole Signature edition thing didn't bother me except for one glaring issue. Steam, EA felt like waving their virtual co.. er male chicken around and thus cut out the largest direct download provider in the world. Brilliant. Sales were lost as a result of that. There were several people I personally know who were willing to put down the cash for DA2 the second it went up on Steam.



When did it go up? The day AFTER SE was available. Slap in the face.

[VanDraegon]

mgs00 wrote...

People said EA/Bioware is rewarding their hardcore fans with signature edition but like I said they're trying to make you guys feel special so they'd make more money off dlc

You see black helicopters often?

[Mlaar]

mgs00 wrote...

People said EA/Bioware is rewarding their hardcore fans with signature edition but like I said they're trying to make you guys feel special so they'd make more money off dlc

It worked!! I am feeling ohh so very special right now that I think I will purchase all dlc the moment it is released

[Scous3]

Bishop Cruz wrote...

When did it go up? The day AFTER SE was available. Slap in the face.

That is true, but as far as im aware the marketing of this game is handled by EA, or atleast that was my impression, so people having ago on biowares forums for mistakes EA made is a tad unfair. Either way to me the SE was more for consoles as most people who buy hardcopys these days are on consoles, for pc users it is generally easier to just have a virtual copy freely downloaded and played when need arrises new comp or what ever. Seeing how in the uk atleast the console version is £40 sometimes with a £5 knocked off in a sale or offer and the PC version is £30 in not bothered aslong as the dlc isn't over £10 haha 

[RiverLucky]

The game can be marketed as EA deems fit. It's their IP. I don't like the fact that the SE preorder ended 2 months before release. Most of the hype for a game is generated close to a release date. It is cheap.

[Sanguinerin]

I can't say that I understand the anger toward the Signature Edition.

I played Neverwinter Nights for six years and loved every minute of it. I played the campaigns alone or with friends online and then played across multiple roleplaying servers online. When I first heard about Dragon Age Origins, I was hoping for something like NWN--only better. So naturally when it finally came out (a bit beforehand, I had already dispelled the illusion that it would also be a single and multiplayer game) and, despite thinking, "oh this isn't what I thought it would be after all," I bought it.

I still loved it. Later on, I bought a Collector's Edition copy that I found as well. Since DAO was so good, I bought Mass Effect very late in the game and then the Mass Effect 2 Digital Deluxe Edition a bit late as well. I love ME and I absolutely loved ME2. I've also bought every single DLC for DA and ME/ME2 with the exception of one of armor/gun packs for the latter.

So what did I do when I heard about the limited time Signature Edition? I decided not to miss out on early content this time around and pre-order, something I never did. It would be nice to get the extra content and to get everything on day one. I didn't feel cheated despite not knowing anything about the game. BioWare makes games that I have particularly enjoyed, so I kept my faith and set up the pre-order with GameStop.

As information was released up until January 11th, I could cancel at any time without having paid anything. I found that there was still enough information for me to believe that it would be a good game. I can still cancel my pre-order and I've paid nothing (not even a $5 down). I won't lose anything. However, I still find the SE to be worth my money--which is nothing extra than a normal copy of the game coupled with pre-ordering on a day when GameStop gave free 1-day shipping, which was advertised for here on the forums by Priestly, I believe.

Ultimately, it's a choice. I wouldn't call it a gamble. I've enjoyed everything else by BioWare that I've played and I'm interested in going back and playing old BioWare games that sound interesting (Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, and KotOR) and I'm looking forward to ME3 and SW: The Old Republic.

You just have to decide what it's worth to you. Have faith if you enjoyed other BioWare games or don't. Pre-order or don't. I didn't need reviews to tell me that I'm most likely going to enjoy it but here are a lot of reviews and I'm still excited. No one forced anyone to buy anything extra so if you want it, buy it. If you don't want it, don't buy it.

I'm still not understanding where any of that free will to do as you please should make anyone angry or upset, with the possible exception of people who just don't frequent the forums and didn't see advertising, only to come around late in the game like I did with those above listed games. For those people, I really am sorry that the SE is no longer available if they wanted it.

It's mostly irrelevant now since the SE is no longer offered, but my thought process when I pre-ordered was this: do I really want a bonus companion, free items, and a soundtrack? (which I've bought the DAO and Leliana's Song soundtracks and listen to them while doing homework, while the ME/ME2 soundtracks sit on my Amazon wish list while I wait for more money to come my way to buy them...)
Yes! Yes, I want very much!

That thought process is what compelled me to pre-order. If it didn't do the same for you... Then don't pre-order and wait for your reviews.

[Alodar]

Snickl88 wrote...

Because three months behind the release date I wasn't even thinking about DA2. Maybe that's the problem here, that I don't follow all the updates. The more I think about it, the more sense you make actually. The issue I am left with is the removel of the edition completely. It reeks of rewarding the fans who follow up on every snippet of info about their games, where as I only take an intrest in games as and when they hit the stage where the previews are comming out, as do alot of gamers. This still confuses and angers me, since the product I was always intending on buying is now no longer available, because I had other things on my mind. But I'm big enough to let it go. As was said a few pages ago, there is still plenty of DLC available, not that it's the issue, but I guess I have to just suck it up and put up with Bioware's new ploy.

And having to put up with it is like a dagger in my back.

Again, I 100% appreciate your plight. I originally misunderstood the restriction as well when I ordered my Signature Edition. I thought that the SE would still be offered but at a higher price. It was only because I'm a forum regular that I eventually realized I was mistaken. 

That being said  the dagger in the back line is a wee bit too much melodrama for my tastes.

This is all over four items. If they were still selling a Collector's Edition it would be for $10 or $15 more than the price of the regular game.  Since the day one DLC is $7 that's a difference of $3-$8 you would have to have paid extra for four bonus items.

I know it's that the idea of it bugs you, but is it really worth getting offended that you don't get a chance to spend and extra $3-$8 for four bonus items, especially since bonus items abound and there is no guarantee you would even use them?

I understand that it is not the optimal solution from your perspective, however, with no disrespect intended to you or your feelings,  I don't see this as BioWare taking the murder knife and thrusting it in your back.

Alodar

Modifié par Alodar, 10 février 2011 - 04:51 .

[Liber320]

Snickl88 wrote...

So the free stuff was only available before any reviewers had gotten their hands on the game, before any clear info about the story, characters, changes and upgrades about the game came to light, and I was just supposed to take a gamble that I would want to play DA2?

I always preorder games I want to play for the extras, and usually always go for the collecters editions as well if they offer goodies (hell, I did for Origins), but this is just stupid. Why would Bioware not release the Sig edition to people who want to buy it? Exclusivity? That only makes the 'loyal' fanbase feel special. Not wanting to give away free DLC? Ohh Bioware...

I've been a loyal fan of Bioware since Baldars and I feel cheated. I would have bought the Sig edition full price on release day after having seen the scraps of info that are floating round the web, but now I cannot.

Thank you Bioware, for nothing.

Also, I'd just like to draw attention to the complete lack of sympathy for people in the same position as myself from the posters here. Not that I'm asking for any, but how about a "feel bad for ya bro", rather than "lol well, should have taken a gamble that Bioware wouldn't mess up a sequal to a pretty good game".

read into that last sentence what you will.

You are aware that if you decided you didn't like the game after you read the previews, you could always have cancelled your pre-order free of charge beforetheshipping/release date (March 8), right?

So no, no one will "feel bad for you", or people in your position. It was your mistake, so live with it.
There are some acceptable reasons to not take advantage of a limited time offer (not that interested, dind't think you would have the money to pay for it come release date, etc), but waiting for previews is not one of them.

[Veex]

Scous3 wrote...

i new about the SE and wanted to preorder, but i have to buy games off steam/d2d that sorta thing because my comps on the fritz and whenever i install via CD i get CRC error checks which ive narrowed down to either a failing hdd (which i doubt) or most likely my memory is dying.

You could have gotten the SE as a digital copy through the EA store. I haven't had an issue with their service yet, but some folks claim it isn't of very high quality. Just a heads up for the future if you're still having computer issues.

Bishop Cruz wrote...

The whole Signature edition thing
didn't bother me except for one glaring issue. Steam, EA felt like
waving their virtual co.. er male chicken around and thus cut out the
largest direct download provider in the world. Brilliant. Sales were
lost as a result of that. There were several people I personally know
who were willing to put down the cash for DA2 the second it went up on
Steam.

When did it go up? The day AFTER SE was available. Slap in the face.

I still don't understand why everyone assumes EA is the only reason it didn't wind up on Steam. Why would the big, "money hungry" evil empire that is EA
keep their Signature Edition off of the largest retail distribution
site? You don't think it possible that Steam had a hand in that
disagreement?

[Scous3]

Veex wrote...

You could have gotten the SE as a digital copy through the EA store. I haven't had an issue with their service yet, but some folks claim it isn't of very high quality. Just a heads up for the future if you're still having computer issues.

I did not know that, it is something to consider thumps up for you 

as for the point on steam having a hand in it that could be true, although after thinking about it why would EA or Steam want to decrease there potential pre-order sales. Obviously there is more to this than we will know but as ive stated seeing as how the PC version is £10 cheaper we have no right to complain aslong as that day 1 DLC is less than £10 

[Sylvius the Mad]

I'm not a huge fan of EA's digital store, but I did really like BioWare's old digital store.

Sadly, BioWare's store went away.

[Rockworm503]

MikeSunrider wrote...

Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds necessary to purchase the signature edition. I am slightly bummed out that the Signature edition is no longer available.

You didn't have 5 bucks?
Most of my pre orders I put a few dollars here and there Pre order means you don't have to have all the funds right then and there.

[Rockworm503]

Snickl88 wrote...

So the free stuff was only available before any reviewers had gotten their hands on the game, before any clear info about the story, characters, changes and upgrades about the game came to light, and I was just supposed to take a gamble that I would want to play DA2?

I always preorder games I want to play for the extras, and usually always go for the collecters editions as well if they offer goodies (hell, I did for Origins), but this is just stupid. Why would Bioware not release the Sig edition to people who want to buy it? Exclusivity? That only makes the 'loyal' fanbase feel special. Not wanting to give away free DLC? Ohh Bioware...

I've been a loyal fan of Bioware since Baldars and I feel cheated. I would have bought the Sig edition full price on release day after having seen the scraps of info that are floating round the web, but now I cannot.

Thank you Bioware, for nothing.

Also, I'd just like to draw attention to the complete lack of sympathy for people in the same position as myself from the posters here. Not that I'm asking for any, but how about a "feel bad for ya bro", rather than "lol well, should have taken a gamble that Bioware wouldn't mess up a sequal to a pretty good game".

read into that last sentence what you will.

I'm supposed to feel sympathy because your "Bioware has proven themselves with all their great games but because of a few DLCs that were free 2 months before the game's release I hate and will never buy their games again"
Ya that makes total sense

[Daidoji Tangen]

mgs00 wrote...

....They cut off the pre orders TWO MONTHS before release....I would've pre ordered tommorow but not any more when I will be paying for a game with less content.

No. You're not. Not getting extra content is not the same as getting less content.

Otherwise, you should never buy a game that gives a pre-order bonus after it comes out. Which is stupid. I never heard of DA:O (before I got a 360, I didn't pay attention to the games for it) until after it had been out for a while. I'd lost out on all the enjoyment I've gotten out of it (and the soon to be heartbreak when I admit two of my completed games are gone for good) because I didn't get absolutely everything.

[Daidoji Tangen]

mgs00 wrote...

People said EA/Bioware is rewarding their hardcore fans with signature edition but like I said they're trying to make you guys feel special so they'd make more money off dlc

OK. I responded before I saw this. So, sorry for responding so soon.

No. The people who pre-order a game several months in advance are the ones who already are likely going to buy the DLC in advance. If anything it hurts them since these people will not pay for the DLC they already got.

[Sylvius the Mad]

Daidoji Tangen wrote...

No. The people who pre-order a game several months in advance are the ones who already are likely going to buy the DLC in advance. If anything it hurts them since these people will not pay for the DLC they already got.

Pre-orders give them more predictable revenue.  That has considerable value when making business decisions.

[Maldras]

People who pre-purchased the the SE didn't do anything wrong, and BW/EA were probably accurate in their marketing (I'd have to check).

BUT....

The issue that matters is perception because ultimately that's what is key to brand loyalty. There are other forums with threads that are seething over this. Maybe it is a small number of people, I can't tell, but over time episodes like this eat into a good brand's name. Which is a shame for the people of BW. Maybe it is inevitable.

It just seems this could have been managed better, but it's a done deal now. Even a mea culpa (if it even were appropriate) wouldn't help. Best to move on, and for those who feel wronged, either vote with your dollar or bite the bullet (ah, two cliches in one sentence!).

Afterthought: if it happens with SWTOR, then it will be a fiasco because that is a market with some fickle, rabid people. 


- Dras

Modifié par Maldras, 11 février 2011 - 01:48 .