Expansion Packs

A look inside the retail sausage factory

Published on April 17, 2006 By Draginol In GalCiv Journals

At some point we want to do an expansion pack. And by some point, I mean, we have a pretty good idea of what, when, and what would be in said expansion pack. But there's a lof of "Stuff" involved in deciding what will be in an expansion pack and when it would be launched and how it would be packaged.

First a little primer: Unless you're mega publisher, if you want to be in the stores for Christmas, you have to be released by September 30th. That's the magic date. Secondly, unless you're a large publisher, having both a boxed version and an expansion pack on the shelves is really really hard.

So if we want to do an expansion pack soon, we would have to release it either by the end of September (any earlier would be too close to the original release) OR wait until next year (February 2007).

There are also two basic ways of going about an expansion pack:

The Traditional Way. You release your expansion pack for $19.95 to $29.95 that requires users to have the original game. This is what big publishers tend to do because they can have both the mega selling original and the expansion. Civilization IV and Civ IV: Warlords would be a great example of this.

The Alternative Way. You release an expansion pack that plays on its own for $39.95 to $49.95. That is, you basically update your original game to include the expansion pack as an integral part of it. Disciples II did this.

I don't have a strong preference. If you take the traditional path, you risk losing shelf space entirely unless you are selling in significant quantity. If you take the alternative path, you need to find some way to enable people who bought the original game to get the expansion pack without having to pay full price (rebate in box for existing players, or direct download or something). It also has the problem of requiring the existing game be taken off the shelves first to be replaced by the "new and improved" version which can be a real bummer.

Or you could just bypass retail entirely and offer it direct and not mess with any of the problem and release on your own schedule.

Comments (Page 1)

quixotecoyote

on Apr 17, 2006

Another problem with the bundled game+expansion is that unless you hide the release time for your expansion pack, those of us still saving up to buy the game will simply wait until the bundle comes out, saving us money but costing you an extra sale.

Aaron Bredon

on Apr 17, 2006

How about offering the expansion pack for the lower price, include the main game (as a time limited trial) on the CD with an offer included to buy a serial number for $20 (by phone or internet), which converts the trial into the full version.

This would allow those who already have the original game to just pay for the expansion, and those who don't can get the full game+expansion by paying with a credit card.
This also means that people can reinstall everything at once by installing and entering their serial number.

You would have to make it clear on the box what exactly is included/required, or people might think they are getting ripped off.

cyberj914

on Apr 17, 2006

It must really be a pain in the neck I can certainly understand why very few if any indie titles release retail expansions. For me personally downloaded a $19.95 expansion would be no biggie but I'm sure people with only dial up would rather be able to get a CD. Obviously you guys will make the desicion that makes the most sense from the business side of things. Going to be interesting just to watch to see how it plays out

In the mean time pass me that Nano Ripper... some Torian just made a comment about my hair

BigHairyGoat

on Apr 17, 2006

A difficult one.

Personally I'd pay for just an expansion pack ... but pay about the same as the original price for the game (which I've already paid for) plus the expansion pack? Well, I'd feel I was being ripped off and probably not bother. Just my opinion.

But the reviews would likely be excellent and I'd have to buy it anyway. Stardock, you have me over a barrell

DamnedChoir

on Apr 17, 2006

What's gonna be in it?

Seriously, though, on the two release options, Traditional, and Alternative, Alternative seems like it only works when the Expansion/Game thingie has different content than the original, but also LACKS some prime piece of the original, such as in Guild Wars and it's expansion pack. Both are stand-alone games in their own right, each with a different focus and part of the world. If you buy both, you can move back and forth between them and create either type of character, and also likely have a few bonuses, too. If you go that route, you can remove some features, as well as areas, races, and the original campaign, in a way that people would want to buy the original too for extra content. People who have both would have the content of both, and some extras, and those who have one or the other can enjoy each on their own unique terms.

That being said, personally, I think I'd prefer the traditional if it allows you to build more content into it by not having to create a seperate 'similar but different' game experience that stands on it's own legs. If you go traditional, you can focus simply on expanding an already great game with new stuff. New methods, ships, hulls, jewlery, tech, races, gameplay, campaign, and hopefully many new nifty options we haven't thought of. Any opportunity for creativity and customization in my opinion is a good one. Custom tech, more complicated soldiers, espionage, even more meaningful custom race bonuses, etc. Perhaps some whacky tech trees that don't function like normal ones, or variant propulsion options. Heck, you can even do paths that have forks and only one fork can be taken. Say, two types of engines, once you choose you're locked on that path for the future, could be the same for weapons...

Wait...sorry...got on a side track, this isn't exactly a 'suggestions for expansion' post.

Well, anyways, I think ultimately you'd probably get more units sold with non-traditional, but you'd have more fan appreciation and efficiency in developing the expansion itself with the traditional. Just my two billion credits.

Moosetek13

on Apr 17, 2006

It is not an expansion to the current game if it is a stand alone package. It would simply be another version of the game.

An expansion, to me, is new and better weapons, techs, aliens, ships, ship building tools, planet options, things like that.
Improvements, you know?
Like Sim City 4 to Rush Hour.

I guess I am more in favour of the traditional way.

And worrying about getting it out by Christmas should be secondary to getting it right in the first place.

I would pay 20 bucks for additional content to my current game, but I would not want to pay for another game entirely.
And the rebates? I hate having to pay money up front, then having to mail something in and waiting 6 weeks to 3 months for a few dollars back. That is just a gimmick for the company, hoping a lot of us will fail to get that rebate mailed in.

You said that there were already pretty set ideas on said expansion pack. I would like to hear what you are thinking of doing, so I can start drooling sooner.

Supreme Shogun

on Apr 17, 2006

Well sign me up. Being the Mega-Stardock fan that I am, you know I'll buy it. Even pre-order/ join the beta.

So are you asking for opinions on Traditional vs Alternative? or you asking for ideas for an expansion period ?

I'd vote for traditional. I paid for the "Main Game" so why not? I'd also vote for both. Is both feasible? How about a discount coupon available for registering/buying ? That way a person would get a break on having to have the original game. Net result, sell more expansion units + generate sales for original.

And for the last option, have you upgraded your infrastructure exponentially? Each release its noted you have record sales or more than anticipated. The comments about "we thought we had enough extra bandwidth and we barely had enough "

Well from a player's perspective, I'd judge an expansion against what I know. TBS is my genre for sure. Civ 4 is new yes, but not fair to judge an expansion to one thats not out yet. So I'd have to go it against Civ 3 and PtW or C3C. There's also HoMM IV + Winds of War, etc. So what would I expect ? New units ? That would have to translate first new techs to research first and then new components ? New Scenarios and Campaigns. That's a given. A HoMM expansion has 4-6 campaigns typically plus numerous scenarios/maps. C3C had "Conquests" which were some great scenarios made from Firaxis. SO yeah would expect the GC2 expansion to have some campaigns and scenarios made and blessed from Stardock. X number of new races/tribes/civs to play as. I don't think the number is set in stone, but each one generally has some. Then there is a new kind of wow factor. The unforseen wow, I guess you would call these "new features" that are just cool. Basically it has enough 'essence' to be great and worthy of being a sequel. I'm not accusing Stardock of this, but some games' sequels and/or expansions are remarkably close and just more of the same with a new paint job.

/sarcasm Don't forget to plaster "must update your video drivers " in bright neon somewhere on the box.

/sarcasmoff

PS. I love you guys. Don't stop making games. Thanks.

GreatInca

on Apr 17, 2006

SimCity 4 started out with an incremental expansion at first and then within 4 months they had a 'deluxe' version that had it all in one package.

I like the other guy's idea. Put out a deluxe version labeled like an incremental, and require either a previous install or both serial numbers with the option to buy the base game's serial number online. That bundles the lower install time and fewer cds of the combo with the lower price of the incremental. A problem with lot of incremental expansions is that the original game is never in stock (Star Wars Galaxies). The problem of instant-serials are the kegen-makers (piracy).

ICEnightmare

on Apr 17, 2006

NICE a new expansion before version 2.0 is even out.

Still it will be cool to have new stuff and who knows they might stop there and start making GalCiv 3!!! Sorry just happy something new is coming out. History=GalCiv+GalCiv A
GalCiv2+????? GalCiv3 so on...

Glitch

on Apr 17, 2006

I would prefer the traditional method, although that's not going to stop me from getting the expansion. I also wouldn't mind a download, in place of a CD, but that's pretty hard on the dial-up users.

I suppose the question of which to do might come down to this: Are you ready to release the expansion? I mean, if the thing isn't ready by the end of September, then there's no point in releasing it in time for the holidays. In fact, that might be even worse than waiting because of all the idiots who'd get the expansion and find out that it's got bugs. And then they'd come here to complain and tell their friends that it's buggy.

FarAway Galciv

on Apr 17, 2006

I lean towards the traditional method (I'll almost never pay more than $20 for an expansion pack myself), although it's really up to you and your marketing teams to figure out the economics behind the different options.

That does sound exciting. I get especially stoked about expansions that significantly alter gameplay in one or more ways. Doesn't have to be mind-bending, just something that enhances the replay value of the game above and beyond the original. If it doesn't change the game play experience in at least one major aspect, I'm not so crazy about it.

Just my own $0.02. I'm off to play my next scenario, while waiting for 1.1 to hit the decks!!

syneris

on Apr 17, 2006

Or you could just bypass retail entirely and offer it direct and not mess with any of the problem and release on your own schedule

I thought this was what was planned, part of the free bonus content. You could repackage the expansion in with the game to have a new shelf box that replaces the older one.

RoPa

on Apr 17, 2006

I would for sure buy an Expansion Pack that is priced in the $20 to $30 range, I would not buy a expansion pack that plays on its own for $40 to $50. There is only so much that I'm willing to spend.

Stygian

on Apr 17, 2006

Mostly, I would buy either.

How different would the expansion content be if it came out September, as opposed to Feburary?

Id love to see the game showcased in Computergames Magazine, or PC Gamer in a big sprawl with a full release plus expansion.

MrGhandi

on Apr 17, 2006

Well, I would go with hidden option 3, to release direct and do it on your own schedule. I bought my copy of the game in the store, because they actually had it when I checked with them. If they hadn't, I would have just as easily bought the game direct from Stardock. So what I'm saying is that I, and I imagine many others, would be just fine buying it direct from Stardock when you guys are ready to release it.

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