Really good news about Direct2Drive preorders (response from Steam support)

[Mercade]

I was thinking more the "preium free DLC pack" is the benefit, who the hell wants civ3 anyway

Agreed. If you're going for Download, then D2D is the more attractive offer. They give two civilizations + one scenario while Steam only gives the Mesopotamia map pack. And D2D is 2 x 2 cents cheaper, too. But that's just my 2 cents

 

[civ_king]

I'm still going the Steam route, because I have a Mac so I'll run Civ V in bootcamp until the Mac version comes out (which it will... eventually)

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

I'm still going the Steam route, because I have a Mac so I'll run Civ V in bootcamp until the Mac version comes out (which it will... eventually)

It's all with Steam. Every version of the game is with Steam.

C'mon people...

 

[hardkjerne]

Is there any confirmation on that D2D version will give you a key that unlocks the game on Steam for download? I use Steam for most of my games, and I like being able to download games from there (makes it easier when using different machines and after reinstalling OS). On the D2D page it only states "3rd Party Download Required".

 

[Grey2ham]

I'm still going the Steam route, because I have a Mac so I'll run Civ V in bootcamp until the Mac version comes out (which it will... eventually)

It's all with Steam. Every version of the game is with Steam.

C'mon people...

What civ_king actually means is:
Buying off steam allows you to have the win and mac versions for one purchase.
Other distributors may require you to buy for mac again.
See how evil steam are, making you only by it once and allowing you to run it on two different OS the horror!

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

What civ_king actually means is:
Buying off steam allows you to have the win and mac versions for one purchase.
Other distributors may require you to buy for mac again.
See how evil steam are, making you only by it once and allowing you to run it on two different OS the horror!

I'm pretty sure that if a mac version is released, you will be allowed to play it regardless of the source of the purchase since ALL copies of the game have a Steam activation key. They've all got steamworks built-in and they will most probably have Steamplay if a mac version if ever released.

EDIT:

To clarify: There's no practical difference between a direct Steam purchase and a purchase from retailers or other digital distribution sites. It would defeat the purpose of Steamworks integration if the retail/non-steam copies of the game were inferior.

 

[Grey2ham]

I'm pretty sure that if a mac version is released, you will be allowed to play it regardless of the source of the purchase since ALL copies of the game have a Steam activation key. They've all got steamworks built-in and they will most probably have Steamplay if a mac version if ever released.

EDIT:

To clarify: There's no practical difference between a direct Steam purchase and a purchase from retailers or other digital distribution sites. It would defeat the purpose of Steamworks integration if the retail/non-steam copies of the game were inferior.

Good point that i didn't think of when replying.
Now I use steam a lot but don't have a Mac and so have little experience but:
Will any steamworks based game with mac support (not just civ 5) activated through steam be playable on both OS, not just bought through steam?
Does that question make sense? I think you're saying yes in the quote but im trying clarify that.

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

Good point that i didn't think of when replying.
Now I use steam a lot but don't have a Mac and so have little experience but:
Will any steamworks based game with mac support (not just civ 5) activated through steam be playable on both OS, not just bought through steam?
Does that question make sense? I think you're saying yes in the quote but im trying clarify that.

Yes, unless the publisher is so greedy that they gut their game just to make sure Mac owners don't get to play both the Windows and Mac versions for one price. They'd lose all the Steamworks features by making a mac version of the game that worked without them.

To me, it's inconceivable that a developer would do this. Before the mac version of Steam, they could at least justify it somewhat, but now it would make no sense. If a game is branded with Steamworks AND is released for mac, I don't see why they wouldn't just use Steam for mac. They would get to keep the achievements, the stats, multilayer and anti-cheat features (if they opted to use them).

 

[Grey2ham]

Yes, unless the publisher is so greedy that they gut their game just to make sure Mac owners don't get to play both the Windows and Mac versions for one price. They'd lose all the Steamworks features by making a mac version of the game that worked without them.

To me, it's inconceivable that a developer would do this. Before the mac version of Steam, they could at least justify it somewhat, but now it would make no sense. If a game is branded with Steamworks AND is released for mac, I don't see why they wouldn't just use Steam for mac. They would get to keep the achievements, the stats, multilayer and anti-cheat features (if they opted to use them).

Thanks for the response, you beat my googling attempts.
I've pulled up the relevent info from wiki though for those that may be interested:

"Originally planned for release in April 2010, Steam for Mac OS X computers was launched worldwide on May 12, 2010, following a successful beta period.[61] In addition to the Steam client, several features were made available to developers to take advantage of a cross-platform Source engine and platform and network capabilities using Steamworks.[62] Through SteamPlay, the Mac OS X client will allow players who have already purchased compatible products in the Windows version to re-download the Mac versions at no cost, allowing them to continue to play the game on the other platform; however some third party titles may require the user to purchase again to gain the cross-platform functionality.[63] The Steam Cloud will be cross-platform compatible. Multiplayer games can also be cross-compatible, allowing Windows and Mac players to play with each other.[57]"

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

Yeah, there you go. That explained it better than I did.

I can't wait for a developer to try and charge a fee to use the mac version on Steam. They are gonna be in for a shitstorm from the fans.

 

[Commander Bello]

I can't wait for a developer to try and charge a fee to use the mac version on Steam. They are gonna be in for a shitstorm from the fans.

To be honest, that wouldn't matter at all.

They aren't doing it to spite you, it just makes sense financially.

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

To be honest, that wouldn't matter at all.

Except, it wouldn't make sense financially, because:

A) People wouldn't tolerate it
B) It would be unprecedented, think about the bad publicity they would get from users and gaming news sites
C) 95% of gamers are on Windows and Mac users will just use bootcamp to pay one price instead of the combined price for windows AND Mac

Keep trying, Bello, I know you are working hard at it. You'll get there some day.
I can email you my forum message and thread updates in a newsletter if you want to stay current.

Also, I know we talked about this in another thread, but I'll say it again. Stop using the "Fox News" style of quoting. Contrary to what you think, the context and source actually matter.

 

[Commander Bello]

Also, I know we talked about this in another thread, but I'll say it again. Stop using the "Fox News" style of quoting. Contrary to what you think, the context and source actually matter.

My quotes come with a link, so can be checked about the context.
Don't underestimate people's ability to recognize your intentions.

I completely understand that now you're feeling a bit uneasy.
Doesn't look that good when on the one side you try to counter complaints about certain decisions with the remark of the financial interests, but on the other side are trying to use assumed complaints about such an action as an argument.

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

My quotes come with a link, so can be checked about the context.
Don't underestimate people's ability to recognize your intentions.

I completely understand that now you're feeling a bit uneasy.
Doesn't look that good when on the one side you try to counter complaints about certain decisions with the remark of the financial interests, but on the other side are trying to use assumed complaints about such an action as an argument.

Yes, so let's check out those links, shall we?

This is the full post:

What kind of answer do you want him to give you? I don't even understand the point of injecting emotionally charged language like "loyal fanbase". By doing so, you basically turn what could have been a rational discussion into an emotional one. They aren't doing it to spite you, it just makes sense financially.

Plus nothing they are charging for BEFORE the release is actually "dlc", unless you consider the entire game to be DLC. The Cradle maps are retailer-specific preorder incentives, and Babylon is a "feature" of the deluxe edition. Remember, the Deluxe edition is optional, you can opt not to purchase it.

Now, I agree that 0-day DLC is kinda crummy (I wish Babylon was part of the standard edition), but it's got nothing to do with you being loyal or disloyal. They will profit from it, plain and simple, don't take it personally.

which was a reply to:

I have a question for 2k Greg. What is the point of charging a loyal fan base extra for DLC before the game has even been released? Please give me a straightforward answer.

So, in your mind, these are the same:

1. Charging for DLC (which I have said should not be overpriced and not be 0-day), which is additional content added to an existing and already made game.

2. Charging for the same game for a different platform when the distribution system is shared on those platforms.

Believe it or not, a price for one product or service can "make sense financially", whereas the price for another product or service may not.

Bello, like I said, keep trying. One day your zealous anti-Steam rampage will actually spawn a relevant argument, you know what they say about broken clocks.

 

[Tylerryan79]

@Tylerryan79
The question is, do you really think Babylon will never be sold again after all preorders are finished?QUOTE]

I think people will be able to buy it on release. Greg posted something, Im sure you read it, along the lines of, "Regardless of what version of the game you buy, everyone will be able to buy dlc on the day of release". He didnt come out and say what the dlc was going to be, but he implies dlc will be available on the get go.

This is one reason behind me getting the D2D Deluxe. The way Im thinking is this, If they do release Babylon it will be for less then $10. So why not get the regular version, then buy the steam dd, and save money? Or still spend the $10 at D2D, but get 3 civs, and scenario. If they will be for less than $10 all together, then bad choice. If more, than a good choice. Also if Babylon will be held off on for a time, Ill still have it right away. D2D DD is the best deal, and then I can grab me some map packs, if they are any good.

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

I'm pretty much on the same page as you, Tylerryan79.

Just waiting on 2kGreg to update that thread explaining what exactly those Cradle of Civ map packs are before I pull the trigger on the D2D deal.

 

[Ahriman]

Greg posted something, Im sure you read it, along the lines of, "Regardless of what version of the game you buy, everyone will be able to buy dlc on the day of release".

Not quite. He was saying that any post-release DLC will be downloadable by everyone regardless of version. So for example the D2D deal will give you the first official DLC pack (with 2 civs) for free, whereas if you buy from another retailer and wanted those civs you would have to pay for the pack.

Babylon is not officially DLC; it is part of the Deluxe Edition.

Its not at all clear that Babylon will ever be released as DLC. Its possible, but not certain.

But yes, buying the Deluxe edition from D2D is probably the cheapest way to get all the civs, if that is your intention.

 

[Tylerryan79]

Because the game uses Steamworks, you can be sure that no matter where and how you buy it, you'll end up with the same access to DLC that everyone else does. So if you buy a boxed product from a B&M store, you'll still be able to buy DLC via Steam the day it's released, just like the people who purchased the game directly from Steam to begin with.




The Steam preorder comes with its own bonus, which is the Cradle of Civilization: Mesopotamia Map Pack. It's up to you to decide which bonus you think you like more. When I give you that description of exactly what the CoC Map Packs are, you should be able to better decide.

This is the post I was refering to. After rereading its clear he is talking about the dlc, not the games release. My B!

 

[Mercade]

Thanks for the response, you beat my googling attempts.
I've pulled up the relevent info from wiki though for those that may be interested:

"... [62] Through SteamPlay, the Mac OS X client will allow players who have already purchased compatible products in the Windows version to re-download the Mac versions at no cost, allowing them to continue to play the game on the other platform; however some third party titles may require the user to purchase again to gain the cross-platform functionality."

Sounds like a clear winner for the Steam FAQ Question of the Day. Was this already asked on 2K Greg's thread for inclusion in the Mac section?

In short: Will buying a PC/Windows license of Civ5 also give access to the Mac version when that comes out?

 

[PieceOfMind]

@Tylerryan79
The question is, do you really think Babylon will never be sold again after all preorders are finished?

Me, I doubt it. If Firaxis and 2K are already demonstrating they are prepared to bring in more revenue from DLC packs, I think it's reasonable to expect they won't waste an opportunity to earn more revenue from selling Babylon once Deluxe edition orderers have enjoyed their honey moon period of Babylon-exclusivity (e.g. maybe 2 months after release). Notice that 2K have not mentioned that Babylon will never be available again and are being deliberately vague about it. If Babylon really became impossible to ever obtain after release, they would almost certainly be making a strong point of telling us now so we all ordered the Deluxe edition right away.

@Tylerryan79
The question is, do you really think Babylon will never be sold again after all preorders are finished?

I think people will be able to buy it on release. Greg posted something, Im sure you read it, along the lines of, "Regardless of what version of the game you buy, everyone will be able to buy dlc on the day of release". He didnt come out and say what the dlc was going to be, but he implies dlc will be available on the get go.

This is one reason behind me getting the D2D Deluxe. The way Im thinking is this, If they do release Babylon it will be for less then $10. So why not get the regular version, then buy the steam dd, and save money? Or still spend the $10 at D2D, but get 3 civs, and scenario. If they will be for less than $10 all together, then bad choice. If more, than a good choice. Also if Babylon will be held off on for a time, Ill still have it right away. D2D DD is the best deal, and then I can grab me some map packs, if they are any good.

Embarrassed to admit but I'm getting confused.

Anyway, I'm making the guess that Babylon will be available as DLC a matter of months after release. You're making the guess it will be available as DLC more or less immediately. Seems to me that's how our positions differ.

The main reason I think they won't make Babylon available on release is that it will annoy a lot of the Deluxe edition buyers. It would generate even more bad PR if purchasers find out that the "Babylon exclusive" really just meant "everyone gets it, but you have the advantage of having already paid for it! " Releasing Babylon at a price lower than $10 would annoy that group even further.