Stardock and Ironclad Games have decided to delay the final release of Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment, the first micro-expansion for the hit stratey game. Originally slated for release on November 18th, Entrenchment will first be put through a public beta test for pre-order customers. This will allow us to finely hone Entrenchment ahead of its final public debut, the date of which has not yet been set (it will largely depend on beta feedback).
While we know this will disappoint some in the Sins community, we feel this will help make Entrenchment a far stronger product overall.
In eagerness to play, how do I pre-order this? Testing the beta would be a pleasure.
Here you to, Tkins:
https://store.stardock.com/application.aspx?id=sinsentrench&theme=impulse
Thanks for the post, Yarlen, it is appreciated
Tkins,
You can pre-order from Impulse.
Yarlen,
Thanks for announcing the beta! I'm excited to try it out...
Thanks gentlemen.
When will this be available for beta testing?
That sucks!!!! Now many of us will wait even longer!!! The patch better come out soon!!!!!!!! Please...?
will the beta come next week then?
how can I preorder without a credit card and why is it not possible to preorder with paypal?
Stardock doesn't charge for preorders until there's something to get (beta or final), and Paypal charges immediately so the two are incompatible. Now typical SD betas give you 1-2 weeks after the beta start to preorder with Paypal so you can get in on the beta since it's already out so you can get charged immediately. Since I doubt it'll be split into phases, you should basically be able to preorder with Paypal anytime after the beta is out for instant access.
I preordered when it available, last month i think? Really waiting for it though, such a shame it been delayed. Oh well at least we still get beta to try out. BTW, i preordered it but still can't see the serial of Entrenchment added to my impulse account. Is it normal or it should be added already? please advise.
v1.1 is coming soon - expect an announcement on that.
Entrenchment's beta will not start next week, but it will be soon (after v1.1 is out). Odds are we will not close the beta for Entrenchment after it begins (though I am not guaranteeing that yet).
It's normal. You don't get a key until your card is charged, and that happens when the beta/release is out for download.
If you're still a bit paranoid, you can email sales@stardock.com and they can confirm your order (though you should also have gotten a confirmation in the e-mail as soon as you placed the pre-order).
Oh haven't check the statement yet, i thought they already charged it since it just 1 week before release. And yeah i got the confirmation email after i placed the order. Thx for the info man
Nah, they got a horde of trained monkeys doing all the pre-order processing on release day You'll automatically get the Entrenchment key attached to your SD account once they go through your order (so it'll automatically show up in Impulse) and you'll also get another e-mail with it.
Sucks that its being delayed.
Glad to see its for a public test though. Want it to be the best game it can be!
Sucks... is it really that unbalanced...
Anyways I was gonna buy it this week, so guess I'll really just be getting it a few days later...
well, since I have preordered it anyway which - from what I understand - gives me beta access anyway, the decision does not particularly affect me. I will face a slight delay (it is stated to not go out next week, as the final release was supposed to, but the tone hinted at soon afterwards). so, I get more or less what would have come out if they had not delayed it.
in general: it is one of the big points in the gaming industry (and others of course). personnally, I prefer this way, a delay, which brings a better product. no need for a buggy, or unbalanced releaes, it would only anger fans and harm reputation. that said, there is only so much you can delay, but I don't think the patience will be raped here.
bottom line: course I am not happy that the product is not ready yet, but if the hard facts require a delay than it was the right decision.
and of course I am happy to hear there is a public beta, I think the last one helped and it does benefit games to have a wide range of opinions impact on it rather than a range of internal beta testers.
as for content: what exactly will the beta testing involve? bug hunting and balance testing (which is the most obvious) or other issues as well?
That sucks. I took off on the 19th, it was going to be a "house empty- just me and Sins day". bummer
Abort! Abort!
sad and a bit disappointing but hey i've seen enough games that could've used 2-3 months of refining.
any chance to allow paying the preorder via paypal? would gladly pay for it but it says for some reason it's not allowed for preorders.
anyway nice of you to let us know keep on rocking guys!
Well I asked these questions on IRC but I probably won't get a response.
Once the beta is actually released you'll be able to preorder with Paypal and get into the beta. The reason it can't be used for preorders now is SD doesn't actually charge you until the beta/release is available, but Paypal needs to take the funds right away.
Woah, so Yarlen, will the finished 1.1 be done in a week, a month, a day, you're killin' me man!
Seriously, though, can you give us a rough time-frame?
Koda0
No no, seriously guys, this is exactly what we want from a game developer. I for one am sick and tired of GD's kickin us half rate products. I applaud ironclad and everyone involved with this game for their dillagence for saying... , "hey, lets give these guys a quality product. No matter what the big wigs say. "
I do agree that it stinks that it is delayed, but personally i enjoy a quality relsease over a glitched out half rate release.. (IMHO) of course Also, it may allow them to address some of the mod problems that we are having ... just sayin u never know
fully aggree with Koda0!
Alreadyt hat v1.09 was really balanced IMO and fun. I would really love to be able to play the official v1.1 and start modding it!
V1.1 will be released this month (sorry, but if I'm any more specific the folks in marketing will castrate me!). The Entrenchment beta will begin after that and anyone who pre-orders it will be able to start playing when it's made public. There will be a bit of a delay (obviously), but since you'll actually get to play it anyway and refine it before its final release, it won't be too painful.
will we be able to "pre"-order while the beta is running so we can join the fight?....
uhm i mean the testing
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