I've been following the debates about "free content vs. DLC" and how it relates to the current state of the game. I'd like to share a few points as simply a fan of the series...NOT an expert.
1) To begin with, I have very little complaint as to the state of game play at the moment. I only play on the largest 3 map sizes, and always with more than 40 factions. I don't see a problem with game play. I don't pretend to be a champion player, and I don't finish games because I'm constantly CHOOSING to start new ones. But for what I've experienced, I love it.Yes, I've experienced the same bugs everyone else has. Yes, the AI needs work.
2) I have purchased each DLC and opted in to every update. I have no problem with either approach. The game is constantly evolving, and improving.
3) The main point I'm trying to make is simple. I can't speak for anyone else, but I followed development, and I chose to buy the game based on the promise that the developers intended to continue to improve the game for a very long time. I envision this game in 6 months, a year, 5 years from now, being completely different than it is right now. The promise was always, as far as I'm concerned, and ONGOING commitment to make GalCiv3 as good as it could be. Therefore, I'm not focusing on the current state of the game. I'm enjoying the current state of the game. I'm anticipating the masterpiece I believe this will become.
Bottom line...I feel I have definitely received $49 worth of fun for the game in my possession. I have no issue with $5 each month for added content. Eventually I imagine I will have laid out the same $100,(I think that's the total,) that the Elite Founders paid...and I'm OK with that. Heck, I hope that's the case. That would be 10 DLC packs! The patches will continue to come regularly, and that should satisfy the less satisfied players. Folks, they promised not to stop improving this product. I've seen no reason to doubt them.
Yeah, I would agree with you on points 1 and 3. I'm holding off on the DLC purchases though, waiting for more changes to the AI and game mechanics.
Totally agree with your perspective there wpkelley41, that's why I became a founder! After playing with all the previous iterations of GC and hearing what the plans were for this one, it was basically a no-brainer for me. I couldn't plop down my cash fast enough. LOL Despite the various annoyances, I'm still enjoying/playing the heck out of this game. Like you, I only play on the largest of the 3 maps, I usually have 20-30 races and with all the minors involved and so far since the alpha release to us founders, I've clocked over 1300 hours into this game. Seriously, where can you spend $99us and enjoy the heck out of yourself for that much time and still not be bored? I can't wait to see how many hours are totaled once the game is finally labeled "complete/finished". GC time has already beaten many other favorite games of mine in terms of amount of time played. If that doesn't tell Brad something good about his game I don't know what will. My wife is starting to get jealous...
Yeah, I am right with you wp. I get aggravated with the game and the AI occasionally, but I love it. I also hardly ever finish a game. I constantly start new games to see how different factions work out and I have gotten way more than my money's worth out of the ship designer alone. I probably would get further in games if I didn't get sidetracked spending an hour or so designing a new ship.
Generally I agree with the OP, I’m still enjoying watching the game evolve. DLC does not in any way worry me, (maybe because I get it all free anyway as one of the founders). But also because along with paid DLC they are adding stuff to the game for free too and the DLC helps finance that.
Most game developers don’t add new features to their games for free for years after or AI enhancements; they are giving plenty away for free to people who bought the game.
Agreed Econundrum, that was the point I was hoping to make. The emphasis on the "64-bit engine." As Brad has continued to point out. It can go on for who knows how long. I for one am looking forward to the future...while thoroughly enjoying the ever-changing present version.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
Sign in or Create Account
