I'm pretty sure budget has a lot to do with this. FLS didnt partner with SOE untill recently. And before that, they were sole controllers of POTBS. They likely didnt market thier product since they may not have had the funding or the projected budget to do it. Its a choice of bringing a CM aboard and try using word of mouth marketing, which they have been doing vs magazine and online ads. I'm very sure FLS people thought about it before they got thier hands dirty with SOE. And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters(I played SWG pre-CU started pub 5 and was scorned myself)?
The missing keys in boxes is true. In the official pre-order thread on their boards, there were posts describing missing codes. One guy tried 10 boxes at a Best Buy, and none had codes. As a matter of fact, Rick posted on these forums confirming the problem, and encouraging people to open boxes at the tore.
As for the marketing...FLS had plans in place long before signing with SOE. And, theysigned with SOE in the early summer...plenty of time to get a campaign going. GnH had more markting than PotBC.
... And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...
... And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...
Because Sony makes money for every retail box sold. In fact because of our contract with them they make more of their money on the boxes (where they do a lot of work with manufacturing and distribution) and almost none on the back end (where they only do billing). They are therefore incented to get lots of boxes out on store shelves. And pre-order sales have an effect on how many retail copies a store or chain orders. So poor pre-order sales don't make SOE happy any more than us, as that may affect their later box profits. Which is why they're working to fix the current situation as quickly as possible.
I'm having a serious problem understanding this whole preorder thing. I tried to order two copies from Amazon.com* for me and my husband. I was refused, because of 'regional restrictions'. I am Dutch (very definitely Europe), and as you say SOE is the distributor for the US AND Europe. In other words, it shouldn't matter if I order it at Amazon.com. The major game stores (both internet and physical) in this country aren't even listing the game as a coming release, by the way. I just called one of the biggest (Dynabyte), and they haven't even heard of the game.
Linna
*Buying at Amazon.co.uk is unappetizing, as they are slow on delivery, AND I'd have to pay in English pounds. Dollars are a lot more attractive with the low dollar course.
edit: checked Amazon.co.uk AND amazon.com to make sure, and they're selling the regular box, to be released 22-jan. neither mentions any pre-order goodies. great, just great.
... And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...
Well one things for sure, there is no way to offer a 15 day head start once the game launches and therefore no way to make good on that promise to the people who bought preorders and got screwed.
Developers should never sell these types of in-game advantages to entice preorders anyways, as it destroys the concept of a fair level playing field which is a tenet for MMOGs. Players also need to take some responsibility for driving this type of shady marketing, by being greedy and wanting an advantage over retail customers so I don't have any sympathy for anyone who gets hosed by this deal.
I feel bad for the people that get hosed by the deal. A promise was made to them, they took the offer and paid for it, and now its being broken.
Bad business IMO about the QA for SOE.
What I wouldnt give for being a fly on the wall of FLS though. I can imagine comments being made when that news was heard.
If anything(I hope it doesnt happen) goes wrong with release, I am almost willing to bet at least 1 guy at FLS who reads this forum will either say or think "Agricola was right."
I feel bad for the people that get hosed by the deal. A promise was made to them, they took the offer and paid for it, and now its being broken. Bad business IMO about the QA for SOE. What I wouldnt give for being a fly on the wall of FLS though. I can imagine comments being made when that news was heard. If anything(I hope it doesnt happen) goes wrong with release, I am almost willing to bet at least 1 guy at FLS who reads this forum will either say or think "Agricola was right."
Bad business is true, but that is not all (not trying to stir a pot). There is also a legal side aswell as selling a product with a promise and failing to deliver, or rectify.
If a company knows there is an issue with a product, eg missing cd, cd-key, and they continue to sell the product, with a benifit agreement that they know can't be delivered, they MUST fix, repair, or replace. Otherwise a refund must be issued.
Eve Trial <- Try 14 days of Eve for FREE Im against SOE
While this isn't all the information you are looking for, I can report that our distribution partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have verified that Pirates of the Burning Sea pre-orders have arrived in those countries.
I've been directly in touch with SOE, and they assure me that a list of European retail locations will be available to our fans shortly.
Thank you for your patience folks, we will get this information to you just as soon as we have it.
Well FWIW it looks like the launch in Europe went down about as well as the one in North America... So far, it seems that Koch Media is handling the German release and may have got this distributed to some stores?
Dixon: never heard of the pre-order. no mention on their webstore of the retail box. Store employees say they THINK they may get the retail box, but were in too much of a hurry to look it up (they may be confusing it with Pirates of the Caribean).
Nope. Very few American companies have direct distribution channels in both the US and Europe. In fact, I think the only ones that do are EA, Ubisoft, THQ (and MS/SCEA/Nintendo). Pretty much everyone else goes through a local distributor. I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody, but you get the idea. So we work with Koch, who also handled distribution of Vanguard over there.
As for more information on this, there's a sales conference at Koch today which we expect to get more information from.
Your post doesn't make sense. Today is the 12th so the information will be ready on the 12th. But it's not like Koch is gonna tell them much other than 'Yeah, we'll have the games out there ready for pickup'.
Your post doesn't make sense. Today is the 12th so the information will be ready on the 12th. But it's not like Koch is gonna tell them much other than 'Yeah, we'll have the games out there ready for pickup'.
Oh... sorry.
You need to read back a couple of posts to the FLS statement made by Aether (Post 86 in this thread)
--------------------------
....
I've been directly in touch with SOE, and they assure me that a list of European retail locations will be available to our fans shortly.
...
Best,
Aether
---------------------------
After the North American release FLS said they would post a list of retailers in Europe stocking the Pre-Order box.
They also announced the 12th (yesterday for me) as the day it would be availible.
Under those circumstances I expected to see something concrete on the FLS boards a few hours ago at the latest (Mid morning Euro time).
I know that we're currently working on some more companies in the UK, but they're not confirmed yet. We should have updated information for you tomorrow on Spain and the Nordic countries.
Comments
The missing keys in boxes is true. In the official pre-order thread on their boards, there were posts describing missing codes. One guy tried 10 boxes at a Best Buy, and none had codes. As a matter of fact, Rick posted on these forums confirming the problem, and encouraging people to open boxes at the tore.
As for the marketing...FLS had plans in place long before signing with SOE. And, theysigned with SOE in the early summer...plenty of time to get a campaign going. GnH had more markting than PotBC.
These two threads tell the story:
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940
(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)
And this one
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848
Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.
And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
These two threads tell the story:
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940
(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)
And this one
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848
Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.
And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350
Obviously, more evidence of the dastardly plot to foil PotBS, hatched by the evil Cabal of Gamestop employees! Long live the console bretheren!!!!!!
Good job with the proof Gyrus.
But honestly, what a complete PR disaster!
You could not have done a better job if you tried!
Not only are a number of fans disappointed / let down / frustrated / annoyed but then there is the issue of how to clean up the mess?
Not everyone reads forums either, so I wonder how many people have got the pre-order box home and don't realise there is a problem?
You can bet these people will be royally annoyed when they DON'T get their 15 days 'head start' and DON'T get their pre-order benefits.
And how is FLS going to clear all this up?
Customer: How do I get my head start? Where's my parrot?
FLS: Where's your code?
Customer: What code? I never got a code?
FLS: Oh... It should have been in your pre-order box - you need to send it back...
Customer: At whos expense? How long will it take?
FLS: Ummmm..... did you keep your reciept?
Customer: And if I send it back and it takes a week I don't get 15 days head start do I?
FLS: Ummmm....
In a business where you cannot afford to earn a bad reputaion they are well on the way to doing so. There will be more tears yet over this one.
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
I'm having a serious problem understanding this whole preorder thing. I tried to order two copies from Amazon.com* for me and my husband. I was refused, because of 'regional restrictions'. I am Dutch (very definitely Europe), and as you say SOE is the distributor for the US AND Europe. In other words, it shouldn't matter if I order it at Amazon.com. The major game stores (both internet and physical) in this country aren't even listing the game as a coming release, by the way. I just called one of the biggest (Dynabyte), and they haven't even heard of the game.
Linna
*Buying at Amazon.co.uk is unappetizing, as they are slow on delivery, AND I'd have to pay in English pounds. Dollars are a lot more attractive with the low dollar course.
edit: checked Amazon.co.uk AND amazon.com to make sure, and they're selling the regular box, to be released 22-jan. neither mentions any pre-order goodies. great, just great.
These two threads tell the story:
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940
(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)
And this one
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848
Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.
And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350
Thanks. Looked around a little at first but mostly for news releases and not forums. Clears that up.
Shoulda looked harder before opening my mouth.
Well one things for sure, there is no way to offer a 15 day head start once the game launches and therefore no way to make good on that promise to the people who bought preorders and got screwed.
Developers should never sell these types of in-game advantages to entice preorders anyways, as it destroys the concept of a fair level playing field which is a tenet for MMOGs. Players also need to take some responsibility for driving this type of shady marketing, by being greedy and wanting an advantage over retail customers so I don't have any sympathy for anyone who gets hosed by this deal.
I feel bad for the people that get hosed by the deal. A promise was made to them, they took the offer and paid for it, and now its being broken.
Bad business IMO about the QA for SOE.
What I wouldnt give for being a fly on the wall of FLS though. I can imagine comments being made when that news was heard.
If anything(I hope it doesnt happen) goes wrong with release, I am almost willing to bet at least 1 guy at FLS who reads this forum will either say or think "Agricola was right."
Bad business is true, but that is not all (not trying to stir a pot). There is also a legal side aswell as selling a product with a promise and failing to deliver, or rectify.
If a company knows there is an issue with a product, eg missing cd, cd-key, and they continue to sell the product, with a benifit agreement that they know can't be delivered, they MUST fix, repair, or replace. Otherwise a refund must be issued.
Eve Trial <- Try 14 days of Eve for FREE
Im against SOE
Oh dear...
I'm bumping this because I think we may need it? - there is no point starting a new thread.
Today (12th Dec) is the day the European Pre-Order was supposed to be available.
See this post on the FLS forums
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showpost.php?p=680938&postcount=66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EU Pre-Order Update
While this isn't all the information you are looking for, I can report that our distribution partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have verified that Pirates of the Burning Sea pre-orders have arrived in those countries.
I've been directly in touch with SOE, and they assure me that a list of European retail locations will be available to our fans shortly.
Thank you for your patience folks, we will get this information to you just as soon as we have it.
Best,
Aether
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sadly, it looks like FLS is still having to check up on SOE?
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
Well FWIW it looks like the launch in Europe went down about as well as the one in North America...
So far, it seems that Koch Media is handling the German release and may have got this distributed to some stores?
http://www.amazon.de/Koch-Media-GmbH-Pirates-Burning/dp/B000Z7FKBW
But as for the rest of Europe?
There's this:
http://www.simplygames.com/info/15715/Pirates-Of-the-Burning-Sea--Pre-order-Promo-Game-PC
But note the "Temporarily out of stock"
You really have to wonder, don't you?
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
Dynabyte: never heard of the product
Free Record Shop: never heard of the product
Bart Smit: never heard of the product
Bol.com: never heard of the product
Dixon: never heard of the pre-order. no mention on their webstore of the retail box. Store employees say they THINK they may get the retail box, but were in too much of a hurry to look it up (they may be confusing it with Pirates of the Caribean).
Meh.
Linna
The swedish store webhallen at www.webhallen.com has the game and the preorder offer, direct link:
http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=82084
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showpost.php?p=682101&postcount=136
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nope. Very few American companies have direct distribution channels in both the US and Europe. In fact, I think the only ones that do are EA, Ubisoft, THQ (and MS/SCEA/Nintendo). Pretty much everyone else goes through a local distributor. I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody, but you get the idea. So we work with Koch, who also handled distribution of Vanguard over there.
As for more information on this, there's a sales conference at Koch today which we expect to get more information from.
Russell Williams
Flying Lab Software
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely they should have had this information ready on or before the 12th?
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
Your post doesn't make sense. Today is the 12th so the information will be ready on the 12th. But it's not like Koch is gonna tell them much other than 'Yeah, we'll have the games out there ready for pickup'.
You need to read back a couple of posts to the FLS statement made by Aether (Post 86 in this thread)
--------------------------
....
I've been directly in touch with SOE, and they assure me that a list of European retail locations will be available to our fans shortly.
...
Best,
Aether
---------------------------
After the North American release FLS said they would post a list of retailers in Europe stocking the Pre-Order box.
They also announced the 12th (yesterday for me) as the day it would be availible.
Under those circumstances I expected to see something concrete on the FLS boards a few hours ago at the latest (Mid morning Euro time).
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.
Update on this:
http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showpost.php?p=682335&postcount=142
-----------------------------------------------
Germany => Gamestop
Italy => Gamestop
Austria => Gameware: http://www2.gameware.at/info/spaces/...he+Burning+Sea
France => DLGamer - digital pre-order : http://www.dlgamer.com/acheter-preor...ent-p-493.html
UK => Simply Games : http://www.simplygames.com/info/1571...-Promo-Game-PC
I know that we're currently working on some more companies in the UK, but they're not confirmed yet. We should have updated information for you tomorrow on Spain and the Nordic countries.
__________________
-Russell Williams
Flying Lab Software
---------------------------------------------
So, I guess we will see.
Nothing says irony like spelling ideot wrong.