Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.war-historical (More info?)
In article <1107453663.586665.176720@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
erikr@matrixgames.com says...
> > Rightly or wrongly, I walked away from that purchase with the feeling
> > that Matrix was one of those annoying companies that spends a lot of
> > time playing all the angles, trying to squeeze the last dollar out of
> > my wallet. In other words, a company that I tend to view very
> > sceptically whenever I deal with them.
>
> I hope that's not still the impression that you have, as it could not
> be further from the truth. Wargaming is a niche hobby and no one's
> getting rich doing this. For companies like you describe, in my
> opinion you need to look again at some of the more mainstream cookie
> cutter games.
Let me just put in my strong vote of preference *for* digital download,
for the following reasons:
(a) Digital download means no physical copy protection[1], which means
I can back up my software appropriately[2] and don't suffer a brain-
damaged performance hit. Oh, and I don't have to *pay* for the
privilege of not backing up the software.
(b) Digital download means no CD to drag around with my laptop; for
someone who goes on the road even seldomly, the importance of this is
incalculable.
(c) Digital download means I can buy the games I want when I want, and
play them immediately - rather than waiting for the UPS man ... or
praying that the game is ever available in the shitty outlets here in
Podunk.[3]
The main question I would ask those who prefer CD-based distos is, "What
- *exactly* - do you get with your CD that I don't get with my file?"
Manual? Nope, a .pdf with both, almost every time. A *box*? Whoopie,
another box to put in the attic. A little silvery CD? That's worth
exactly 10 cents, and it took me two minutes to produce this with the
same CDRW that everyone has.
The only possible reason I can think of to prefer a CD is if you're one
of those poor wretches who's stuck with a modem. To them I would say,
"Take your modem, put it with your 386, and join us in the 21st
century."
[1] License-based protection is fine, and untroubling to anyone who's
playing by the rules. Like me.
[2] Or extremely, if you're Frank. <g>
[3] I actually bought CAMPAIGNS ON THE DANUBE as a digital impulse-buy;
I was only marginally interested in the topic, but (a) the game was
inexpensive, (b) it was from a publisher I trusted, and (c) I could have
it in my hot little hands and be gaming in five minutes, on a weekend
when I needed a new game. So Matrix got $20 of my money *only because
of digital download*, and never would have made that Jackson with a CD.
--
Giftzwerg
***
"We have freedom now, we have human rights, we have democracy.
We will invite the insurgents to take part in our system.
If they do, we will welcome them. If they don't, we will
kill them."
- Rashid Majid, Iraqi voter
In article <1107453663.586665.176720@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
erikr@matrixgames.com says...
> > Rightly or wrongly, I walked away from that purchase with the feeling
> > that Matrix was one of those annoying companies that spends a lot of
> > time playing all the angles, trying to squeeze the last dollar out of
> > my wallet. In other words, a company that I tend to view very
> > sceptically whenever I deal with them.
>
> I hope that's not still the impression that you have, as it could not
> be further from the truth. Wargaming is a niche hobby and no one's
> getting rich doing this. For companies like you describe, in my
> opinion you need to look again at some of the more mainstream cookie
> cutter games.
Let me just put in my strong vote of preference *for* digital download,
for the following reasons:
(a) Digital download means no physical copy protection[1], which means
I can back up my software appropriately[2] and don't suffer a brain-
damaged performance hit. Oh, and I don't have to *pay* for the
privilege of not backing up the software.
(b) Digital download means no CD to drag around with my laptop; for
someone who goes on the road even seldomly, the importance of this is
incalculable.
(c) Digital download means I can buy the games I want when I want, and
play them immediately - rather than waiting for the UPS man ... or
praying that the game is ever available in the shitty outlets here in
Podunk.[3]
The main question I would ask those who prefer CD-based distos is, "What
- *exactly* - do you get with your CD that I don't get with my file?"
Manual? Nope, a .pdf with both, almost every time. A *box*? Whoopie,
another box to put in the attic. A little silvery CD? That's worth
exactly 10 cents, and it took me two minutes to produce this with the
same CDRW that everyone has.
The only possible reason I can think of to prefer a CD is if you're one
of those poor wretches who's stuck with a modem. To them I would say,
"Take your modem, put it with your 386, and join us in the 21st
century."
[1] License-based protection is fine, and untroubling to anyone who's
playing by the rules. Like me.
[2] Or extremely, if you're Frank. <g>
[3] I actually bought CAMPAIGNS ON THE DANUBE as a digital impulse-buy;
I was only marginally interested in the topic, but (a) the game was
inexpensive, (b) it was from a publisher I trusted, and (c) I could have
it in my hot little hands and be gaming in five minutes, on a weekend
when I needed a new game. So Matrix got $20 of my money *only because
of digital download*, and never would have made that Jackson with a CD.
--
Giftzwerg
***
"We have freedom now, we have human rights, we have democracy.
We will invite the insurgents to take part in our system.
If they do, we will welcome them. If they don't, we will
kill them."
- Rashid Majid, Iraqi voter
that you consider not worth $10. I sure
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