Let's Play - Pocket Space Empire

Jarhead0331 · March 08, 2016, 11:42:55 AM

Looks like a fun change of pace...?

http://store.steampowered.com/app/446000/

EDIT: my lets play video is located at the top of page 2.

Gusington · March 08, 2016, 11:43:49 AM

Is that a space empire in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

tgb · March 08, 2016, 11:57:34 AM

Brian over at Spacesector.com seems to like it a lot. All they are saying is this week some time.

Steelgrave · March 08, 2016, 01:18:10 PM

I'll give it a shot if the price is right.

Martok · March 08, 2016, 05:32:23 PM

This is one of those games that doesn't really seem like my cup of tea, but I'll probably end up getting at some point anyway because I want to support the genre, and I like that the dev is doing something a little different. (He posts fairly regularly in the Explorminate forums, incidentally; seems like a good guy.)

panzerde · March 08, 2016, 06:11:39 PM

The narration for the video is a little...odd, but I like the idea. 4X games need a breath of fresh air, and I have to admit I'm tired of doing the tedious stuff. Definitely seems like it'd be worth a try.

Jarhead0331 · March 09, 2016, 07:26:13 AM

Well, it's available now, but a little more expensive than I was expecting. $24.99 with a 10% discount brings it to $22.

Doesn't make this an easy decision.

Tpek · March 09, 2016, 12:09:56 PM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on March 09, 2016, 07:26:13 AM
Well, it's available now, but a little more expensive than I was expecting. $24.99 with a 10% discount brings it to $22.

Doesn't make this an easy decision.

According to the devs they intentionally made the price during EA higher in order to discourage people from rushing into buying the game.
When the game fully releases they will lower it.

Jarhead0331 · March 09, 2016, 12:21:12 PM

Quote from: Tpek on March 09, 2016, 12:09:56 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on March 09, 2016, 07:26:13 AM
Well, it's available now, but a little more expensive than I was expecting. $24.99 with a 10% discount brings it to $22.

Doesn't make this an easy decision.

According to the devs they intentionally made the price during EA higher in order to discourage people from rushing into buying the game.
When the game fully releases they will lower it.

Yeah. I saw that. The logic is idiotic.

Punish the ones who are eager to support you most by charging them a premium, while offering the game cheaper to those who don't really care. Brilliant business model.

I get that EA games sometimes charge a premium in order to attract funding for future development in exchange for immediate access. But this developer? He openly admits that he is charging more now in order to get as much money up front from those most eager to play because, hey, they are willing to pay more.

Huw the Poo · March 09, 2016, 12:36:46 PM

Isn't that how the gaming industry works in general though? The new shiny is £40, then when it's been out a while it drops by 50% or more in sales.

I wouldn't go as far as to call it idiotic. He's probably seen games in early access getting mauled by people happy to drop ten quid on a vaguely promising title, trying it for ten minutes then leaving a bad review while failing to comprehend either the point of the game or the point of early access.

Jarhead0331 · March 09, 2016, 12:40:00 PM

^You're probably right, Huw. I just think the way he put it is a little offensive to the hard core crowd he is talking about, but perhaps its a language issue. I think he is Polish.

Anyway, I requested press access, so hopefully I'll be able to give you guys an honest assessment soon.

Huw the Poo · March 09, 2016, 12:43:47 PM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on March 09, 2016, 12:40:00 PM
Anyway, I requested press access, so hopefully I'll be able to give you guys an honest assessment soon.

...and a video? ;)

Tpek · March 09, 2016, 01:51:29 PM

Considering all the KS projects I backed where upon the game finally been released it was released first to Steam buyers and only later to actual backers (with the Steam price much reduced), I'd have to say this is the industry standard for indie game devs these days.

Nefaro · March 10, 2016, 06:14:04 AM

Looks interesting but after reading the Early Access projected timeline, it sounds like the game is barely into Alpha..?

I mean, it mentions 2-5 months to finish and another 2-4 months for bug squashing. As we all know, such estimates are often overly optimistic. Sounds like this won't be done for at least another year.

Can kinda see why they don't want too many people checking it out this early, after reading that. Makes me wonder if they were already behind schedule for their allotted Steam release date and just priced it upward until it's closer to a beta.

At least they're being open about the current condition & pricing though.

FarAway Sooner · March 10, 2016, 10:32:15 AM

I'm okay with the logic, since all games are sold on a caveat emptor basis. I've heard game designers state that the higher ticket price on EA is not to fund further work, but to deter casual folks who might pollute the feedback pool. I see the value in getting a core of players in EA who are truly interested in/invested in the game concept and making it be the best it can be.

I'm not saying that's the perfect EA model. I'm just saying it's a viable approach.