SH4 pre-order confusion

[Jeffg]

I have pre-ordered through EB yesterday.
JeffG

[Potoroo]

Originally Posted by jeffg

I have pre-ordered through EB yesterday.
JeffG

EB where and did it include the goodies?

[Onkel Neal]

Here's the deal; in the olde days (1999-2005) Subsim made its operating revenue by selling the games. Since 2005 we have been running on two load-balanced servers most of the time and that runs me a little over $480 a month. Each month and every month. And that doesn't count the overage costs, like when I put GW and NYGM mods in main downloads and three weeks later EV1 charged my credit card $1800 for over bandwidth charges

In Jan 2006 our affiliate partner Chips and Bits went belly up. So we had to switch to Amazon and they only pay 1/2 the rate we got before. I expect most people order SH4 directly from Ubisoft, they really don't care to spend a minute thinking where they get the game from, they just want it. I can understand that. I can also understand why Ubisoft would prefer that, they probably get a bigger cut when they sell direct. And they hype all these "extras" and collector's editions to make people think they better get the game right away through them, or miss some goodies.

I'm not going to ask anyone to wait or risk missing the "extras" by buying through Subsim/Amazon. Subsim may miss a lot of sales of the biggest game in 3 years, but not much I can do about that. In fact, Amazon still does not have affilate links for the game, probably because Ubisoft told them to wait. They do have a placeholder, here: SILENT HUNTER 4

So that tells me they may be getting ready to set up for the same preorders as Ubi. When it goes live I will shout out. If you want to order SH4 through Subsim, it is appreciated.

So, I would prefer you to make the purchase decision you are most comfortable with. Many people tell me they would rather buy the game at EB or CompUSA, or order through Ubi, and make a $5 donation to Subsim. That's cool, I just don't want someone to miss out on anything by trying to help the website.

[Potoroo]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

So that tells me they may be getting ready to set up for the same preorders as Ubi. When it goes live I will shout out. If you want to order SH4 through Subsim, it is appreciated.

If SubSim were to be able to offer the pre-order package currently available on Ubisoft's US online shop would you be prepared to ship outside the US/Canada? That's what's really getting up people's noses in the Ubisoft forum. It's not just that it's only available on the US site, it's also that it will not sell to people in other countries even if they were prepared to pay extra for shipping.

[Onkel Neal]

Yeah, that's pretty screwed up, mate. I'll be honest with you, back when Chips was our affiliate, I could call the affiliate manager and get info like you're asking for. Subsim sold a lot of games for Chips. With Amazon, Subsim is a wee little fishy, they won't even talk with me So I will try to get the info asap, I would even be happy to place orders for you and ship them to Australia, but I don't want to hold anyone up.

And to answer your question in the Ubi forum, about how Subsim gets info on SH4, I've been writing countless articles, reviews, and previews for 11 years, so my track record helps. Think about this, I wrote a preview twice as long and detailed as Gamespot but they got the 6 minute exclusive video

I think in a few weeks some people will have a chance to demo the game at an Ubi event so stay tuned.

I see the Ubi forum and Subsim forum as cousins, so anything I publish here is meant for you/them/us too. It's only a hyperlink away

cheers!
Neal

[CCIP]

Alright, well, I'll give it a month! If we can get pre-orders through subsim in February, I'll be happy enough. Let's hope that's the case; I just can't wait for the game more than I have to.
(that said, I've already donated to subsim recently so I hope noone thinks I'm ditching my support :p)

[donut]

"With Amazon, Subsim is a wee little fishy, they won't even talk with me " For treating Onkel this way. No one @ Subsim should buy from Amazon. Advising Onkel to do business else ware,UBI made the game with Subsims forums ideas,& will cash in on same in SHIV . IMHO.UBI should be there for Subsim,& support Onkel's site with a larger kick back than Amaz-on + UBI should give Onkel A priority link, for sales from Subsim. I will not buy SHIV unless Subsim gets credit ,hard cash support from UBI.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by donut

I will not buy SHIV unless Subsim gets credit ,hard cash support from UBI.

[Gizzmoe]

Originally Posted by donut

I will not buy SHIV unless Subsim gets credit ,hard cash support from UBI.

Ubi highly values our community, they listen to our feedback and everything. Neal´s relationship to Ubi and the devs is great, for example they invited him to San Francisco for the hands-on preview. They give us submarine sims to play with, that keeps Subsim.com alive. Neal and many others appreciate Ubi´s commitment, we have nothing to be unthankful about.

[hyperion2206]

At the German Ubisoft Forum an Ubi guy tried clear things up. There will be 3 different types of games available:
1. Normal Game (60 page manual, key maps, map of the pacific)
2. Collectors Edition (60 page manual, key maps, map of the pacific, 100 page ship recognition handbook, soundtrack and sew-on badge(s) )
3. Super Collectors Edition (only at ubi shop)

[danlisa]

Ok, back the confusion....

I need this clarified.....

If we pre-order SH4 there will be a limited amount of 'Collectors' Edition available.(with extra goodies)

Once that amount of 'Collectors' Editions are gone then a Standard DVD version is for sale.

How, if we pre-order, do we know if we'll get the 'Collectors' Edition?(limited numbers?)

If I wait for a few months to see whether you guys give it a good review & whether it is buggy again, then there will be NO chance that I could purchase a 'Collectors' Edition with added goodies?

I think the main question is, will I be able to buy the Collectors Edition 6 months down the line? Or is this a one time offer.

Why do I feel slightly shafted for biding my time.:hmm:

[hyperion2206]

Originally Posted by danlisa

Ok, back the confusion....

I need this clarified.....

If we pre-order SH4 there will be a limited amount of 'Collectors' Edition available.(with extra goodies)

Once that amount of 'Collectors' Editions are gone then a Standard DVD version is for sale.

How, if we pre-order, do we know if we'll get the 'Collectors' Edition?(limited numbers?)

If I wait for a few months to see whether you guys give it a good review & whether it is buggy again, then there will be NO chance that I could purchase a 'Collectors' Edition with added goodies?

I think the main question is, will I be able to buy the Collectors Edition 6 months down the line? Or is this a one time offer.

Why do I feel slightly shafted for biding my time.:hmm:

The Ubi guy said that you could purchase the normal game (obvious ) and the collectors edition in your local store, but the super collectors edition is only available at ubi store.

[Potoroo]

Originally Posted by danlisa

Ok, back the confusion....

I need this clarified.....

I think the main question is, will I be able to buy the Collectors Edition 6 months down the line? Or is this a one time offer.

It depends where you are, it seems. What was posted on the German Ubi site is very different to what the US Community Manager is saying in the Ubi forum.

What's in the US/Canadian pre-order package from Ubisoft:

* Premium Packaging
* 100+ page manual including reference material
* Fold-out historical map of the Pacific theater
* Fold out ship recognition poster
* Quick Reference Card
* 1-hour of WWII-era documentary footage about U.S. submarines from Periscope Films on a Bonus DVD

How long it will be available:

• This announcement is for the packaging which is available for a limited time. It is NOT a limited/special edition.
  
• That means that you will get all these goodies if you pre-order from Ubi, buy it in your local gaming store, or buy it online as long as it's in US/Canada and during the limited time it's available.
  
• Like I said before, after the limited time, they'll change over to a basic package with only some/none of the goodies.

See http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...8761086925/p/1. Look for posts by AudibleKnight.

[donut]

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Ubi highly values our community, they listen to our feedback and everything. Neal´s relationship to Ubi and the devs is great, for example they invited him to San Francisco for the hands-on preview. They give us submarine sims to play with, that keeps Subsim.com alive. Neal and many others appreciate Ubi´s commitment, we have nothing to be unthankful about.

why are you only quoting only the harshest part of my post? What I am Upset about is Amaz-ons insult to Onkel,& IMHO. Onkel,can do better with UBI,& UBI should be able to see thats in there best interest also.Win, win situation get it.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Potoroo

It depends where you are, it seems. What was posted on the German Ubi site is very different to what the US Community Manager is saying in the Ubi forum.

I'm in the UK. Sorta in the middle:p

However, I suspect rather than being a German exclusive, it will be a European exclusive.

It does seem that the US is getting forgotten a little. Is there anything stopping you buying it from Europe?(p&p apart)