Stardock's new game -- Elemental: War of Magic

**Martok** · 08-16-2010, 02:03

Man, I can't wait for this. Only a couple more weeks til I receive my Limited Edition copy. Woot!

Seriously, I am really looking forward to it. I've wanted a Civ-style 4x fantasy strategy game for a long time now, and Elemental looks like it's going to hit all my "sweet spots".

Originally Posted by Xiahou

As to effect on the game, I've heard that the book will contain a code that can be used to unlock a bonus mini-campaign based on characters in the book.

That's correct; at least, Frogboy (Brad Wardell) himself has said as much.

Not sure if I'll be getting the novel or not. I've found Brad's pretty good when it comes to backstory material for his games, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a decent book.

**Beskar** · 08-16-2010, 02:11

Originally Posted by Martok

That's correct; at least, Frogboy (Brad Wardell) himself has said as much.

Is he related to a certain other froggy? :O

**Martok** · 08-16-2010, 02:45

If he is, I suspect it would come as a huge surprise to them both.

**al Roumi** · 08-17-2010, 10:28

Originally Posted by Martok

Man, I can't wait for this. Only a couple more weeks til I receive my Limited Edition copy. Woot!

Seriously, I am really looking forward to it. I've wanted a Civ-style 4x fantasy strategy game for a long time now, and Elemental looks like it's going to hit all my "sweet spots".

I'm looking forward to it but I'm also kind of swamped. Finishing off an ME2 Sentinel campaign on Hardcore, ascending the learning curve in Vicky and Starcraft is installed although i've not even started a single mission yet!

**frogbeastegg** · 08-19-2010, 18:21

Anyone know if they're going to release a boxed retail version in the UK? I know several US groups are selling it but I can't find the game listed anywhere on UK online shops and the game's official site is not very helpful. The price on Impulse is much too high - £10 more than I'd expect to pay for a PC game! That's the standard edition. If I can't find a cheaper alternative I'll have to pass until impulse run a half price sale or something.

**Martok** · 08-19-2010, 21:14

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

Anyone know if they're going to release a boxed retail version in the UK? I know several US groups are selling it but I can't find the game listed anywhere on UK online shops and the game's official site is not very helpful. The price on Impulse is much too high - £10 more than I'd expect to pay for a PC game! That's the standard edition. If I can't find a cheaper alternative I'll have to pass until impulse run a half price sale or something.

The short answer is, "I don't know." From what I've read so far, though, I'm admittedly not very optimistic.

I don't know how much (if any) you've read of the discussions regarding the game's availability in Europe, but Stardock has already said that -- with the exception of Russia -- they won't be selling Elemental in European brick-and-mortar stores (as it isn't worth the cost of doing so). Supposedly the boxed version will be available via online shops, but that will likely involve extra shipping charges (since it'll probably be shipping from here in the States).

To add to the confusion, however, there seems to be some uncertainty over whether "Europe" in this instance includes the UK. So whether that means Brits might still be able to purchased the boxed version or not is still a bit up in the air. Personally, I wouldn't bet on it, but I'd love to be wrong.

Just to be certain, however, I've put in a specific query on the Elemental forums regarding your question. The guys at Stardock are usually pretty good about replying in a prompt manner, so we'll probably know -- one way or the other -- within the next 24-48 hours.

**frogbeastegg** · 08-20-2010, 16:01

Originally Posted by Martok

Just to be certain, however, I've put in a specific query on the Elemental forums regarding your question. The guys at Stardock are usually pretty good about replying in a prompt manner, so we'll probably know -- one way or the other -- within the next 24-48 hours.

Thanks.

The answer's been posted: no.

Originally Posted by Alh_p

They said in a developper diary that DD was the only way to get the game in europe...

I wonder why? AFAIK the boxed versions of GalCiv2 did well here. [suspicious]Unless they want to cut out the supply of cheaper copies which others in Europe then import? Since the pound went down our websites have reportedly been selling tonnes of games to Europeans taking advantage of the exchange rate.[/suspicious]

Looks like no Elemental for froggy. I know it's a big game with a long lifespan in a relatively niche genre, but so is Victoria 2 and Civ 5, and both are easy to find for £24.99 or less. I can't justify paying so much, especially not when it feels like the price is artificially inflated. Roll on the sales ...

**drone** · 08-20-2010, 17:23

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

I wonder why? AFAIK the boxed versions of GalCiv2 did well here. [suspicious]Unless they want to cut out the supply of cheaper copies which others in Europe then import? Since the pound went down our websites have reportedly been selling tonnes of games to Europeans taking advantage of the exchange rate.[/suspicious]

Who was the European publisher for hardcopy Sins of a Solar Empire? Stardock is a little weird with publishing/distribution outside the US, with Demigod they were the US publisher and either Atari or Take2 did the international. I think GalCiv2 was done by Paradox internationally. Maybe they just don't want to get involved with international brick/mortar distrib.

**frogbeastegg** · 08-20-2010, 18:37

Originally Posted by drone

Who was the European publisher for hardcopy Sins of a Solar Empire?

According to Amazon.uk it was Kalypso media. A quick check of most stardock games shows that Kalypso puiblished them, including the later editions of GalCiv2. Demigod is listed with Namco as the publisher.

I forgot that they used other parties to publish so recently; my version of Sins was the 'pre-order online and get download plus boxed copy in the post' version and it's got their stamp on the box. The pricing back then was a lot saner. Demigod wasn't my kind of thing at all so I pretty much ignored it. The GalCiv2 expansions I got with the download+disc set up, and again Stardock is styled as the publisher. So I thought they'd gone that way as standard after GalCiv2's original release.

Still, I wonder why there's no UK publisher? Games which are an awful lot more obscure and niche find publishers. Kalypso are still around and appear to be doing well; why not reprise the relationship?