Disappointment in local resellers

Sins Availiablity in Australia

from Sins Forums
I live in Cairns, Queensland, Australia and i went into the local EB games store to see if they had Sins Of a Solar Empire. Nope, no luck.(although they did have one copy of Galactic Civ 2). The sales clerk informed me that they had never heard of it, it wasn't in any of their computers and apparently a few people in the last week had been asking about it.

I did the same thing at another store.. "Game" i think it's called, they had all the big games, Civ4, Call of Duty 4, Crysis, but nope, they had never heard of Sins before either and no record of it in any of their computers.

I didn't have a chance to check out the other consumer electronic stores like Harvey Norman, but i'm sure they'd give me the same answer.

I don't know what saddens me more, that the bigger more popular game selling stores don't have it on their catalogue or that the clerks you ask for game advice from have never heard of it.

Side story: I heard of it after reading an article in Penny Arcade, that made me instantly buy it online.

I also wanted to say thank you to Stardock/Iron Clad for releasing it online in digital format so that i *could* actually buy it, i hate it when game distributers don't release games in Australia (for whatever reason) because they don't think it'll sell well, and it makes it difficult to buy games i do like (THQ/Take2 and the Steam fiasco for example).
57,451 views 44 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Yeah, it's sad that almost no distributors outside the US picked up on this game, it's incredible, but they've already told us that no European distributor picked up on it, and it sounds like the same thing happened in Australia. And now it's sold 100k copies in 23 days, according to IGN, so hopefully they'll get distributors for other markets and get the game in stores there soon as well.

You do know that you didn't have to buy it in digital format only, you could have ordered the collector's edition box online and have it shipped to you as well, I'm kind of wishing I did, but I picked it up in stores.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
It's not the devolopers choice where it sells, but rather the distributer.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
It's not the devolopers choice where it sells, but rather the distributer.
Stardock tried to get it distributed . . but who wants to take a chance using valuable shelf space on an unknown game.

Hopefully they change their tune next time Stardock and/or Ironclad come knocking.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
It's not the devolopers choice where it sells, but rather the distributer.Stardock tried to get it distributed . . but who wants to take a chance using valuable shelf space on an unknown game.Hopefully they change their tune next time Stardock and/or Ironclad come knocking.


Heh, not to bang on about Steam, cos already a thread about that, but if they had thought about the fact there are 3 million steam users that see the main page every day, consider the advertising affect that would have had....

I didn't see any shop selling the game, which is a bit sad, considering the number of people that know about it.

This is yet another reason why software piracy happens, because its not 'easy' to get the game.... Half the target audience don't have a credit card, and if their local store doesn't stock it, how else will they get it?

(this isn't any excuse to pirate, but I'm just saying, pirates sometimes do have reason to pirate, if its the only way to get the damn game)
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
The reason it's not in stores in Australia is because Auran (the AU/NZ publisher) isn't releasing it until April. After that, it should be found anywhere Auran games are sold.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I live in Brookline, USA, and my local gamestop had a grand total of one copy since the game came out...it's not just in australia that in store copies are somewhat rare.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
The reason it's not in stores in Australia is because Auran (the AU/NZ publisher) isn't releasing it until April. After that, it should be found anywhere Auran games are sold.


Seems a waste of revenue to me, but i won't pretend to understand business practices so i defer to your judgement. :P
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
Yeah, it's sad that almost no distributors outside the US picked up on this game, it's incredible, but they've already told us that no European distributor picked up on it, and it sounds like the same thing happened in Australia. And now it's sold 100k copies in 23 days, according to IGN, so hopefully they'll get distributors for other markets and get the game in stores there soon as well. You do know that you didn't have to buy it in digital format only, you could have ordered the collector's edition box online and have it shipped to you as well, I'm kind of wishing I did, but I picked it up in stores.


Canadian retailers are selling sins, i've seen one! (yes, only one copy).
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
That's because Canada does everything America does; just better.
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
I work at a gamestop in Tampa Florida and purchased the game only after a coworker had told me that it was supposed to be good, but besides that I have heard nothing about the game, at work or elsewhere. Also since the game came out we have only had the one copy, so now we don't have any left. Also outside of that I have never seen it on a shelf at any other stores... a game this good usually would be advertised a little better, I wonder why they decided not to.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
Online distribution is awesome, especially with the US dollar the way it is at the moment. Games now cost me like 50 bucks instead of 80-90 bucks. I used to just pirate most of my crap, now I can actually afford to buy it (I'm Australian too btw, we really get ripped off by the shops here).

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
I've said this everywhere, but after contacting EBAus, they told me they had Sins scheduled for a 16th April release. It IS coming out! DON'T WORRY!
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
April 16th? Thats fricking ages away. WTH.

I'm going to play it a bit more before I decide to buy it, I don't think its what I imagined :(
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
April 16th? Thats fricking ages away. WTH.I'm going to play it a bit more before I decide to buy it, I don't think its what I imagined - Thelen SharSF


Yet another confessed pirate if I read your statement correctly. Hmmm... what would happen on other forums when such a statement is made??? It would also help if one defines just what they imagined.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
Canadian retailers are selling sins, i've seen one! (yes, only one copy).



yeah, i was lucky to get the only copy at the EB games in gatineau canada. Although the futureshop website lists that there are some available at the local one, good thing !

Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
I work at a gamestop in Tampa Florida and purchased the game only after a coworker had told me that it was supposed to be good, but besides that I have heard nothing about the game, at work or elsewhere. Also since the game came out we have only had the one copy, so now we don't have any left. Also outside of that I have never seen it on a shelf at any other stores... a game this good usually would be advertised a little better, I wonder why they decided not to.


because unlike other big companies(coughEAcough), they dont have the pure random luck of swimming in a sea of disposable cash so it's a bit harder to advertise. Plus, with the beta testing they did, word of mouth from the community is the best advertisement anyone could ask for. Someone personally recommending a game is FAR more effective then a 50 million $ advertising campaign. Proof, look at the sales charts that are in sins favor :P
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
Yet another confessed pirate if I read your statement correctly. Hmmm... what would happen on other forums when such a statement is made??? It would also help if one defines just what they imagined.

You said it right there. We annihilate them in SoaSE.
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
Yet another confessed pirate if I read your statement correctly. Hmmm... what would happen on other forums when such a statement is made??? It would also help if one defines just what they imagined.You said it right there. We annihilate them in SoaSE.



I think given that game developers these days are releasing more and more buggy, untested and unfinished games that often outright lie about minimum PC requirements it's not surprising that piracy is becoming more and more acceptable to test whether a game is even playable let alone good.

I certainly wouldn't buy a game unless I'd played it first.
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
I think given that game developers these days are releasing more and more buggy, untested and unfinished games that often outright lie about minimum PC requirements it's not surprising that piracy is becoming more and more acceptable to test whether a game is even playable let alone good.

I certainly wouldn't buy a game unless I'd played it first.


That's true enough, but if you take that point of view you might end up like the pirates in that other post about "copy-protection biting them in the butt" - can't be bothered to go back and get the actual post... :P
I think the point is that if there's a type of copy-protection on the game (obviously Sins doesn't, but this is an example) that checks throughout the gameplay itself whether or not the game is pirated, and, if pirated, it dumps the game, then pirates are going to be thinking "gosh, this game is buggy - I'm not going to buy it," when in actual fact the reason it keeps crashing is BECAUSE they are pirates, and wouldn't do so in a legitimate copy.
In other words, something may come up on a pirated copy that you, the gamer, might see as a bug with the game anyway, but may be an artifact of the copy being pirated...

I don't break the law to see what a game is like. I read reviews. Of both users AND game sites - it provides a good view. Obviously, you'd ignore user reviews like "I hate this game coz it's boring" and look for the reasonably constructed ones.
And if there's a demo, I'd download it :P
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top
I see most of the complaints are about EBgames and Gamestop (same company). I've already emailed several major PC games developers and publishers to complain about an EBgames and Gamestop policy in which they should be sued for. I don't want to tell what it is publicly. Those stores are abysmal though. Trying to find out information about a PC game these days is like talking to a wall. Most of the EBGames/Gametop stores I've visited devote all their space to console games and PC games are sitting on a little free-standing cart next to the bargain bin and all the figurines. Used console games get better positioning than new PC games. Just about every new PC game looks like an elephant had sat on it too and some of the stores jack up their prices by charging you tax twice. I'd rather shop at Walmart and deal with the crowds than shop at EBgames/Gamestop. It's starting to get to the point where I honestly considered digital distribution for a PC game for the first time (I've never bought a game online like that because I have serious longevity-concerns).

Everyone still looking for the game should definitely check out online stores, digital distribution via this site, and non-EBgames/Gamestop stores that carry PC games. The PC game section in Target and Walmart is better than the PC game section in EBgames/Gamestop.
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top
Used console games get better positioning than new PC games.


Because used console games are what keep them in business. New games have slim margins on them, while used games are generally marked up 300-800% over what they paid for the tradeins. Since they no longer accept PC game tradeins (piracy being their chief excuse, IIRC), they only carry enough of them to keep PC gamers coming in the store; any more than that is waste to them. If they thought they could get away with losing the customers who are PC gamers first and console gamers second, I don't doubt they'd eliminate their PC game sales entirely.
Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
Used console games get better positioning than new PC games.Because used console games are what keep them in business. New games have slim margins on them, while used games are generally marked up 300-800% over what they paid for the tradeins. Since they no longer accept PC game tradeins (piracy being their chief excuse, IIRC), they only carry enough of them to keep PC gamers coming in the store; any more than that is waste to them. If they thought they could get away with losing the customers who are PC gamers first and console gamers second, I don't doubt they'd eliminate their PC game sales entirely.
Yeah, I agree with this and know of it firsthand. These companies make ridiculous cash off the whole used and trade-in programs. I was an EBGames assistant store manager for a whole 2.5 days many many years ago and recall giving someone $10 for a game and then turning around to put it on the shelf for $40.

That's not why I quit so fast though. It was the lack of lunch breaks, breaks in general, and the "no going to the bathroom" policy .When I apply places these days I actually do ask them if I'm allowed to go to the bathroom during an 8 hour shift because there was one job, that job, which I found out it was against the rules. People think it's funny or a joke until I explain that it actually happened. If my current employer found out (which I'd rather not let them know because I'm sure there's a dispute where I clearly specified I quit due to inhumane business practices but the evil store manager--who was fired after my departure--insists I failed to come in on time--the same excuse she used for the other 10 people that quit before me--which is a bunch of BS since I was always early) there'd probably be some sort of government investigation.
Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

a game this good usually would be advertised a little better, I wonder why they decided not to.

Advertised..how?  2 page spreads in most game magazines? We do that.

In terms of getting editorial preview coverage, that has more to do with the challenge of new titles having a hard time getting such coverage.

We've also had ads at Best Buy, with Walmart, and others.  If you guys have suggestions on where you hear about games that you'd like us to take out ads in, let us know.

Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top
 :LOL: ìl bet the distributers wil wait in line for SINS OF A SOLAR EMPIRE 2!!!