Pier Solar may be released soon?!?

[Joe Redifer]

Fonzie is kind of dodging the issue a bit since the CDs work fine on some machines and not on others.  He blames the machine.  I agree with him that if a machine is in 100% perfect working order, the CD will probably work fine.  But if there is even the slightest miscalibration or whatever, you may experience dodgy effects.  I don't think he wants to admit that he has a bad batch.  The CDs are authored in such a way that the title screen track is on the outside of the disc which is hardest to read and also the first screen where anyone will encounter problems.  I also don't think he has a bunch of spare CDs laying around.  A few (or a few dozen), probably, but not hundreds.  He has said on the Pier Solar boards a few times that there will be A LOT of complaints with the discs not working and my guess is not including them is his way of fixing things since he seems conviced the hardware is 100% at fault.  I don't know where he had them pressed.  He is French and the game was manufactured in China.  The discs were probably pressed abroad.  Where was Insanity pressed?  In the US?

If the discs hadn't been gimpy, would have have included them in the reprint?  Good question.  I would think so since that was a major bragging point for them for this whole time.  At least they are keeping the ability there.  I think the CDs would have worked more reliably if they went with redbook audio instead of seeking and streaming PCM.

I am curious how the plastic clamshell box will turn out.  I was disappointed in the cardboard release as I much prefer the plastic box.  I almost want to buy a reprint for the box, but that seems kind of stupid especially when I have a nice color laser printer and a few sports games that cost $1 or so at Goodwill I can sacrifice.

[Arkhan]

I pressed my stuff in Texas.  They were really professional about it.  The delivered a good product, as anyone with the game can attest to.

I mailed one master disc, they said it had a slight imperfection so I sent 10 more and said pick the best one. They said okie dokie,

and a week later 500 Insanity's showed up at my house.

It seems like there is a mixed opinion about the CDs,  The pompous preorderers (Clessy) seem to think THEYRE NOT GIVING YOU IT BECAUSE YOU DON'T DESERVE IT, ONLY WE TRUELY DESERVE IT......and then theres the people who are like "no, the CD is broken so we aren't bothering to ship them again".

Alot of what has been going around is, "the reprint doesn't have the CD, so maybe you should have preordered it.  We knew the reprint wouldn't come with a bunch of extras.   The CD is ENHANCED, so it doesn't really need to be there for the game.  It's an extra feature"

Well if that's truly the case, they shouldn't have bragged and hyped that point for the past couple of years.  The should have expressed that it is optional, and any additional runs may not include the CD

The CD's DO fit in clamshells though.  So it'd be great if they would just come out and say look, our disc is dodgy.  Our bad.

Then, post the ISO themselves on their site and let people make their own.

That's what I woulda done if Insanity showed up f*cked up and couldn't get a repress.

They need to just come out with an official statement about the reprint.  Explain the 10$ price increase with lesser quality packaging, and explain the CD mixup.   Do it right out in the open to shut up all the whining, speculating, and people like Clessy speaking for them and making them look like a bunch of cockpumps

[termis]

I gotta say, I don't understand the whining either.  I totally side with developers on this one.  I mean, it's true - they DON'T owe anyone anything, especially when it's done pro bono.  If they never wanted to manufacture a second batch, well then, so be it.  People are whining and saying they don't want to buy the second batch because of the things not included in the first batch (WHATEVER the extras may be -- that's for the developers to determine - whether it be part of a game/packaging)... well, the preorder folks are the ones who gave up their money first -- you should know about all this very well, Ark.

To be clear, I'm not ordering either batch, as I no longer buy/collect Genesis carts.

All that said, this ordeal definitely could've gone smoother, and there's something to be learned here for homebrew folks.
1) Only take preorders JUST before you go into pressing/manufacturing so you don't get into these delays.
2) You do need to give incentives for those who cough up the cash first, but not enough of it that the folks who didn't preorder/misssed out won't order the second batch. 
3) Do something so that you can easily circumvent people from ebaying the first batch to make a profit off your work.

[Mathius]

Termis, you should really at least try the game out if there is an XBOx Live release. It really is truly spectacular. All I was disappointed with was the lack of color (I thought there would be more ooohs and ahhhs), and the small sprites.


Clessy really does need to think before he opens his mouth. He is a somewhat cool guy about 1/4 of the time though.

As for the whole picture I think this will be a great learning experience for any homebrew projects in the works. Many mistakes were made, but there is just as many lessons learned.

[Arkhan]

I gotta say, I don't understand the whining either.  I totally side with developers on this one.  I mean, it's true - they DON'T owe anyone anything, especially when it's done pro bono.  If they never wanted to manufacture a second batch, well then, so be it.  People are whining and saying they don't want to buy the second batch because of the things not included in the first batch (WHATEVER the extras may be -- that's for the developers to determine - whether it be part of a game/packaging)... well, the preorder folks are the ones who gave up their money first -- you should know about all this very well, Ark.

Yeah the thing of it is, they flaunted their CD feature as the biggest showcase.  So to not include it in print 2, along with a downgraded quality booklet, for TEN EXTRA BUCKS, really does suck.  Mix in the tone that is mostly being given, and yeah it definitely sucks.  They need to give concrete reasons for what they've done on print 2 instead of just saying "tough shit".

Why no CD?  Is it because you don't want the print2 people to have it, or is it really just because the CD didn't come out right, and you don't want to deal with it
Why 10$ more?  Is this to turn a bit of profit since people are doing this on eBay with copies?  If it was sold at cost, the new print can't possibly cost more.  It's less quality, and no CD.  A 35$ pricetag for print 2 should still be profiting them.

The no poster, I get.  That and the color manual, or the stickers being omitted in print 2 would be a nice way of saying heres print 2, you don't get posters/stickers because you didn't preorder.  Those are the kind of extra preorder incentives the entire world is used to.  Goony little gimmicks that don't have anything to do with the actual game experience.   I gave out lightscribed soundtracks.  That's it. They look cool, have the tunes on it, and if you didn't get one, oh well.  Burn a copy off your friend!  Rip it out of the game disc itself. 

I'm not really ticked beyond belief about print 2.  A b&w manual is fine, and I prefer the clamshell also.  Who cares about the poster, someones going to scan it and ill just kinko's my own poster.  I still get the stickers. 
The lack of CD sucks, but if its because theyre really just badprints, OK then.   I'd still like one for posterity.

They need to just EXPLAIN wtfs up.

the 10$ price increase though, yeah thats pretty lame.  I don't like that part.

All that said, this ordeal definitely could've gone smoother, and there's something to be learned here for homebrew folks.
1) Only take preorders JUST before you go into pressing/manufacturing so you don't get into these delays.
2) You do need to give incentives for those who cough up the cash first, but not enough of it that the folks who didn't preorder/misssed out won't order the second batch. 
3) Do something so that you can easily circumvent people from ebaying the first batch to make a profit off your work.

Done, Done, and Done.

 

[Emerald Rocker]

I paid money for Insanity, and now I find out a bunch of people got it for free.

Boy, I feel ripped off.

[BlueBMW]

I paid money for Insanity, and now I find out a bunch of people got it for free.

Boy, I feel ripped off.

I paid $45 twice for two copies of sapphire.... then some goon gave a bunch away for free.... wtf!?

[Arkhan]

I paid money for Insanity, and now I find out a bunch of people got it for free.

Boy, I feel ripped off.

you paid 25$ for a promo CCAG copy to review it back before I even lowered the pressed release price, or started giving them away for free.

Do you want a free one?  I don't think you ever got a white case copy.  Just say the word, lol  I know you'll just get it and make fun of it with your pals, but its cool.  You can do what you want with it!  Use as a coaster!

Throw it at a wall!  Sell it on ebay !  I dont care


I know you're trying to troll since that's your favorite PCEFX passtime, but you DO fall under the criteria of "PCEFX forum member who didn't get one yet", so.....

[termis]

I gotta say, I don't understand the whining either.  I totally side with developers on this one.  I mean, it's true - they DON'T owe anyone anything, especially when it's done pro bono.  If they never wanted to manufacture a second batch, well then, so be it.  People are whining and saying they don't want to buy the second batch because of the things not included in the first batch (WHATEVER the extras may be -- that's for the developers to determine - whether it be part of a game/packaging)... well, the preorder folks are the ones who gave up their money first -- you should know about all this very well, Ark.

Yeah the thing of it is, they flaunted their CD feature as the biggest showcase.  So to not include it in print 2, along with a downgraded quality booklet, for TEN EXTRA BUCKS, really does suck.  Mix in the tone that is mostly being given, and yeah it definitely sucks.  They need to give concrete reasons for what they've done on print 2 instead of just saying "tough shit".

Why no CD?  Is it because you don't want the print2 people to have it, or is it really just because the CD didn't come out right, and you don't want to deal with it
Why 10$ more?  Is this to turn a bit of profit since people are doing this on eBay with copies?  If it was sold at cost, the new print can't possibly cost more.  It's less quality, and no CD.  A 35$ pricetag for print 2 should still be profiting them.

The no poster, I get.  That and the color manual, or the stickers being omitted in print 2 would be a nice way of saying heres print 2, you don't get posters/stickers because you didn't preorder.  Those are the kind of extra preorder incentives the entire world is used to.  Goony little gimmicks that don't have anything to do with the actual game experience.   I gave out lightscribed soundtracks.  That's it. They look cool, have the tunes on it, and if you didn't get one, oh well.  Burn a copy off your friend!  Rip it out of the game disc itself. 

I'm not really ticked beyond belief about print 2.  A b&w manual is fine, and I prefer the clamshell also.  Who cares about the poster, someones going to scan it and ill just kinko's my own poster.  I still get the stickers. 
The lack of CD sucks, but if its because theyre really just badprints, OK then.   I'd still like one for posterity.

They need to just EXPLAIN wtfs up.

the 10$ price increase though, yeah thats pretty lame.  I don't like that part.

All that said, this ordeal definitely could've gone smoother, and there's something to be learned here for homebrew folks.
1) Only take preorders JUST before you go into pressing/manufacturing so you don't get into these delays.
2) You do need to give incentives for those who cough up the cash first, but not enough of it that the folks who didn't preorder/misssed out won't order the second batch. 
3) Do something so that you can easily circumvent people from ebaying the first batch to make a profit off your work.

Done, Done, and Done.

 

I dunno, the lower price for preorder version makes good sense to me.  Think about it this way -- you know those 3 learning points I put up for homebrewers above?  Well, a lower price just for the preorder version easily takes care of points #2 and #3.  The lower price entices people to put their money up for manufacturing costs, and rewards them with a lower game cost for the faith that they put in to the developers. 

I don't know if that's actually the case for Pier Solar, but you know what, you can consider doing something like that for your next release.   Besides, EVEN IF they're releasing the 2nd batch for profit, bottom line is, it's their prerogative.

And though Emerald has a bit of a sharp tongue, he does have a point.  Perhaps you just want to start clearing some of your extra stock, and you'd rather have people have your work than not, even if it means no extra $$ for you.  That's mighty cool of you and all, but can/will irk some people that paid good money for it (especially those who paid for "regular" editions) -- Think about a way to make it to these folks that paid $$$ if you're giving copies away now - perhaps a small discount for later releases?  And continuing on that, for the arcade release, why not price it at a much lower point where you can clear stock without having to give shitloads of copies away later?  That'd be a win-win situation for all involved.

[TheClash603]

I paid for a copy of Insanity, and I got to participate in the contest because of it.  Although I didn't get the soundtrack, but I'll live.

I assume Arkhan will blow me if we ever meet?

[ParanoiaDragon]

On a slightly different topic, ...am I the only one here that hasn't received there Genesis version yet?  I don't recall seeing a tracking number in any of my emails, did anyone else get a number to track?

[Mathius]

On a slightly different topic, ...am I the only one here that hasn't received there Genesis version yet?  I don't recall seeing a tracking number in any of my emails, did anyone else get a number to track?

No I don't believe that they are tracking them. I am sure your copy will arrive soon.

[Joe Redifer]

Paranoia Dragon, I have not received mine yet, either.  I think quite a few US people haven't.

Anyway, a lot of stuff here has been posted since I last visited, but I'm not going to address or even read everything.

The CD's DO fit in clamshells though.

A naked disc without a sleeve BARELY fits in the case.   Put a standard paper sleeve on it and it will not fit.  You'd have to get a damn tiny sleeve.

post the ISO themselves on their site and let people make their own.

I doubt they want to pay for all of the bandwidth.  Plus, they'd have to have different versions for different programs.  In my experience, an ISO created with TOAST may not burn properly on Nero or Discjuggler or whathaveyou.

[Arkhan]

I dunno, the lower price for preorder version makes good sense to me.  Think about it this way -- you know those 3 learning points I put up for homebrewers above?  Well, a lower price just for the preorder version easily takes care of points #2 and #3.  The lower price entices people to put their money up for manufacturing costs, and rewards them with a lower game cost for the faith that they put in to the developers. 

I don't think that was really the case though.  This would be a good point if some of the first wave was available post-preorder also, for say, 45$. These weren't preorders per se.  These were the whole stock, buy in advance. 

I don't know if that's actually the case for Pier Solar, but you know what, you can consider doing something like that for your next release.   Besides, EVEN IF they're releasing the 2nd batch for profit, bottom line is, it's their prerogative.

Yeah, it is their prerogative. Its just kinda bleh.  If they were at cost the first time at 35, and this one has less cost than the first, upping it an extra 10$ is a nice punch to peoples faces.   Yeah they can do it, it just looks kinda lame since they were all WERE NOT DOING IT FOR PROFIT.

It seems like the ebay shenanigans have changed their mind about that.

The only reason I threw my shit up on eBay is because of Roy being a jackass.  People I've never heard of (ie not PCEFXers) emailed me asking wtf was going on.  It wasn't even to "profit".  It was to stop people from being duped by a retard.

That and, the real copies are up now because apparently some people don't go to here, and have nfi you can just buy the game off my site.

And though Emerald has a bit of a sharp tongue, he does have a point.  Perhaps you just want to start clearing some of your extra stock, and you'd rather have people have your work than not, even if it means no extra $$ for you.  That's mighty cool of you and all, but can/will irk some people that paid good money for it (especially those who paid for "regular" editions) -- Think about a way to make it to these folks that paid $$$ if you're giving copies away now - perhaps a small discount for later releases?  And continuing on that, for the arcade release, why not price it at a much lower point where you can clear stock without having to give shitloads of copies away later?  That'd be a win-win situation for all involved.

Well, I gave alot of free ones away to the contest people,and anyone on PCEFX who asked post-RoyVegas retardation.  Consider it a PCEFX perk.   To those who BOUGHT it here, most of you were preorderers and got your special incentive one w/ soundtrack.  If anyone on here is really that irked, let me know, and we can figure something out.... though I really doubt the PCEFX crew is going to be like WTF, DICK.

and uh, I believe you were the one who suggested/agreed on the 30$ price point, lol.

I have some ideas in store for the Retrocade, I really do.  Awesome ideas.

I know who preordered/bought stuff, its all on record.  So we will see what happens. 


I'm not getting rid of the Insanity's to clear the stock out.  The stack of boxes makes a nice end table, so i'd hate to see it go.   Some people just really wanted to play the game and were like DANG MAN I CANT AFFORD IT, and to be honest, the PCEFX forum here is too legit to not hook people up, especially when we get shafted constantly.

[Joe Redifer]

This would be a good point if some of the first wave was available post-preorder also, for say, 45$.

The posterity edition preordered for $50, I believe.  That gets your name in the game and a box that says "posterity edition" underneath the cart.  That's it, I believe.