Pirates of the Burning Sea

Originally posted by Bountytaker

 

 

 Yeah...I guess I thought that with some time since the last real dev response, maybe the answers had changed a bit.  But, no, they haven't.  It's still the fault of the game stores, and no blame rests witht the developer or the publisher.

So, even though the publisher has the process "down cold", ...

<snip>

The marketing part I was kind of surprised about.  ...There were so many opportunities over the last year to market this game.  The hype around the PotC movie, pirate conventions and fan faires, talk like a pirate day, not one, not two, but three potential release times, the push back of AoC, the push back of WAR....and yet, the coverage has been non-existant.

<snip>

.....because the best/only time to promote an mmo is when there's an open beta to play?!?! 

 

Weird answer, IMO.

I deliberately left comment out of my post so that no-one could accuse me of having an axe to grind against FLS or SOE (which I don't BTW)

But you said it nicely.  Good questions too.

Originally posted by NightCloak

I'm pretty sure budget has a lot to do with this. FLS didnt partner with SOE untill recently. And before that, they were sole controllers of POTBS. They likely didnt market thier product since they may not have had the funding or the projected budget to do it. Its a choice of bringing a CM aboard and try using word of mouth marketing, which they have been doing vs magazine and online ads. 

I'm very sure FLS people thought about it before they got thier hands dirty with SOE.

And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters(I played SWG pre-CU started pub 5 and was scorned myself)?

The missing keys in boxes is true.  In the official pre-order thread on their boards, there were posts describing missing codes.  One guy tried 10 boxes at a Best Buy, and none had codes.  As a matter of fact, Rick posted on these forums confirming the problem, and encouraging people to open boxes at the tore.

As for the marketing...FLS had plans in place long before signing with SOE.  And, theysigned with SOE in the early summer...plenty of time to get a campaign going.  GnH had more markting than PotBC.

Originally posted by NightCloak

...

And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...

These two threads tell the story:

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940

(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)

And this one

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848

Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.

And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350

Originally posted by Gyrus

 

Originally posted by NightCloak

...

And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...

These two threads tell the story:

 

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940

(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)

 

And this one

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848

 

Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.

 

And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350

 

Good job with the proof Gyrus. :)

Originally posted by Bountytaker

 

Obviously, more evidence of the dastardly plot to foil PotBS, ...

But honestly, what a complete PR disaster!
You could not have done a better job if you tried!

Not only are a number of fans disappointed / let down / frustrated / annoyed but then there is the issue of how to clean up the mess?

Not everyone reads forums either, so I wonder how many people have got the pre-order box home and don't realise there is a problem?

You can bet these people will be royally annoyed when they DON'T get their 15 days 'head start' and DON'T get their pre-order benefits.

And how is FLS going to clear all this up?

Customer: How do I get my head start? Where's my parrot?
FLS: Where's your code?
Customer: What code? I never got a code?
FLS: Oh... It should have been in your pre-order box - you need to send it back...
Customer: At whos expense? How long will it take?
FLS: Ummmm..... did you keep your reciept?
Customer: And if I send it back and it takes a week I don't get 15 days head start do I?
FLS: Ummmm....

In a business where you cannot afford to earn a bad reputaion they are well on the way to doing so.  There will be more tears yet over this one.

Originally posted by RickSaada

Because Sony makes money for every retail box sold.  In fact because of our contract with them they make more of their money on the boxes (where they do a lot of work with manufacturing and distribution) and almost none on the back end (where they only do billing).  They are therefore incented to get lots of boxes out on store shelves.  And pre-order sales have an effect on how many retail copies a store or chain orders.  So poor pre-order sales don't make SOE happy any more than us, as that may affect their later box profits.  Which is why they're working to fix the current situation as quickly as possible.     

I'm having a serious problem understanding this whole preorder thing. I tried to order two copies from Amazon.com* for me and my husband. I was refused, because of 'regional restrictions'. I am Dutch (very definitely Europe), and as you say SOE is the distributor for the US AND Europe.  In other words, it shouldn't matter if I order it at Amazon.com. The major game stores (both internet and physical) in this country aren't even listing the game as a coming release, by the way. I just called one of the biggest (Dynabyte), and they haven't even heard of the game.

 Linna

*Buying at Amazon.co.uk is unappetizing, as they are slow on delivery, AND I'd have to pay in English pounds. Dollars are a lot more attractive with the low dollar course.

 edit: checked Amazon.co.uk AND amazon.com to make sure, and they're selling the regular box, to be released 22-jan. neither mentions any pre-order goodies. great, just great.

Originally posted by Gyrus

 

Originally posted by NightCloak

...

And whats up with this stuff about the pre-order boxes coming w/o CDs and keys? Is there an official source of this or just a rumor spread by SOE haters...

These two threads tell the story:

 

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35940

(Start about post # 88 {By Rev} if you like)

 

And this one

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34848

 

Just posted so you know this is not rumor and SOE bashing - it's established fact.

 

And the initial Pre-Order release also included a misprint in the boxes

http://www.burningsea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35350

 

Thanks. Looked around a little at first but mostly for news releases and not forums. Clears that up.

Shoulda looked harder before opening my mouth.

Well one things for sure, there is no way to offer a 15 day head start once the game launches and therefore no way to make good on that promise to the people who bought preorders and got screwed.

Developers should never sell these types of in-game advantages to entice preorders anyways, as it destroys the concept of a fair level playing field which is a tenet for MMOGs. Players also need to take some responsibility for driving this type of shady marketing, by being greedy and wanting an advantage over retail customers so I don't have any sympathy for anyone who gets hosed by this deal.

I feel bad for the people that get hosed by the deal. A promise was made to them, they took the offer and paid for it, and now its being broken.

Bad business IMO about the QA for SOE.

What I wouldnt give for being a fly on the wall of FLS though. I can imagine comments being made when that news was heard.

If anything(I hope it doesnt happen) goes wrong with release, I am almost willing to bet at least 1 guy at FLS who reads this forum will either say or think "Agricola was right."