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Author Topic:   Release date for SMACX

Krushala posted 09-23-99 09:27 PM ET
I remember hearing OCT2 which is coming up pretty fast or maybe it was NOV2. I was wondering if anyone heard a timeframe.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 09-24-99 10:22 AM ET
It's in final test at EA, so it looks likely for October. Nothing is set until it's "gone gold" however..
jkm
firaxis games
Hydro posted 09-24-99 10:38 AM ET
Thanks for the update Jeff!
Velociryx posted 09-24-99 10:49 AM ET
I am looking forward to it.....and sometimes I don't think it gets said enough, but one thing is crystal clear: SMAC really is a good game. Yes, there are some things that could stand a bit of tweaking yet, but on balance, the guys at Firaxis have done a really good job with it.
I say this for two reasons: First, because I know that I'm not the only one on these boards who is, after months of playing, still a SMAC junkie....talk about re-play value....
And second, even the harshest and most continual critics of the game keep coming back to these forums day in and day out....SOMETHING keeps drawing them in, and I seriously doubt that it's simply because they have nothing else to do....Most of the game's harshest critics are quite sharp, and I think that deep down, they really, really care about the game, or they'd simply find a new forum to spend time on. That too, says a lot.
So anyway, in the words of Brother Lal: "My hat is off to you...."

-=Vel=-
-=Vel=-
yin26 posted 09-24-99 11:22 AM ET
Velociryx,
I agree that the critic plays an important, if hard to swallow, part in all this. The trick for the critic is to make himself understood while still showing appreciation for other things. That's a hard but important balance, otherwise the "Well, why are you still here?" questions pop up.
SMAC is a good game. Could have been so much better, but that can be said about anything in life. However, I truly hope Civ3 builds on the SMAC experience both on and off these forums and reaches a much higher level.
Velociryx posted 09-24-99 12:02 PM ET
Well spoken, Yin, and I share those hopes also....
-=Vel=-
Lee Johnson posted 09-26-99 04:38 PM ET
Final test? Holy farg! I guess I wasn't expecting SMACX so soon. Well, here's hoping the testing goes smoothly. ;-)
laurens posted 09-27-99 10:24 AM ET
Isn't it a bit too fast?
I believe the longer they take, the more suggestions/flaming/criticisms that firaxis listens to, the better the game will be - of course, not like the case for Diablo II
Take a look at the 3 new factions. Are they 'rushed' products?
Cheers
BusterMan posted 09-27-99 04:23 PM ET
I don't know about the first two being "rushed" (except for the second's name) but the third one is absolutely rediculous! And also if the games coming out next saturday, then why is Firaxis still hiding four factions?
-Parker
SailorUranus posted 09-27-99 04:32 PM ET
If I remember correctly, Firaxis was supposed to reveal a new faction each week, but they've since fallen behind schedule. However, I'll bet you anything they already have all of the factions done (save for a little fine tuning).
But, I doubt Oct. 2 will be the release date though. Firaxis needs time to advertise the upcoming release of the expansion pack. Oct. 16 is a more likely release date... or even Nov. 2...
SailorUranus posted 09-27-99 04:57 PM ET
I should've looked at Adrenaline Vault's site first...
SMACX's release date is currently listed as October 19th.
master k posted 09-28-99 02:55 AM ET
because it was a realy good (and long) summer, i didnt play smac for weeks. but now, with the start of fall, i began a new game and ... hm, after one session i didnt want to continue, because it was all so well-known. i hope that smacx will soon be published, so that i can survive the forthcoming winter by rediscovering alpha centauri.
master k
PrinceBimz posted 09-28-99 06:57 AM ET
I also have to say yes SMAC is an excellent game! Firaxis has done a great job here and I hope they continue bringing us great games like this for a long time!
BusterMan posted 09-28-99 03:39 PM ET
To SailorUranus:
Advertise??? What? Why would they bother advertising for an expansion pack? I have never even seen an ad for Alpha Centauri except in some other games! I have also never seen an ad for any sort of expansion pack to any game! They are not going to advertise, and oh by the way, i would think that if the game was in EA's final testing that they would also have all of the factions done (as published in the video game magazine: DUH).
-Parker
jsorense posted 09-28-99 04:40 PM ET
It has just been announced at firaxis.com that SMACX has gone gold.
http://www.firaxis.com/PRreleases/smacx.cfm
SailorUranus posted 09-28-99 11:28 PM ET
Ah, so it has gone gold... that answers most of the questions save for at least one: Why has the Firaxis webmaster fallen behind on revealing the new factions with thier stories.
Anyhoo...
BusterMan, couldn't you have acted any more anal-retentive? Firaxis needs to advertise to keep SMACX from going from the store's front shelves to the bargain bin in a day. Everyone, tell me, would you have heard about SMACX if you did not read these forums or visited the SMAC website?
yin26 posted 09-29-99 01:21 AM ET
I imagine they assume only the die-hard fans will care anyway. In a few months, I'm sure we'll see a SMAC+SMACX bundle pack for the uninitiated.
However, I think Firaxis is so busy making games that they haven't alloted enough time to promote them. I suppose that's the publisher's fault, but lack of exposure (even for an expansion pack) will obviously hurt Firaxis, too.
Anyway, once it's released, I'm sure all the gaming sites will announce it. And since I can't imagine spending actual dollars on a print campaign for SMACX, the word-of-mouth approach makes sense.
Now Civ3 on the other hand...They should promote that sucker right down to Civ3 toilet paper (historical factoid of the day version).
UEC posted 09-29-99 09:24 PM ET
I think Alpha Centauri was advetised in Discover magazine last summer.(May have been Popular science)
President Metzler
United Emperial Confederation
BusterMan posted 09-29-99 09:49 PM ET
Ohh wait, i do recall seeing an Ad in some video magazine (not DUH) that turned me on to the whole game.
My thoughts 5 months ago: "Hmm, a semisequel to Civilization2, I'm hands down buying it!"
Sorry i guess i was just thinking about tv ads. they should have advertised in mags but its getting late to do that.
-Parker
Darkstar posted 09-30-99 02:30 PM ET
Well, since they put so much stock in Hype, I bet you ARE going to see a lot of ads... ad spots on game sights, ads in game mags, that sort of thing. Just like with SMAC. Just not as long. All of October, and a little of November, maybe. Not the long dance of Hype we saw for SMAC, but then, they have other things on their corporate mind.
-Darkstar
Jimmy posted 10-04-99 05:05 PM ET
Shut up! Shut up!
I posted the release date first!
Give me the credit!
Give me the credit!
I deserve a little fame, not all you retards!
Besides, the real release is for SMACK Ramen noodles, not some silly game addend.
Jimmy posted 10-05-99 09:04 AM ET
I am the real Jimmy. I nver posted the previous post. Who is playing around with my username? Show yourselves!
Darkstar posted 10-05-99 12:57 PM ET
Jimmy, if that isn't you, someone has your UserName and Password. It's the same profile with # of posts and stuff.
-Darkstar
Jimmy posted 10-05-99 12:59 PM ET
I know, that is why I will change my username and password.
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


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Author	Topic: Release date for SMACX
Krushala	posted 09-23-99 09:27 PM ET I remember hearing OCT2 which is coming up pretty fast or maybe it was NOV2. I was wondering if anyone heard a timeframe.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 09-24-99 10:22 AM ET It's in final test at EA, so it looks likely for October. Nothing is set until it's "gone gold" however.. jkm firaxis games
Hydro	posted 09-24-99 10:38 AM ET Thanks for the update Jeff!
Velociryx	posted 09-24-99 10:49 AM ET I am looking forward to it.....and sometimes I don't think it gets said enough, but one thing is crystal clear: SMAC really is a good game. Yes, there are some things that could stand a bit of tweaking yet, but on balance, the guys at Firaxis have done a really good job with it. I say this for two reasons: First, because I know that I'm not the only one on these boards who is, after months of playing, still a SMAC junkie....talk about re-play value.... And second, even the harshest and most continual critics of the game keep coming back to these forums day in and day out....SOMETHING keeps drawing them in, and I seriously doubt that it's simply because they have nothing else to do....Most of the game's harshest critics are quite sharp, and I think that deep down, they really, really care about the game, or they'd simply find a new forum to spend time on. That too, says a lot. So anyway, in the words of Brother Lal: "My hat is off to you...." -=Vel=- -=Vel=-
yin26	posted 09-24-99 11:22 AM ET Velociryx, I agree that the critic plays an important, if hard to swallow, part in all this. The trick for the critic is to make himself understood while still showing appreciation for other things. That's a hard but important balance, otherwise the "Well, why are you still here?" questions pop up. SMAC is a good game. Could have been so much better, but that can be said about anything in life. However, I truly hope Civ3 builds on the SMAC experience both on and off these forums and reaches a much higher level.
Velociryx	posted 09-24-99 12:02 PM ET Well spoken, Yin, and I share those hopes also.... -=Vel=-
Lee Johnson	posted 09-26-99 04:38 PM ET Final test? Holy farg! I guess I wasn't expecting SMACX so soon. Well, here's hoping the testing goes smoothly. ;-)
laurens	posted 09-27-99 10:24 AM ET Isn't it a bit too fast? I believe the longer they take, the more suggestions/flaming/criticisms that firaxis listens to, the better the game will be - of course, not like the case for Diablo II Take a look at the 3 new factions. Are they 'rushed' products? Cheers
BusterMan	posted 09-27-99 04:23 PM ET I don't know about the first two being "rushed" (except for the second's name) but the third one is absolutely rediculous! And also if the games coming out next saturday, then why is Firaxis still hiding four factions? -Parker
SailorUranus	posted 09-27-99 04:32 PM ET If I remember correctly, Firaxis was supposed to reveal a new faction each week, but they've since fallen behind schedule. However, I'll bet you anything they already have all of the factions done (save for a little fine tuning). But, I doubt Oct. 2 will be the release date though. Firaxis needs time to advertise the upcoming release of the expansion pack. Oct. 16 is a more likely release date... or even Nov. 2...
SailorUranus	posted 09-27-99 04:57 PM ET I should've looked at Adrenaline Vault's site first... SMACX's release date is currently listed as October 19th.
master k	posted 09-28-99 02:55 AM ET because it was a realy good (and long) summer, i didnt play smac for weeks. but now, with the start of fall, i began a new game and ... hm, after one session i didnt want to continue, because it was all so well-known. i hope that smacx will soon be published, so that i can survive the forthcoming winter by rediscovering alpha centauri. master k
PrinceBimz	posted 09-28-99 06:57 AM ET I also have to say yes SMAC is an excellent game! Firaxis has done a great job here and I hope they continue bringing us great games like this for a long time!
BusterMan	posted 09-28-99 03:39 PM ET To SailorUranus: Advertise??? What? Why would they bother advertising for an expansion pack? I have never even seen an ad for Alpha Centauri except in some other games! I have also never seen an ad for any sort of expansion pack to any game! They are not going to advertise, and oh by the way, i would think that if the game was in EA's final testing that they would also have all of the factions done (as published in the video game magazine: DUH). -Parker
jsorense	posted 09-28-99 04:40 PM ET It has just been announced at firaxis.com that SMACX has gone gold. http://www.firaxis.com/PRreleases/smacx.cfm
SailorUranus	posted 09-28-99 11:28 PM ET Ah, so it has gone gold... that answers most of the questions save for at least one: Why has the Firaxis webmaster fallen behind on revealing the new factions with thier stories. Anyhoo... BusterMan, couldn't you have acted any more anal-retentive? Firaxis needs to advertise to keep SMACX from going from the store's front shelves to the bargain bin in a day. Everyone, tell me, would you have heard about SMACX if you did not read these forums or visited the SMAC website?
yin26	posted 09-29-99 01:21 AM ET I imagine they assume only the die-hard fans will care anyway. In a few months, I'm sure we'll see a SMAC+SMACX bundle pack for the uninitiated. However, I think Firaxis is so busy making games that they haven't alloted enough time to promote them. I suppose that's the publisher's fault, but lack of exposure (even for an expansion pack) will obviously hurt Firaxis, too. Anyway, once it's released, I'm sure all the gaming sites will announce it. And since I can't imagine spending actual dollars on a print campaign for SMACX, the word-of-mouth approach makes sense. Now Civ3 on the other hand...They should promote that sucker right down to Civ3 toilet paper (historical factoid of the day version).
UEC	posted 09-29-99 09:24 PM ET I think Alpha Centauri was advetised in Discover magazine last summer.(May have been Popular science) President Metzler United Emperial Confederation
BusterMan	posted 09-29-99 09:49 PM ET Ohh wait, i do recall seeing an Ad in some video magazine (not DUH) that turned me on to the whole game. My thoughts 5 months ago: "Hmm, a semisequel to Civilization2, I'm hands down buying it!" Sorry i guess i was just thinking about tv ads. they should have advertised in mags but its getting late to do that. -Parker
Darkstar	posted 09-30-99 02:30 PM ET Well, since they put so much stock in Hype, I bet you ARE going to see a lot of ads... ad spots on game sights, ads in game mags, that sort of thing. Just like with SMAC. Just not as long. All of October, and a little of November, maybe. Not the long dance of Hype we saw for SMAC, but then, they have other things on their corporate mind. -Darkstar
Jimmy	posted 10-04-99 05:05 PM ET Shut up! Shut up! I posted the release date first! Give me the credit! Give me the credit! I deserve a little fame, not all you retards! Besides, the real release is for SMACK Ramen noodles, not some silly game addend.
Jimmy	posted 10-05-99 09:04 AM ET I am the real Jimmy. I nver posted the previous post. Who is playing around with my username? Show yourselves!
Darkstar	posted 10-05-99 12:57 PM ET Jimmy, if that isn't you, someone has your UserName and Password. It's the same profile with # of posts and stuff. -Darkstar
Jimmy	posted 10-05-99 12:59 PM ET I know, that is why I will change my username and password.