Phoenix Point is another Epic Exclusive!

[Arioch]

That's true, that is the downside.

Still, if people want to act on principle, I applaud that.

Aye, I just hope folk aren’t seeing themselves off by refunding due to the FUD floating around, or without pondering on things for a few days.

They obviously cared about the game enough to stump up cash like me, and I think the game looks so far up my alley it’s knocked the bins over and trod in something squishy.

 

[Backer42]

Didn't you hear? You are not permitted to not like something anymore. Otherwise you are part of a hatemob. No disappointment allowed in this day and age!

The joke is that the PC port of a game I never heard about is now exclusive to some data stealing app and this thread informed me about that, so I commented on it.

Have you had a look at the subReddit? Or the comment sections on various gaming sites reporting on it?

No, I don't need those clickbait sites. That's why I visit the General Gaming section of the Frontier Forums, previously know as the Space/Sci-Fi games section.

 

[Arioch]

The joke is that the PC port of a game I never heard about is now exclusive to some data stealing app and this thread informed me about that, so I commented on it.

It’s not a PC port, it’s a PC game. There is an Xbox port planned, several months after the PC release. The FUD around the Epic launcher, yeah, you might want to disconnect from the internet entirely if that worries you

No, I don't need those clickbait sites. That's why I visit the General Gaming section of the Frontier Forums, previously know as the Space/Sci-Fi games section.

Be wary of only getting your information from one source

Phoenix Point is a spiritual successor to the original XCOM / UFO Enemy Unknown games of the 90’s, made by Julian Gollop and his company Snapshot - he invented the genre back in the day. On the ZX Spectrum, Chaos & Laser Squad rivalled Elite as my most played games. There is a more Lovecraftian vibe with the new game, and the mechanics look to have taken the good stuff from the new X-Com games and given them a bit of a mix with the old games.

Worth taking a look at if you dare use any other website

 

[Backer42]

It’s not a PC port, it’s a PC game.

It's a PC port. With my background in software development I reserve my right to use the technical terms in the correct way.

There is an Xbox port planned, several months after the PC release. The FUD around the Epic launcher, yeah, you might want to disconnect from the internet entirely if that worries you

Nothing worries me at all. I didn't back this stuff and they don't need my money anyway. Tencent has plenty.

BTW: I was on the Internet first, then came the Chinese. I don't see, why I have to disconnect now.

Be wary of only getting your information from one source

Thank you, but I'm completely fine with my diligent selection of sources. I don't need to visit shill sites full of clickbait garbage desperately craving for ad money.

Phoenix Point is a spiritual successor to the original XCOM / UFO Enemy Unknown games of the 90’s, made by Julian Gollop and his company Snapshot - he invented the genre back in the day. On the ZX Spectrum, Chaos & Laser Squad rivalled Elite as my most played games. There is a more Lovecraftian vibe with the new game, and the mechanics look to have taken the good stuff from the new X-Com games and given them a bit of a mix with the old games.

Thanks, but I have had enough of those "spiritual successors" already.

How about inventing some new games with innovative concepts?

 

[Arioch]

It's a PC port. With my background in software development I reserve my right to use the technical terms in the correct way.

So what platform has it been ported from? Or are we talking about fortified wine here? I’ve got some nice ten-year old stuff, if you’re interested.

Nothing worries me at all. I didn't back this stuff and they don't need my money anyway. Tencent has plenty.

BTW: I was on the Internet first, then came the Chinese. I don't see, why I have to disconnect now.

Mate, you’ve already typed most of the triggerwords, you’re already flagged. Disconnect now, smash all Chinese made electrical components using a minimum 12-pound lump hammer, immerse the pieces in light motor oil, burn any books you have by A. A. Milne, and start praying.

Thank you, but I'm completely fine with my diligent selection of sources. I don't need to visit shill sites full of clickbait garbage desperately craving for ad money.
Thanks, but I have had enough of those "spiritual successors" already.
How about inventing some new games with innovative concepts?

Could I interest you in a nice space game, it’s a continuation of an old 80’s game and TenCent only have a 10% shareholding, so even though it’s always online I’m sure it’ll be fine?

 

[Backer42]

Phoenix Point is a spiritual successor to the original XCOM / UFO Enemy Unknown games of the 90’s, made by Julian Gollop and his company Snapshot - he invented the genre back in the day.

Nobody who claims they "invented a genre" actually invented it. Notch didn't invent the "Minecraft" genre either.

They were just at the right place at the right time to be commercial successful with some idea picked from somewhere else. And then rightfully forgotten, because they never had any original ideas to follow up. Remember Notch's second commercially successful game? Yeah, there isn't one. And Gollop's list of recent titles isn't a famous one either.

Some of these guys then saw the crowdfunding hype of this decade as their chance for some "'Member the 90s?" cashgrab. So this story played out exactly as to be expected.

 

[Arioch]

Nobody who claims they "invented a genre" actually invented it.

Julian Gollop did, yup, I was there. UFO was definitely an evolution of his earlier turn-based tactical games, but defo the first strategic geoscape / base management / tactical squad game.

...Gollop’s list of recent titles isn't a famous one either.

Well to be fair, he’s only released Chaos Reborn since forming Snapshot, I quite enjoy it on the iPad. The Tom Clancy game on the 3ds was a fun one, and I thought Assassin’s Creed Liberation did some interesting things with the formula.

 

[Cobra1984]

There's a war on between the PC distribution platforms and indie studios are taking the business decisions that are giving them the best chance of competing and surviving.

It stinks, but that's the reality of it.

Development > publishing > distribution

It's up to the studios to work with a distributor that makes sense for *them*.

Gamers can complain all they want but that's the state of the playing field, the indies will be going after exclusive distribution and it's extraordinarily naive to see this as 'unethical'.

Indies are using every last tool available to compete with a monolithic, mediocre and vastly wealthy industry.

Nobody knows what pc game distribution will look like in 2, 3 or 4 years, it's becoming a battlefield.

 

[Chevy66]

And this is the reason why you backers made this thread? Because of the "internet hate mob"?

You realize that the only thread about this game in this forum was made advertising a store and not losing single word about the game itself and what is it even about. And you making the only noise here dare to blame others?

I started this thread, but I'm not part of any Hate mob, I'm more of a surprised/mildly disappointed mob. I won't be refunding I've already got some games on Epic store. But i don't like the idea of Store exclusives, I'd rather they had a price war

 

[Arioch]

Nobody knows what pc game distribution will look like in 2, 3 or 4 years, it's becoming a battlefield.

Oh for crying out loud! Does that mean it’s an Origin exclusive?

 

[Iron Golem]

It’s not a PC port, it’s a PC game. There is an Xbox port planned, several months after the PC release. The FUD around the Epic launcher, yeah, you might want to disconnect from the internet entirely if that worries you


Be wary of only getting your information from one source

Phoenix Point is a spiritual successor to the original XCOM / UFO Enemy Unknown games of the 90’s, made by Julian Gollop and his company Snapshot - he invented the genre back in the day. On the ZX Spectrum, Chaos & Laser Squad rivalled Elite as my most played games. There is a more Lovecraftian vibe with the new game, and the mechanics look to have taken the good stuff from the new X-Com games and given them a bit of a mix with the old games.

Worth taking a look at if you dare use any other website

I played a multi genre mashup in 1990 called Buck Rogers - Countdown to Doomsday. It was my second space game after Solaris on Atari. It did everything Xcom ever did and lots more. Doomsday is one of my favorite games of all time.

If you think this guy invented the genre you should expand your horizons.

 

[amigacooke]

I played a multi genre mashup in 1990 called Buck Rogers - Countdown to Doomsday. It was my second space game after Solaris on Atari. It did everything Xcom ever did and lots more. Doomsday is one of my favorite games of all time.

If you think this guy invented the genre you should expand your horizons.

It appears to be a RPG, not sure that really counts.

 

[Arioch]

I played a multi genre mashup in 1990 called Buck Rogers - Countdown to Doomsday. It was my second space game after Solaris on Atari. It did everything Xcom ever did and lots more. Doomsday is one of my favorite games of all time.

If you think this guy invented the genre you should expand your horizons.

I vaguely remember playing it on my Amiga, I didn’t remember enjoying it as much as the earlier Laser Squad. At the risk of going all NoTrueScotsman, I can’t recall any strategic layer base building stuff, though there was flying around in a spaceship.

I think I’ll stick with Julian Gollop as my answer to, “who started the xcom genre?”

 

[Iron Golem]

I vaguely remember playing it on my Amiga, I didn’t remember enjoying it as much as the earlier Laser Squad. At the risk of going all NoTrueScotsman, I can’t recall any strategic layer base building stuff, though there was flying around in a spaceship.

I think I’ll stick with Julian Gollop as my answer to, “who started the xcom genre?”

Well if you don't remember the tactical battles that were the meat of the game that doesn't mean gallop invented them four years later.

 

[Chevy66]

Chess has had tactical battles for centuries

 

[Iron Golem]

Chess has had tactical battles for centuries

I'm sure they pushed pebbles around on the cave floor. Thanks Julian

 

[Arioch]

Well if you don't remember the tactical battles that were the meat of the game that doesn't mean gallop invented them four years later.

What, the tactical battles like from Laser Squad two years earlier in 1988? Or Rebelstar Raiders that came out in 1984? And Rebelstar(1986)? And Rebelstar II (1988)? Those kind of tactical battles?

Just going to check who made those games...hmmm, yup.

 

[Backer42]

There's a war on between the PC distribution platforms and indie studios are taking the business decisions that are giving them the best chance of competing and surviving.
Gamers can complain all they want but that's the state of the playing field, the indies will be going after exclusive distribution and it's extraordinarily naive to see this as 'unethical'.
Indies are using every last tool available to compete with a monolithic, mediocre and vastly wealthy industry.

I simply avoid those Western "indie" shovelware studios. They have nothing new to bring to the table anyway.

Nobody knows what pc game distribution will look like in 2, 3 or 4 years, it's becoming a battlefield.

I already know how it will look like and I don't care.

I started this thread, but I'm not part of any Hate mob, I'm more of a surprised/mildly disappointed mob. I won't be refunding I've already got some games on Epic store. But i don't like the idea of Store exclusives, I'd rather they had a price war

Digital distribution stopped price competition on PC completely. We now have publisher fixed regional pricing and a large grey market (key trading with regional locking). One of the reasons why console games are now cheaper* than PC games where I live, because in retail there is still actual competition and marking down of older games. This is the reason I stopped "buying" PC ports completely. Even the PC sales suck now (latest example being EA's own one).

Spoiler

*) And they are much cheaper if I consider trade-in value. The trade-in value of PC games is zero.

 

[govny]

I've deleted my Epic account recently. Because of their security that is as solid as Swiss cheese. I had this account for a very long time, used to play UT. Since Fortnite released there was no end to fake login attempts from China, password reset requests, etc. This was happening to thousands and thousands of other people. You don't have to go too far to find feedback on all of this. Epic can't handle their security. Once their platform blew up it all escalated. That's good enough reason to not install "another simple client". At least I didn't have my credit card info exposed, since UT was a free game. Not to mention that the client itself is terrible.

there is a two factor autentication, to access your account you have to insert a code given via email so how someone else can access you account?

 

[Arioch]

With all the brouhaha about the 12 month Epic exclusivity of Phoenix Point, I thought I’d share my experience with the Epic launcher, which I got purely for the free games that are offered for limited periods, namely Subnautica, What Remains of Edith Finch and Thimbleweed Park.

I downloaded the installer, installed it, entered my email address, and replied to the confirmation email. Now I know the security conscious might be worried because we’re only allowed one email each and they’ve got to have your proper real details honest, hold on... no, that’s not right, ignore this last bit.

Of the three games I’ve downloaded, two require the launcher running in the background, Thimbleweed Park does not. Phoenix Point has been confirmed by Snapshot Games as not requiring the Epic launcher to run, so if you wanted, you could set up the launcher with a throwaway email, activate the PP game code and install it, then get rid of the launcher.

Let’s say I’m not that concerned about possible nefarious deeds

...though there was that one odd phone call I had...some chap claiming to be a representative of She Gin Pink (that’s what it sounded like, some female-focussed drinks company?), said he’d had a quick look through my steam library and was happy I had no devotion (not sure what that meant), advised me that the only Winnie in the world was a Mandela, and that as I was due a phone upgrade I should ditch the iPhone and get a spanking new Huawei as the cameras are so good they can read your retinas and the microphone can pick up somniloquy from like, the next room.

I’m sure there’s nothing to be worried about.