if you are going to release incremental updates to a product (N1, N2,
NR1999, 50th Anniversary, Busch pack, N3, truck pack, etc.), use an upgrade
system like many other software vendors do to allow previous purchasers to
buy-in for less. It's an incentive for the existing customers to keep
upgrading and it's fair because they don't have to spend MORE than the
not-yet customers. Basic marketing and customer relations, I would assume,
since it is a very common practise.
Of course, many in this group will buy everything regardless, but try
watching customers in a store looking at N2, NR1999 and N3 all at the same
time and trying to figure out which one they should buy. It's not so easy
to sort through all the choices when you don't follow it as closely as we
do. How many people will know that N3-->N4 is going to be a huge leap in
realism while N2-->N3 is not. If you read the box for N3, you would not
assume it was just N2 3dfx with FFB and a physics tweak.
> Refund everyone that already bought the product some money? You are
saying
> that you do not like this, but you are not even saying there are any other
> possible solutions. The only thing they could do is to put a $120 cost on
> the new package if you want them to go by your philosophy.
> Are you saying they should not put out a Compilation pack at all? Why
not?
> If it helps to bring more people into the sim-racing community, I am all
for
> it. Heck, I would not care if they gave N3 away even though I paid my $50
> for it.
> > I believe you can buy the trucks separately...but for those people who
buy
> > N3, NL and trucks, they are spending more than double the amount the new
> > pack costs. That was my point. Who are your best customers...the ones
> who
> > anticipate your work and buy it right away or the late comers who will
> only
> > purchase a bargain-bin compilation pack? For old stuff, that is the
> > expected pattern. For current product, I don't expect that.
> > Marc.
> > > > I guess in all of the masturbatory fervour regarding F12000 warez
> > > > downloading and testing, an important development has been
overlooked
> > here
> > > > at r.a.s. (though discussed elsewhere).
> > > > From the Papy.com website:
> > > > The NASCAR? Acceleration Pack includes our award winning NASCAR
> Racing?
> > 3,
> > > > NASCAR? Legends, and brand new for 2000: NASCAR? Racing 3 Craftsman
> > Truck
> > > > Expansion Pack. Three top titles in one package for one great
price.
> > > > Does anyone have a problem with this package being released in this
> > > format?
> > > > Or are you all happy that you paid full price for N3 and NL and the
> > > patches
> > > > aren't even out for them yet? I am all for bargain bin compilations
> and
> > > > great deals, but is N4 that close that N3 and NL are just discount
> > titles?
> > > > Something doesn't make sense here?
> > > > I guess I would not want my most loyal early-adopter customers to
have
> > to
> > > > pay more for my CURRENT products than a late adopter. Old stuff,
> fine,
> > > but
> > > > as I said, do N3 and NL qualify as old already?
> > > > Marc.
> > > I for one am not happy with this sales philosophy at all !! I was
> > more
> > > than willing to purchase the Truck expansion pack for $25-30. But I'm
> not
> > > going to buy this package for what must be $50 or more.
> > > I already own Nascar3, don't plan on purchasing Nascar Legends,
but
> I
> > > wanted the trucks. So I guess I'll just pass on this whole deal.
Another
> > > dumb ass merchandising plan by Sierra.
> > > Joel Willstein