Yeah... Now how does EA have a say in this again?

This is the PUBLISHER to decide wheter the game should be bundled or sold separately.

Well Dragon Storm was originally an expansion pack requiring original game, and GoG miraculously sells a standalone version. And since GoG does not get the source code, they can't make similar adjustments. I mean, if they wanted, they could still sell betrayal games separately!

And when we put this aside, the only dangerous precedent they set was one where they started to bundle stuff to their games for free: Precisely because of idiotic criticism.

JoWood is the publisher for this game, not EA.

But shadi is right: EA has set a precedent for other publishers to offer games without expansions or extras. It's bad for GOG. But everyone's too damn happy that EA is here at all to care about the possible ramifications.

If enough people protest in a courteous, professional manner, GOG may change the way the game is sold. All it takes is some declining sales. Quit acting like this release is set in stone. They changed the pricing for Arx Fatalis, they added the original Broken Sword, and have done other changes to previously offered games.

Give them some time.

Don't bring a new price point... All new games would be 19,99$ !!

Comparing GOG with Steam is like comparing apples and oranges. You don't need to tell anyone here that Steam is a rip-off - we all know this. The vast majority of AAA titles on there are available on CD, DVD or even on GOG for much cheaper, but Steam fanbois will insist that Steam is cheaper nonetheless, usually quoting random mid-week madness or weekend offers that last a whole two days in the process.

The problem as I see it is that it is a indication of GOG's getting slightly arrogant in the face of community loyalty, something that seems to happen to a lot of publishers and distributors over time. This is perhaps the first example of a title I've seen where GOG has actually been one of the if not the most expensive provider (Witcher 2 notwithstanding). I don't doubt that they are well aware of the fact that Spellforce 2 plus expansion is around €10 in retail stores all over Europe, and it seems to me like they are relying solely on community sympathy such as yours and their anti-DRM credentials to sell it.

To be honest, my beef is not the fact that GOG has not bundled the expansion pack with the original. If they had sold Gothic 2 for $5 and then Night of the Raven for another $5, I wouldn't have minded too much.

Unfortunately, in the face of hard competition, GOG in this case just does not cut it. Most people spend their money here because GOG is a good service provider that supplies good games at good prices without DRM, not out of some misguided and unfounded loyalty.

In the event that GOG should switch to DRM or cease being so competitive on price, they will most likely switch to another provider. This doesn't make them traitors, rather it makes them quite normal consumers.

So please stop with your condescending insinuations that those who object to this are somehow Steam fanboys betraying the noble GOG cause. GOG is a business like any other and is not immune to criticism.

You're not reading or not comprehending what I wrote. This is not a EA release. This is a JoWood game. The comments about EA referenced the recent EA releases (Alpha Centauri, etc). Don't have the time or desire to argue, tho. Already running a bit late, just dropped in to check on my contest. Got sidetracked here. ;-)

Really now.

But shadi is right: EA has set a precedent for other publishers to offer games without expansions or extras. It's bad for GOG. But everyone's too damn happy that EA is here at all to care about the possible ramifications.

Tell me what I missed? Please tell me. You said you agree EA set a precedent for all others to follow and I've said no precedent has been set because Jowood are selling the game + expansion for the same price it's sold everywhere else. EA could have bundled the expansions with Magic Carpet etc and this STILL would have happened.

Geeeeeez you guys!

Just a reminder for those saying that ebay and the like can sell games for less - remember a heck of a lot of those ultra cheap games sales are Bargain Bins - they are old stock bought ages ago that the shop has failed to sell and are now trying to get rid of in a super fast way to save on space.

GoG is not trying to, not would survive as a viable company, if they pitched their pricing structure at the bargain bin level.

Furthermore I'm sure GoG would love to release each title complete with all expansions in a single package (take a look at Disciples 2 - all 3 standalones in a single package along with the original game). However They are not the ones that make the final call - that is the publisher(s) who hold the rights over the distribution of the games. I am sure GoG fights to get the best deals possible, but in the end the publishers have the upper hand - if GoG wants to release the game they have to play by their rules.


edit - the EA point - remember guys GoG release titles roughly at 2 per week - chances are the JoWood deals for release were sorted months ago when JoWood signed up. The delay since then reflecting either limits on the publishing release date set by the publishers; GoG finding place in its distribution calender; fixing compatibility factors (something you DON'T get with the bargain bin ;)).

GoG prices are fair - plus I support them with their aim to get as many games as possible on their service - the ultra old 2bit 2d games through to more modern titles (because all games become old in the end ;)).

Right on, ungrateful it's definitely the correct word here. It's especially troubling seeing folks from the £/$ crowds complaining about the price considering gog's price it's 30% cheaper than on any other DD platform because unlike the other DD platforms gog doesn't screw people over according to their location in this here sphere.

I see it like this:
- To uphold the pricing system GOG are splitting up the product. That is not the standard I'd expect from GOG.
- If there is a need for a new pricing point then introduce it.
- You can buy Spellforce Universe for £5 at Play.com. I'd still buy Spellforce 2 Gold for $9,99 (or $14,99 if that was the price), but I want it as a collection - not individual pieces (and it should be cheaper).

In the entire GOG catalogue there are less than 50 games I haven't bought yet, but that list will lengthen if this is the new GOG policy.

Ahh but we must remember when one deals at the budget market one always gets the scrimpers and the savers and the hagglers who will swear blind that their kids will starve to death unless you shave another £/$ off the price ;)

Okay, so all the Steam lovers out there. Universe bundled spellforce platinum: does NOT work on my computer.
GOG Spellforce Platinum: DOES WORK flawlessly.
Okay. hands up who still wants to buy a blindstone-glitched version of Spellforce 1, which makes it impossible to finish the game! Okay, all you guys go to Steam. NOW!
Rest can stay here and quit whining. GOG actually cares about customers. I am willing to pay some extra to them for that care.