Hi, I've just purchased all 3 items, the original + Mind + Gold upgrade.

Do I install all 3 in that order?

Yep

Thanks, and for any furture patches I get the updated Gold installer which should include any Mind updates?

I have the following files available:
1) setup_sots_the_pit_2.2.0.6.exe (base game)
2) setup_sots_the_pit_mindgames_2.3.0.14.exe (mind games DLC)
3) patch_sword_of_the_stars_-_the_pit_-_mindgames_2.3.1.17.exe (mind games DLC)
4) setup_sots_the_pit_gold_2.1.0.17.exe (gold edition DLC)

I've installed 1, 2. Tried 3, got errors. Installed 4, tried 3, got errors. What is the correct order to install and was it really necessary to download all those files?

Hm, the only install order that worked for me was the base game first, then the Mindgames DLC and at least the Gold Upgrade.

So far I was not able to install the patch for Mindgames, it always shows an error. Maybe the patch does not need to get installed at all?

Having the same kind of issues. This is the first bad install experience I have had with a GoG game :(.
1) Installed the SotS-ThePit_2.2.0.6.exe - Installs fine but the XNA redistributable fails. It pops up and gives 2 options remove or repair, I pick repair, it starts but pops up a dialog box asking for a disc to be inserted. I press cancel it quits out but the SotS-ThePit game is installed.
2) Installed Mindgames_2.3.0.14 Installs fine.
3) Now I should install the mindgames patch 2.3.1.17 - Patch installs with errors. Patchlog says one file not found for patching, and several files are the incorrect version (like the exe). Now I have no idea if the game is broken or the DLC is installed properly.
4) Now I install the Gold Edition upgrade 2.1.0.17 - It seems to install fine, though one issue, it didn't let me select options, so it put a desktop icon that I didn't want. I selected that option when installing the original SotS-ThePit so it didn't detect that it shouldn't put a desktop icon. Minor issue, but I wanted to make a note of it.
5) Just to make sure of install order I tried to reinstall the mindgames patch. Now that patchlog no longer has that one file not found for patching, but all files are the incorrect version.

I ran the link (BTW there are now 2 of them One listed as Gold one as the Original, but both shortcuts are exactly the same). and the game seemed to start normally, but there is no way to tell if it was really a successful install or if the game will crash at some later point when you play it because of these install issues. So could someone from GoG please fix this mess.

Same thing for me, patch for mindgames could not be installed.
Error log:
Sword of The Stars - The Pit - Mindgames patch log
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\ThePit.exe
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\game_sprites.xnb
File not found (for patching): C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\data\mg\d22.xnb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\ui\achievements_0.xnb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\ui\defaultElements_sprites.xnb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\fx.xwb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\fx.xsb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\tutorial.xsb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\music.xwb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\speech.xwb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\the_pit.xgs
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\tutorial.xwb
Incorrect version of: C:\GOG Games\Sword of The Stars - The Pit\Content\audio\music.xsb

I got errors too... :/

This seemed to work for me

1. setup_sots_the_pit_2.2.0.6
2. setup_sots_the_pit_2.1.017
3. setup_s0ts_the_pit_2.3.0.14

4. setup_sots_the_pit_2.1.017 (Again)
5. setup_sots_the_pit_2.2.0.6 (Again)
6. setup_s0ts_the_pit_2.3.0.14 (Again)
7. patch_sword_of_the_stars_-_the_pit_-_mindgames_2.3.1.17

This method did no produce any error's / patch log from the patch installer.

I think what happened the core game (setup_sots_the_pit 2.2.06) received a patch / newer release, but the gold upgrade hasn't been updated to to reflect the change and it's expecting an older version.

This still leave two game short cuts on the desktop, but both point to the same file.

All these files to run, and no official, supported indication of which order to successfully run the things. I can't get the patch to run without error, either.

My only question then, is: Is there a surefire way to know that my copy is running with the Mindgames content?
Currently, the front menu shows as Gold Edition, and version. 1.2.3 is in the bottom right corner - Is that how it should be? I used the earlier advice of installing the lot to a not-default folder, to avoid the patch error...but, that patch isn't installing anyway.

See if you can select Ranger when you start a new game. Thank you dude!
I'm disapointed with GOG... hope next time they test things properly, before making promos!! >:(

Yes this did it. It looks like it doesn't like to have a long directory name lol. I removed the spaces and changed the default install to SotS-ThePit and it installed fine. I still get the XNA framework error, but I know I have that installed already so I just canceled the XNA setup.

I installed Basic, Mindgames and Gold and could not apply the patch so far. When I start the game the main screen says "The Pit GOLD" and the version number in the lower right corner is "1.2.3.". I have the "Seriously?" difficulty, the playable aliens and the psionic powers, so I guess everything is where it should be.

Although I must say that I never installed the game into the original "Gog.com" folder, but in a folder called "Gogcom" instead. Some games have problems with the original folder name anyway, so I always install my games into "Gogcom".

I can confirm that changing default install path to something shorter magically fixes all of the installer problems.

Order that worked for me:

Uninstall existing version!
Install SOTS to directory "C:\GOG Games\SOTS - The Pit"
Install Mind Games
Install Mind Games patch
Install Gold Edition

DONE! Hooray!

I have to gripe a bit at any blues watching this thread.. this install was a tremendous fail! My first GOG game with DLC and I'm kind of leery of buying more in the future.. feels like the second we move beyond a simple setup+patch there has to be trickery involved to get it working.. not good! :|