Sins of a Solar Empire for $20 at Target

[WhipperSnapper]

(Edit--double post caused by what looks like a DDoS attack.)

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: dakels
My friend wants me to get this. Whats the learning curve on this game for someone experienced with RTSs (warcraft, SC, warhammer)? I heard it's pretty complex.

It does have a learning curve. You need to learn how to play the game and to learn about the three different races and how they interact with one another. If you're an RTS veteran then you'll probably spend about a week playing the game in single player (or online playing humans v. AI) while also scanning through the Sins Strategy discussion forum for older, worthwhile threads. When you're ready to play against other people you'll probably take some lumps for your first few games until you figure out what the skilled players are doing. You'll also need to learn a little bit about Sins unit micromanagement.

Anyway, it's a great game and if you enjoy online multiplayer, you'll probably love it. The online multiplayer is very challenging and there are many skilled human opponents.

Many skilled players are also playing PUG (pickup games) matches now, which is something I introduced to the Sins community from the FPS community. It works like this. Everyone joins Team 10 and two people of about equal skill become team captains. Then they draft the other 8 players in an A-BB-AA-BB-A draft order so that the first captain has the first and last picks. As people are picked they switch to their captains' teams so that the captains can see who's still available (on Team 10). The idea is to end squabbling about who's on what team and to produce two fair, balanced teams which often leads to intense, competitive games on the huge random single star map. They're lots of fun. You'll often see these games formed during Sins prime time with names like "Skilled", "PUG", or "Athilis $ v $" on the huge random single star map. Note that you do want to get a good number of online wins under your belt and onto your player record or the host might conclude that you don't belong in the game (and that you'll bork over the team you end up on) and give you the boot.

 

[Bobartig]

Is this BM only? I still have a GC from Target from when they were giving out $5 digital cameras with purchase of a $50 GC. I love stupid crap. Any rate. I was going to get this online, but target.com has it for $29.99 still.

My local Target is about 10 miles away, but with Bay Area traffic it is a solid 45 minutes or more of driving each way on the weekends. . Saving $10 is not worth 2 hours of my weekend, meaning I'll have to hold off on this one.

 

[dslabby]

Yes this is brick and mortar only. The display in the store has regular price on it ($39.99) and no mention of any markdown, but if you price scan the game (there was a scanner conveniently behind me at my local store) it comes up as $19.99! Grabbed one and was out the door. They had 4 other copies on the shelf here in Lansing MI. This is a great deal on a great game (Just voted IGN and MaximumPC Game of the year) If you want one RUN to your local Target ASAP, before they are gone or the price goes up.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: dslabbyGrabbed one and was out the door. They had 4 other copies on the shelf here in Lansing MI.

Did you know that Stardock's office is in the Detroit area? I had no idea until after I'd purchased the game and went to their website and looked for their contact info.

 

[notposting]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Originally posted by: dslabbyGrabbed one and was out the door. They had 4 other copies on the shelf here in Lansing MI.

Did you know that Stardock's office is in the Detroit area? I had no idea until after I'd purchased the game and went to their website and looked for their contact info.

I had known that, they were mentioned as a victim of our state's inane tax policies (their tax rate jumped a crazy number like 14000% this year), and then I actually saw their place today!

It's off Beck Rd by M14 tucked behind the Mcdonalds next to Compuware Arena, I was at the post office across the street. So I drove over to Target and bought the game.

Installing now...

 

[Fayd]

"i say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. it's the only way to be sure."

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Fayd
"i say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. it's the only way to be sure."

Heh heh. Personally, I prefer to vacuum slurp enemy planets <g>.

 

[anthcla81]

Originally posted by: dslabby
Yes this is brick and mortar only. The display in the store has regular price on it ($39.99) and no mention of any markdown, but if you price scan the game (there was a scanner conveniently behind me at my local store) it comes up as $19.99! Grabbed one and was out the door. They had 4 other copies on the shelf here in Lansing MI. This is a great deal on a great game (Just voted IGN and MaximumPC Game of the year) If you want one RUN to your local Target ASAP, before they are gone or the price goes up.

Depends on the store. I was at one in WV and they had a $19.99 sticker on the shelf, normal $29.99. Seems like a fun game though, only played a few minutes of it so far

 

[skipulrich]

As we were discussing Steam a bit in relation to this software purchase.... I was previously anti-Steam but after getting a new computer, looking at a big ass pile of disks to reload programs, and instead downloading everything with a few clicks on steam - I am a total convert.
I now look at Steam and other such services as a major benefit when I consider purchasing software. Seriously, games now have so many upgrades/addons/patches this makes more sense than ever, keeping track of all the disks and keys is ridiculous.

 

[frostedflakes]

Finally got around to running by Target and picking this up.

Surprised they still had it on sale. Didn't have to scan it, was marked down to $20 on the shelf. Looks like they might have had some other games on sale if people want to check it out. I didn't bother looking at what else they had, though.

Will have to check out online play when I get a chance. I had, err, "acquired" a copy before (also, kind of OT, but I'd be interested to know how many people are buying this because they pirated the game and enjoyed it) and have some practice with single player, but it was v1.0. Sounds like the newer patches really change the gameplay, so I'll have to get the latest patch and practice a bit first.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Just a warning to newbies looking to go online. While I highly recommend coming to play the game online, I suggest learning how to play it well thoroughly in single player first. It's also important to learn all three races so you understand their strengths and weaknesses against one another. Over the past four months, ever since the v1.1 patch came out, it seems like the player skill level has increased dramatically, which means that it's going to be hard to find other newbies to play against. One thing folks might consider is to play online humans v. AI games, which would let you enjoy having human teammates.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Finally got around to running by Target and picking this up.

Surprised they still had it on sale. Didn't have to scan it, was marked down to $20 on the shelf. Looks like they might have had some other games on sale if people want to check it out. I didn't bother looking at what else they had, though.

Will have to check out online play when I get a chance. I had, err, "acquired" a copy before (also, kind of OT, but I'd be interested to know how many people are buying this because they pirated the game and enjoyed it) and have some practice with single player, but it was v1.0. Sounds like the newer patches really change the gameplay, so I'll have to get the latest patch and practice a bit first.

i think something happened with the latest patch (the 1/29 one i think)

cause, i was playing against AI before, and not having an issue with them overmassing units. (okay, so i like to win..)

anyways, i played against AI yday, and the fucking thing wtfpwned me with a fleet w/ approx 70 bomber wings. 0.0 i lost 6 capital ships in 1 fight.

worse yet, the freaking AI is concentrating firepower... unlike before, where it'd just let everything attack whatever.

anyone know how to target all craft of a type within a gravity well?

 

[middlehead]

Looks to be a general price drop - $19.97 at a Wal Mart this afternoon.