Is there a new scheduled ship date for GalCiv?

1st quarter of next year.

Basically, it's up to you guys. Because of how popular Object Desktop is, we have the ability to wait until the game is really awesome. So if we're not happy with how the game is come November (which is when we're supposed to go into gamma) then we push it back.

While the beta is technically playable, it's really very very basic. There is so much more to do in the game.

Brad,
Waiting until the game is really awesome is a good idea, but what about all the sales missed if it is not delivered in time for xmas?

Cheers,
Jack

Brad,
this game is suppossed to be constanbtly updated and upgraded. Theerefore putting everything in at once and waiting longer and longer doesn't really make sense! I agree that you want it awesome to start, but November is still 4 months away! Surely by then it should be awesome enough for a first release?

Paul.

It's a question of first impressions when it comes out.....and potential reviews in the game magazines.........that seems to have a pretty big influence on the casual gamer.......If it doesn't have a good 'edge' people will shelve the game even if the online additions add the desired quality.....and the online strategy is crucial to the success of the game.
On the other hand, post-christmas is when people are paying of christmas bills and that is always an issue too.....the casual gamer may not have the money to get the great game even if it is well-reviewed. Most likely they will wait until it is $15.00 and then buy it(ouch!).
My suggestion is that if the beta goes really well and you feel you are 80% to your destination, then release it........but if you don't really feel you have the 'edge' in the game then wait till the first quarter(like feb or march 2003). But make sure it has the 'edge' first.....

To be out in time for Christmas we'd have to go gold by September 30th. Realistially, only a Blizzard or EA or whatever can get away with going gold and being in stores a few days later. The rest of us have to reserve our shelf space months in advance.

Missing Christmas gives us 3 more months of development time.

You're right.....only having 2 months of beta is not going to get things up to speed in time......and my guess is that the shelf space AFTER christmas is considerably less.......that would mean you could have it on longer......
Personally I think the late winter to early spring or summer area is a better marketing time for people trying to get a break in the market.
Most games(with rare exceptions) have an interest time of 3 to 4 months without internet support to keep it interesting. Plus in that period the game magazines usually have to start reviewing games that are not *top* quality so you can really stand out.

Finally, a lot of games in the christmas season are gifts and the people getting the gifts are often clueless. Better to put your game in an environment where the target audience is actually going to buy your game themselves then a relative who has no idea what to pick.

Going gold 3 months in advance. Ouch. You'll probably need the extra time then. I did manage to play my first ever complete game without crashing over the weekend though. Good sign!

Paul.

You also need to be mindful of Master of Orion 3's release. Last I saw, it was scheduled for mid September. It would be a golden opportunity to see what works and doesn't work there and adapt Gal Civ a bit with that.

Galactic Civilization is going to have to be a very special game to succeed, it doesn't really have the name recognition for most PC gamers. I do think it's on the right track (especially with the openess of the developers to new ideas). I'm hoping this is the EU of space strategy games.

An advertising promo, when you are tired of the ones you got for Xmas check out GC on Feb 1 (or whatever the release). Different enough that it maght hang around in someones consciousness.