Downloading the Universe?

[Hemdian]

(Spun from a different thread.)

Originally posted by Berg:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />I offered him a download option (a special case not normally offered)

The powers that be may wish to consider this option, as I live in Canada and shipping from the U.K./Europe has stopped me on a lot of Gaming, Ebay, etc purchases. Being software this seems logical, but just include a pdf of the manual</font>[/QUOTE]My initial thought is that if the presence of the release 1 physical disk is used in the install process of the release 2 upgrade (to confirm upgrade requirments have been met) then a download only option may represent a false economy. Postage for this item to North America is, I believe, GBP 3.00 (USD 5.85) and not USD 16.00 ... unless you buy loads of other BITS items as well. The price for Universe 2 has not been set but lets say for the sake of argument that its £20 full, £10 upgrade. To save £3 now you loose out on saving £10 later.

(In case anyone misunderstands, Dalton was given a download option due to his time constraints. He is still being sent a shinny disk through regular channels. The download was in addition to, not instead of.)

People in the UK may have a blind spot on the issue of postage costs. Many international companies selling direct in the UK jack their prices up ("because they can") with the result being that its often cheaper to source stuff from the US/Canada and pay the postage on top than it is to buy locally. The current US and Canadian exchange rates to Stirling are probably not helping you much either. So we tend to see postage costs as "reducing potential saving" rather than as an "additional expense".

So a simple question: are people still interested in a download version of Universe even if it means loosing out on the upgrade discount for Universe 2?

Regards PLST

 

[daltoncalford]

Hi,

Shipping to Canada is


Shipping
Standard Post - Canada
GBP 4.26


which currently converts to 8.55 Canadian Dollars.

That is not a great deal, although it can pay for a few books at Drivethru if I did not have them all already. (I wish bits sold pdf's through drivethrurpg).

It is not the cost, it is the instant gratification (just kidding).

I would say that a download option with a phone-home registration process to ensure you have an account in good standing would be fine.
That would be a very MS way of doing things.

You are in a rough position. You want to ensure the best return in order to make writting the software viable, while we, your customers want to ensure you keep writting the software to ensure we don't have to.

I would almost suggest a subscription based service based around paypal.
If you charged 5 dollars CDN (about 2 pounds 50 cents) a month, that works out to about 30 pounds a year per customer. If you figure out how many customers you need to support your lifestyle, you can do some market research to see if there are enough people willing to do such a thing.

So, to answer your question, I would pay for a download only version, if just to save the $8 combined with the $8 customs and duties (don't forget the taxes they will tack onto it if you get an ornery customs agent).

In answer to your earlier statement about it not being USD $16, that figure is quite likely correct once the other fees you do not see are added for the customer.

best regards

Dalton

 

[Berg]

How far along is Universe 2?

 

[jfetters]

I'd be willing to pay for an immediate download. Partially because I am impatient, but also because I think Universe is a good product and I am willing to support it.

 

[charris256]

I would be interested in a download version as well.

Ch

 

[BigBadRon]

I'd be interested in a downloadable version too. Version 1.5 has proved itself essential over the past few years.

 

[Valarian]

I'm eagerly awaiting Universe 2 and I'd also be interested in a download option, but why should it stop you offering a discount for an upgrade? You could just send your existing customers a voucher to use at the online store you pick to offer the download of the software.

 

[Hemdian]

I'm eagerly awaiting Universe 2 and I'd also be interested in a download option, but why should it stop you offering a discount for an upgrade? You could just send your existing customers a voucher to use at the online store you pick to offer the download of the software.

Well the issue was one of verification. The upgrade version would essentially be the same as the full version but with a different installer. The installer of the upgrade version would have to verify that it was an upgrade ... simplest way would be to confirm the presence of a physical disk from the preveous version. Atleast that was my thinking ... I will review the whole thing again when I start packaging up release 2.

Oh, and BigBadRon: There is a free upgrade to 1.7.

Regards PLST

 

[tjoneslo]

I've known about Universe for a long time. But I've always found it difficult to find the correct reseller for my location (in the US). I probably not as persistent about finding the proper place to buy from as I should be, but it has discouraged me from buying. Offering a download version means I don't need to worry about (re-)finding the US retailer and do they have it in stock.

Have you investigated Drivethru-RPG and e23 for their ability to offer validated software downloads? I know that both offer a tracking service and an automatic upgrade available notice for products.

 

[BigBadRon]

Oh, and BigBadRon: There is a free upgrade to 1.7.

Ooooh... nice.

 

[Hemdian]

I've known about Universe for a long time. But I've always found it difficult to find the correct reseller for my location (in the US). I probably not as persistent about finding the proper place to buy from as I should be, but it has discouraged me from buying. Offering a download version means I don't need to worry about (re-)finding the US retailer and do they have it in stock.

Until recently the only place to get Universe (apart from the BITS stand at UK conventions) was from Gnometrader. Saddley they have now closed and so Ancient Tomes (BITS eBay shop) have stepped in. There are no other resellers.

Have you investigated Drivethru-RPG and e23 for their ability to offer validated software downloads? I know that both offer a tracking service and an automatic upgrade available notice for products.

Not specifically in regards to Universe, we have looked at them for other BITS products as PDF but so far it looks unlikely for now. But I will re-investigate for Universe.

Regards PLST