Blink Bundle Megathread | 12/09 - 12/16: Hidden Gems Bundle 3
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caseyblink
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Thanks guys. I'm actually feeling a bit better this afternoon. Hopefully I'll be able to give everyone a heads up soon as to when to expect the Highborn discount.
Honeybaked Ham
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Really impressed with you guys! I was on the fence for this bundle as well even though I didn't own anything, but seeing how fast you reacted to the community and actually made something happened about it is very impressive. Now I am 3/3 for your bundles, keep up the good work guys!
BobbyTastic
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Well, since Casey is probably resting, I'll just announce this for him.
Blink has once AGAIN come through. Highborn and its 2 DLCs are now on sale.
Highborn is 50% off at $4.99 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/209850/
Highborn Chapter 2 is 66% off at $1.01 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/236660/
and Highborn Chapter 3 is 66% off at $1.01 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/256180/
Enjoy.
Blink has once AGAIN come through. Highborn and its 2 DLCs are now on sale.
Highborn is 50% off at $4.99 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/209850/
Highborn Chapter 2 is 66% off at $1.01 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/236660/
and Highborn Chapter 3 is 66% off at $1.01 -> http://store.steampowered.com/app/256180/
Enjoy.
caseyblink
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To be fair it's not really the same situation between the two in a few ways. There was a very legitimate complaint regarding the fact that during a regular Steam sale it would've cost people around the same amount to buy the remaining episodes of Winter Voices than it would just to buy the complete pack.
Jet Set Games also reacting to the situation is great. And there are time limitations on devs making their own Steam sales, and they used it to address this.
Bonus points to both devs since I was able to boost my own library a bit more!
Edit: I should add (since I don't even know this until it was pointed out to me) this is the first time Highborn Episode 3 has been on sale according to ITAD.
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BobbyTastic
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And THAT's why you don't have your own bundle.
Well, that IS what this site's about, but I'll admit that even I wouldn't split hairs over a 25 cent difference..A "B-" is still a nice grade.
Disclaimer: I am being cheap
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It adds up to 50 cents. I'd personally rather have it be 90% off like Winter Voices though, but who wouldn't?
#FakeCAG
BobbyTastic
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I never thought I'd see the day where I was a #fakecag.. ;__;. You PC guys are the most hardcore CAGs on the site. The XBLA thread guys have nothing on you.
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Okay I played Highborn....bleh! It's a very bland game, reminds me of Groutesque Tactics, about the same quality though this one is bit higher. Very basic overall, and feels like a simple HOMM game. I wouldn't recommend buying the DLC unless you play first. The story and characters are ok, but it's just pretty dang boring. I will probably finish the game, but wont buy the DLC.
Very possibly and they happen to know a lot of people will either hit up a sale right away because of decent prices, be completionists and want the whole game, not play the game anyway.....but when they play they don't want anything missing. I will play Winter Voices prologue, though that looks like a game for me at least story wise and will decide on the cheaper episodes afterwards. Makes me really appreciate full bundles (imagine something like sam and max season 1 and they offer you 3 chapters and don't give you the rest...bleh to this logic). Full bundles all the way!!!!
caseyblink
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Since both developers didn't even know Steam put in the ability for devs to make their own deals (which is pretty common)...your conspiracy theory is pretty shaky.
But some people will always want to believe the worst. It's sad.
BobbyTastic
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Gonna have to side with Casey on this one. I'm a self-admitted cynic (I mean I didn't even think Jet Set Games would put their DLC on sale based on them being deceptive about the episodic content stuff and for them taking longer than Inner Seas to get their shit together), but even I can't believe that this is some sort of staged PR. Developers being able to start their own sales whenever is a relatively new feature, and I think the only reason they thought to do it was Blink talking to them, and the reason Blink did that was because of semi-unexpected backlash over including incomplete episodic content.
Think about it. Why would Inner Seas include THREE of their episodes if they planned a sale all along? They'd make more money including 1 and selling the rest through Steam (probably could have gotten away with a higher price as well), because that'd have left room for other games to make more people buy the bundle. Why even risk that initial backlash?
Perhaps I'm more cynical than you, but I think if it wasn't for the backlash, the devs wouldn't have done anything and would be content selling the rest of the content at full price.
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CheapLikeAFox
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I'm passing on the bundle because the games don't necessarily interest me. I like shooty things and zombie things.
That said, I'll step out of my CAG self for a second and say I wasn't really surprised by the initial set up of this bundle and was a bit surprised by the big backlash. I'd say a good amount of the games I've gotten in bundles have DLC, and sometimes a ton of DLC, that is not included in the bundle. I've always seen that to be sort of the point of bundles (with the exception of big time devs participating in Humble for charity). The dev gives you the base game for dirt cheap and hopes you like it enough to buy the DLC. For episodic games I would figure the logic would be the same - give you a taste and then if you like it enough you'll buy the rest.
I understand that in this case the issue was that it would be cheaper to just rebuy the season pass for the game than buy the remaining episodes and that is why the reacted to fix that, but overall I understood what the dev was going for. I don't really see a big backlash to try to force the dev to include a game and all DLC in a bundle so I don't see why it is necessarily different when it comes to episodic content.
That said, I'll step out of my CAG self for a second and say I wasn't really surprised by the initial set up of this bundle and was a bit surprised by the big backlash. I'd say a good amount of the games I've gotten in bundles have DLC, and sometimes a ton of DLC, that is not included in the bundle. I've always seen that to be sort of the point of bundles (with the exception of big time devs participating in Humble for charity). The dev gives you the base game for dirt cheap and hopes you like it enough to buy the DLC. For episodic games I would figure the logic would be the same - give you a taste and then if you like it enough you'll buy the rest.
I understand that in this case the issue was that it would be cheaper to just rebuy the season pass for the game than buy the remaining episodes and that is why the reacted to fix that, but overall I understood what the dev was going for. I don't really see a big backlash to try to force the dev to include a game and all DLC in a bundle so I don't see why it is necessarily different when it comes to episodic content.
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caseyblink
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And let's not forget there are some strict time limitations on doing your own sale. And unless your game is in a Humble the impact isn't going to come close to the numbers associated with having a proper two week long Steam sale. From a sales perspective it would've been far better to use it on a more focused sale. That goes for both devs.
But the reality is the majority of indie devs just don't know about the ability to create your own sale right now. Steam hasn't hardcore promoted it yet. That's why the majority of the sales that people see are from publishers (Meridian, Bohemia, EA), distributors (Kiss Ltd. this week), and indie devs that are very active on Steam.
BobbyTastic
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My only problems were with Highborn because it was sort of sneaky of Jet Set Games to not mention it's an episodic series in either the title or description, and because Winter Voices took up so many slots of Tier 2. That's about it. And even then, I was pretty much in for Tier-1 and wasn't pissed at Blink or anything. I was content with them labeling Highborn as episodic (enough that I promised I would buy Tier-1 because of the feedback being so quickly addressed), I wouldn't have asked for anything more. The other DLC being on sale is just a bonus.
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An episodic game is a game that has been chopped up into little pieces. When you only include only some of those episodes, you're not including a complete game.
This is in contrast to many (but not all) of the other bundled-without-DLC games where the DLC is more of the same (eg: more maps, skins, tidying up of the story) that is in addition to the main game.
And then there's this... not just are they incomplete games, but they're filling slot/s that should be used for other complete games.
(
CheapLikeAFox
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But to me DLC is just chopping up games in pieces too. Some DLC is stuff like game modes that should have been in the original game (and would have been before the days of DLC) and missions that should have (and would have) been in the game otherwise. I'm not a fan of DLC at all myself so I don't see them as that much different.An episodic game is a game that has been chopped up into little pieces. When you only include only some of those episodes, you're not including a complete game.
This is in contrast to many (but not all) of the other bundled-without-DLC games where the DLC is more of the same (eg: more maps, skins, tidying up of the story) that is in addition to the main game.
And then there's this... not just are they incomplete games, but they're filling slot/s that should be used for other complete games.
I agree that the multiple episodes should not particularly be different slots. I didn't know Highborn was episodic till it was brought up here (though would you would notice it in game when a big chapter 2 tab has buy it now when you go to it). I hope Winter Voices is a cool one when I play the prologue this weekend, and will buy the later chapters if I like it. Seems more like the Blink Bundle people were padding this bundle a bit. Not going one way or another, but a little less bundle value is there with games missing episodes and such.
Some DLC is little bits chopped out (compare that to a third to an eighth, though...), but a lot of it is an extra few maps or - in the case of some of the big Paradox titles - something that's been added in a year or two after the game was released.
caseyblink
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It depends on the DLC. Playing Enemy Within probably added more for me to XCOM than the base game did. Though I don't really follow conspiracy theories on how much of that expansion was planned to be part of the original...if any. Don't really care either to be honest
And the same thing can be true with "episodic" titles. I've bought Highborn twice now (mobile and Steam), and it's not really typical of most episodic titles. The base game has a fair amount of gameplay included. Enough that it can stand on its own. When I originally played Highborn and Chapter 2 I thought of it more as DLC campaign expansions than episodes. The fact that they are referred to as chapters is most of the problem.
BobbyTastic
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I figured that based on the price ($10 for "Chapter 1" and $3 for Chapters 2/3). But from what I've read, the main problem is that the story is left unfinished by the end of the main game and deliberately sets itself up for Chapter 2 (with a prompt for purchasing it), so you still feel like it's incomplete (despite the amount of content being higher than a usual episode of a game series). This is different than just an Expansion Pack because in that case the main game has a self-contained story. Then the Expansion Pack adds to it as opposed to finishing it. It's the difference between a TV show season ending on a cliffhanger or a resolution to the events of the current season. One makes you have to keep watching, the other hopes you'll come back anyway.
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caseyblink
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To be fair you could say the same thing with a lot of extremely popular books. Sometimes there is only a minor resolution between books in the series (sometimes even less than that). That approach isn't right or wrong. Some just might not prefer it.
BobbyTastic
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Very good point.
I'm not saying I have a problem with episodic content in general, just only if it presents itself as a full game. But you're right about books being comparable.
Then again, I might feel cheated if an eBook store page didn't make a note that a certain book was part of an ongoing or intended series.
For the record, I thought Enemy Within was fantastic and is everything an expansion pack/DLC should be.
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caseyblink
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I thought Enemy Within was very solid, but I'm going to reserve final judgement for when I play through it again. I pre-ordered XCOM:EU. I have spent probably near thousands of hours playing the original game. Initially I was blown away by it. But after I completed it once most of the allure was gone. The story is more front and center...unlike the original game. The replay value really suffered in the remake. And even though I really enjoyed the additions with Enemy Within I have a feeling the replay value hasn't changed much. And that was probably one of the most key things about the original game that made it such a classic title for a lot of the fans of the franchise.
But if I entirely based my judgement on what XCOM has become EW is outstanding.
Bruticis
Banned
caseyblink
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Of course not. But I also haven't let myself become ruled by cynicism and conspiracy theories thankfully.
MrNinjaSquirrel
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CheapLikeAFox
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Lots of good discussion. I like the comparison to books. Never looked at it that way before.
I agree that some DLC/Expansions can add a ton to a game. I also distinguish between a genuine expansion (like EW) and smaller stuff. I feel like PC games have a precedent of expansions being released a year or two later to extend the life of a game. In then end it might just be nitpicking over terminology as a season pass of DLC is essentially an "expansion" it's just that too much DLC nowadays feels either tacked on or like something that should have been included in the base game. I prefer purely cosmetic DLC so i can skip it if I want or purchase it if I want to support the dev, but feel like I get the full gameplay experience either way.
I agree that some DLC/Expansions can add a ton to a game. I also distinguish between a genuine expansion (like EW) and smaller stuff. I feel like PC games have a precedent of expansions being released a year or two later to extend the life of a game. In then end it might just be nitpicking over terminology as a season pass of DLC is essentially an "expansion" it's just that too much DLC nowadays feels either tacked on or like something that should have been included in the base game. I prefer purely cosmetic DLC so i can skip it if I want or purchase it if I want to support the dev, but feel like I get the full gameplay experience either way.
caseyblink
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I'd like to say that I avoid buying the DLC packs with a minor amount of content, but the habit of Steam collecting very much changed that. Though at least I can still claim to avoid all purely cosmetic DLC. It at least has to add something (even minor) to the base game for me to even consider it as a collector when it's on deep discount. But the cosmetic DLC is more aimed at multiplayer gaming, which hasn't really been my bag since I quit WOW.
Bruticis
Banned
I don't know you personally and you're trying to sell me something (over the internet, no less), a double wammy. I'd hardly call that having your life ruled by conspiracy theories.
asheskitty
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Are you daft?!? Of course the devs were planning to use this bundle to later sell a bunch of people the other two-thirds of the (episodic) game. There's zero doubt in that. Where's your zealot's zeal??? Though I seriously doubt the 90% off was what they had in mind at the start. Bruticis baby, you're slipping.
No. You're wrong. Cliffhangers are a cheap rouse for talentless hacks. A proper creator will bring a sense of closure to the main theme while leaving threads for you to wonder about and that serve the basis for the next work in the series.
It's not paranoia when they're really after you.
http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/5/5263/1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY
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BobbyTastic
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So you quit that addictive pile of garbage? Good for you. If you're ever tempted to relapse, I'm here for you Casey, just remember it's not worth it, no matter how many mounts they add. STAY STRONG BROTHER. (it's seriously terrible now, you can even pay $60 now to make a level 90 character, it's disgusting).
Eh, he seems legit enough (he's a self-professed Steam collector, like most of us, can he really be that bad?). The first/second bundles were great, and how quickly you forget them abandoning their second-week price bump gimmick based on feedback on top of the fact that there are no averages to beat, no other pricing gimmicks (aside from hidden games), and it all goes to the devs aside from Blink's modest cut.
Not every seller is out to get you. There's a line between wanting to make money and wanting to make money at the cost of other people.
caseyblink
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Conspiracy theories usually have a lot of holes in them. I've already explained why yours does. Your assumption makes no sense if you really think about it. If you just assume the worst, without actually looking at the big picture, then you're allowing it to rule your reactions.
caseyblink
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asheskitty
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caseyblink
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When I quit World of Warcraft I had 24 level 85 hunters (40 level 85s overall). I was the first player in WoW history to level a hunter of every race without using multiboxing.
That sounds over the top ridiculous. But I think it bodes well for the bundle community. When I get into something...I tend to go to an extreme.
Edit: Which also explains the 1100 games on Steam in less than 2 years too.
I'm sorry but you're really trying to force an opinion as fact.
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asheskitty
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BobbyTastic
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I'm impressed.
Also, 1100? Damn.
And you guys thought he was out to get you. I bet he only set up a bundle in the first place for money for other bundle sites. Not a half bad idea.
Presenting The BobbyBundle!
This bundle includes:
-CastleMiner Z
-Bad Rats
-Garry's Incident
-War Z
and a super secret hidden bonus (rumoured to be a Steam key for the smash hit by Valve,)
Team Fortress 2
All this can be yours for the low, low price of $4.98. That's right Casey, a penny lower than yours (an amount which a CAG would kill another person over). Try beating THAT.
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asheskitty
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A promise for a whole pile ofAll this can be yours for the low, low price of $4.98. That's right Casey, a penny lower than yours (an amount which a CAG would kill another person over). Try beating THAT.
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And the first 1000 purchasers get Starbound.A promise for a whole pile ofand steam keys (if greenlit), for only $1.99 for the first 6 hours.
caseyblink
CAGiversary!
BB's cut is soo low that there's no chance that it could cover my collecting habits
But I will admit that there is a huge collector advantage when you're involved in forming a bundle. But theoretically that advantage should also extend to your consumers, since a collector is more likely to go above and beyond in acquiring something that has never been featured before. So I see a good game that has never been bundled before, or was bundled so long ago that even hardcore bundle buyers don't have it. Their website is down. Emails are inactive. I'll try multiple avenues to try to get around that. If I'm working with a publisher I'm going to push featuring a lesser known game above that one that has been bundled to death.
Bruticis
Banned
bread's done