Help Define the C&C 4 Pre-Order Program

[Sonic 296]

There is a new survey on the Official C&C Site that asks for your help. Take the survey and tell the team at EALA what you would like to see used as extras in the Command & Conquer 4 Pre-Order Program.

 

If you've ever pre-ordered a game, then you know traditionally you get something special, something only those who pre-ordered are bestowed upon with. Whether its an exclusive map, a new in-game unit, or a coffee mug, pre-order programs for any game are always great incentives to ensure your copy on Day 1, or more importantly, to ensure you acquire something cool and extra.

 

For Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight, we want YOUR HELP in defining what the pre-order program will be for the game.

 

This survey is designed to allow you, a valued member of the Command & Conquer community, to give us valuable advice on pre-order incentives. This survey is your opportunity to help us shape your future experience with Command & Conquer 4. By completing this survey utilizing your most honest answers, you will effectively be deciding what you will receive with your pre-ordered copy of C&C4 at launch. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Click here to take the survey. And don't forget to leave your full name and e-mail at the end to go into the draw to win a Red Alert 3: Uprising Yuriko T-Shirt.

[Gben 20]

I launched into a detailed wish-list before I realised they were asking for a pre-order pack not a collectors pack.

 

A discount is really all you need to get me to pre-order!

(I should have said that!)

[spark 0]

Most of the options are the same old things that EA used in C&C3 and RA3... Seriously, stuff like exclusive multiplayer maps and unique unit skins are so insignificant.

 

I am leaning more towards some physical collectibles, like a unit figurine (TS and RA2) or even a mini model of the Crawler!

[Luk3us 63]

I hope there is some kind of figurine included, they are always cool. I'm starting to develop a little collection of them from numerous games, as they seem to be the rage nowadays.

 

Of course early beta entry is always going to rank highly imo.

[Nmenth 291]

Yes, not only are multiplayer maps incredibly boring bonuses, but it is also an unfair thing to exclude some people from. Special campaign missions is an even worse idea.

There are some things that are just not acceptable to be given to select individuals, and maps or missions are some examples of those.

[Saracen 16]

To be honest, everything they listed in that survey should just go straight into a collectors edition. With that amount of content the incentive is there to pre-order anyway.

 

If they want a pre-order program, the I think it should only be a couple of units on offer (one exclusive and one late game level unlockable) when they pre-order the special edition only.

 

I havent got a 360, but the Forza 3 offer that GAME are doing here in UK is a pretty neat deal. The price as such reflects that. But I'd have a large incentive to pre-order that special edition cos I'm nuts about racing games. So if C&C 4 offered a similar deal, I'd be right in there with my money.

[Silverthorn 0]

Most of the options are the same old things that EA used in C&C3 and RA3... Seriously, stuff like exclusive multiplayer maps and unique unit skins are so insignificant.

 

I am leaning more towards some physical collectibles, like a unit figurine (TS and RA2) or even a mini model of the Crawler!

 

OH PLEASE SAY IT AIN'T SO! EA, are you really stingy again to give us downloadables? Moreover, giving another just a Kane photo & C&C4 soundtrack? Pathetic, pre-order or special editions, all I want is like back in the Westwood days including competitors' tactics, bring out the figurines or anything PHYSICAL!!

 

Come on, you already broke my heart a few times, and now you dare to break other peoples' hearts?! EA, be careful of what you are doing?! APOC, do reconsider! Moreover, your competitors will 100% laugh at you when you're so stingy just to provide downloadables, that's epic failure in their point of view!

 

How about you try something like this like a special edition, this tactic can also be used as a pre-order edition too :

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Nmenth 291]

OH PLEASE SAY IT AIN'T SO! EA, are you really stingy again to give us downloadables?

They haven't been saying it's so yet. A survey is just a survey, fill it out and maybe they will listen.

[Silverthorn 0]

I sure hope so, bo. But I'm also emailing APOC to ensure he gets the message early, he maybe very very busy like a bee, but I don't want C&C4 goes off again like a small puff of wind instead of a big bang explosion. Been said that many times, and I want to ensure the survey is not to be taken lightly like how the old C&C3 & RA3 surveys failed but succeeded by the marketing team. So let C&C4 to be very serious, it's a matter that we should get physical items in our hands, not some cheapskate easy-to-steal-by-pirates downloadables.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Malevolence 6]

I'll be utterly disappointed if EA marketing team churns out worthless items such as skins, bonus maps and some junk software files.

 

I wish to see something physical and worthy as a collectible, after all, this is what makes it special. Like majority of the fans, pewter figurines of a black hand or a zone trooper will be great, or a nicely pack of sewn GDI and Nod symbols in a decent collectible box. Or some interesting C&C4 Themed peripherals bundled with great manufacturers such as Razer or Logitech (Mice, keyboards), or EVGA Killer Xeno Pro network card (since C&C4 will be online based).

 

No more useless and cheapskate software as a bonus please.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Malevolence

[Sonic 296]

Firstly this is about the pre-order program. Not to decide what will be included in a collectors edition of the game.

 

I'm not big on pre-order features simply because here New Zealand we don't usually get them. The RA3 pre-order offer came when the actual game was released.

 

But the point is you don't like bonus stuff like maps and skins so take the survey at tell EALA that. Why do think this survey was started. What do you guys want? The survey is your way to tell them.

[Silverthorn 0]

We're doing the best as we can, well, CNCNZ can stop this downloadable nonsense, but what about the other communities from the other C&C sites including the official forum's communities? Will they stick with downloadables, or will they shout for physical items? We will not be very sure unless we spread this message like a disease without being prepared for cure (Like SARS stroke China without warning and its death toll was high).

[Malevolence 6]

Firstly this is about the pre-order program. Not to decide what will be included in a collectors edition of the game.

 

I'm not big on pre-order features simply because here New Zealand we don't usually get them. The RA3 pre-order offer came when the actual game was released.

 

But the point is you don't like bonus stuff like maps and skins so take the survey at tell EALA that. Why do think this survey was started. What do you guys want? The survey is your way to tell them.

 

Actually I did my survey already. I was sharing my thoughts here as well. Hope you don't mind.

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

Silverthorn, the Collector Editions for MW2 and Halo 3 are pretty darn awesome, but it doesn't take a neuroscience genius to explain their budgets for such things are astronomical. Halo 3 ODST just sold 2 million copies in 24 hours! If a C&C game ever does that, you can bet we'll be given an infinite credit card, lol.

 

We will absolutely do the best we can, we just have to work within our means.

 

Hardly anyone does a physical figurine these days because the cost of goods is incredibly expensive, its not like the old days. I'd love to do a pewter figure, but having seen the production budget for such an item, phew, man o man.

 

But we'll see, appreciate you all taking the survey.

 

So far, the most popular pre-order items in the survey based on rating and Top 3 priority are a signed Joe Kucan headshot, exclusive Beta access, official soundtrack, and an exclusive single-player mission.

 

Not too surprising, to me at least.

 

-APOC

[Silverthorn 0]

Ahh, thanks for helping to clear up some problems. Well, you did mention how expensive those physical items are these days, except not all of us including myself are convinced that you all do the best as you can to please us. Because we know you all earn millions of dollars annually and spending a few thousands on those physical items such as figurines are not a huge difference in expenditure. That's why I shout it out loud to ask you all about this.

 

And to be honest, I did my survey, but my results I return are highly negative as I touch mostly the physical items like your photos & soundtracks, downloadables receive the lowests of the lowest rating instead.

[recover 2]

I also think that a lower price is best for the pre-order. Then put all the physical things in the collectors edition.

 

While we're talking about collectors edition, I think the making of/blooper reel in C&C3 was really short. If you want to know how a behind the scenes should look like, take a look at behind the scenes for The Matrix. Damn, they packed a ton of stuff in that one.

[Silverthorn 0]

I also think that a lower price is best for the pre-order. Then put all the physical things in the collectors edition.

 

While we're talking about collectors edition, I think the making of/blooper reel in C&C3 was really short. If you want to know how a behind the scenes should look like, take a look at behind the scenes for The Matrix. Damn, they packed a ton of stuff in that one.

 

Yes, about the bloopers, RA3's bloopers are the WORST of all, they include those from the marketing videos rather than from the original game's cinematics. What will happen if I don't watch them at all and just knew RA3 when I stumble upon the shelf while I don't visit any C&C sites.

 

Overall, for good bloopers, use those from the cinematics, C&C3 & KW bloopers are overall above average but I like the KW one better.

 

And speaking of marketing videos, hopefully EA better not waste all that money just for marketing videos. The "Ackerman for President" were very good, but the rest such as featuring individual actors as well as Uprising's Valentines were all useless and I don't bother watching them. So it's best that all that money have to spend on CGI instead, for the marketing part, think of another way to please the fans.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

Silverthorn,

 

I find you to be a rare breed in many cases. A lot of people loved the Valentines and the videos we produced =)

 

All due respect, if I put myself in your shoes, of course I would LOVE to get a bad-ass figurine. I've got my TS one.

 

If you put yourself in our shoes, its hardly a few thousand dollars and the idea that we are sitting on infinite piles of green paper is profoundly misunderstood. It's not my place to go in to great detail, that's company policy and confidentiality when it comes to budgets and sales, but I can assure you, pre-order programs are incredibly expensive and tough to gain ROI back on pending what you do. Even the big games that do amazing collector editions, a lot of times they take a loss. Some can afford a loss on an expensive pre-order or collector edition because they gain it back with massive sales, depending on who you are, some cannot and likely don't do it again. Again, not my place to comment specifically.

 

Cost of goods for box products and especially to package things inside, its crazy expensive and also an exact science when it comes to manufacturing. That's why you see hardly anyone doing such things these days, unless you are top 5 major title of the year where you'll always see insane pre-order or collector edition programs.

 

I agree, MP maps aren't the greatest, i've seen that feedback consistently over the years. I do think our Behind the Scenes DVD's have been of high quality for the hardcore, those have been well produced and executed and enjoyed.

 

So, we'll see where we end up with C&C 4. For a fan with your expectations, we'll do our best to hit them, but I kindly ask you consider your opinion with some rationale =)

 

-APOC

Edited September 25, 2009 by EA Apoc

[Johnnyxp64 20]

personally i voted for

 

a Behind DVD BUT i wish to have TONS of Unit creation stuff (animation, art, effects light etc), not fan videos like the 1st Decade did.

and maybe a VERY special Uniqe indoor and outddor Campaign that will NOT be playable by ANY means into the nopreorder ones, so dont thing about download stuff that leak before the game even goes out and people that preorder never have something special from the rest.

 

Also i strongly like the idea of preordering will give you a better price insted of 49$ make it 39$ that will boost your presale A LOT!

 

@Silverthorn come one lets be realistic figures at the momment is not possible, lets all help the CnC 4 sell a great number of copies and propobly this figure thing can be possible in the next game or expansion. i would also like a Deadly GDI Condor unit as figure about 10cm long painted BUT that not possible right now, and i can leave with that.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Johnnyxp64

[Silverthorn 0]

Very well Apoc, I understand you. And with the limitations you told me, I am convinced already and the facts you told me are not excuses anymore, but more of the real thing in real business instead. I'll keep that sentences in my note so I can remember them. And lastly, sorry for my rudeness and that, that was the time I felt heart broken by the stinginess you all did from C&C3 till now, that's how it happened until you came in and tell me the reality behind EA's current state. But now I got other plans which I hope you consider, don't forget the CGI, even if they're very expensive these days, it's best that you don't hide them in the vaults like those C&C3 ones were secretly kept until they were revealed by several game sites AND never waste too many scenes into 1 specific mission (RA3 1st Allied mission).

 

And Johnny, I think one figurine can do nicely already. I do not mind a small plane model like the Vic Viper in this picture, which is only 2 1/2 inches. Imagine the Viper plane is replaced by a Condor, Vertigo or even the Orca instead.

 

 

But as long as EA can deliver the goods and keep something that is worth remembering, then we can be happy. After all, one high value physical item is better than poor low value ones or not at all. AND all downloadables without a high value physical item is very bad.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

Silverthorn,

 

Stinginess? Do you remember the C&C store we opened during C&C 3? =) Wasn't pre-order related, but it certainly had items worth remembering and purchasing for hardcore fans like yourself.

 

We all thought the talking Kane Bobblehead and C&C store would be a huge success given our fanbase and passion for the franchise. C&C 3 was one of our best selling RTS games of all time...unfortunately the Kane Bobblehead and C&C store were not. When we look at that venture, one questions just how much the C&C fan-base, the overall fan-base, not you just and 1,000 other ultra hardcore-ites, really value and desire such physical items from our universe. It just may be one of those things. Certainly if you get it for free with a pre-order, that's got an attraction, no doubt. This day in age, we can't just do things for the sake of doing things, we have to really assess if its possible and will prove to have a positive effect overall. You know what I mean.

 

I though the Kane Bobblehead, in my opinion, was the best C&C physical item of all time.

 

-APOC

Edited September 25, 2009 by EA Apoc

[Silverthorn 0]

Err, no Apoc, since I'm not in America, I don't know all that. I'm from Malaysia, the last special editions I got from C&C3 are tumblers, dog tags, a small plastic pencil box, etc.. But those items are prepared by EA Singapore.

 

And the bobblehead I thought that was only as a contest prize. I do remember it's for sale, but can't buy it as America is expensive in Malaysian currency (Not to mention about how to deliver it to my country), and the problem is, EA Singapore doesn't sell the Kane bobblehead either. I want one too, but I can't as I mentioned.

 

Overall, yes, I thought it's going to be like a request or suggestion, but I guess you're right, you all have your limitations, financially.

 

PS : Don't forget on the CGI part, you may hardly reply my email, but I want you to remember of what I mentioned, especially the C&C3 ones you all kept and revealed, it was backstabbing and it hurts badly. Don't do something like that for C&C4, a CGI kept in a vault is just like leaving a sheep behind in a wasteland without you noticing it until it's discovered by another shepherd instead.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Aaron Kaufman 0]

EA Singapore always does awesome stuff for our game!

[Silverthorn 0]

I know they're awesome too, except I don't check much from them. The last time I bought my original copies are from my own Malaysian retailers, their price are much cheaper than the Singaporean counterparts (Not including by courier, from Singapore is darn expensive, but from Kuala Lumpur is much cheaper). The RA3 one I got is from Australia, all according to the US items, the metal box, RA3 gal poster, soundtrack, Behind-the-Scenes DVD. The RA3 ones were ok, except the value in them are low, the poster can be in high value IF it's not in small A4 or A5 size (Cannot remember the actual size since I misplaced it), those other stuff aren't worth keeping though, to be honest, a small mini 2 inch model of the Guardian Tank is at least a medium-high value item which that I would love to have.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Nmenth 291]

So far, the most popular pre-order items in the survey based on rating and Top 3 priority are a signed Joe Kucan headshot, exclusive Beta access, official soundtrack, and an exclusive single-player mission.

Ah, no exclusive single-player missions!

If you pull that, I'll be very annoyed, there could even be some frowning involved!