Game News Phoenix Point now an Epic Store Exkloosive

[Darth Roxor]

Tags: Julian Gollop; Phoenix Point; Snapshot Games

Phoenix Point, everyone's most eagerly anticipated nu-xcom-but-not-really-actually-nu-xcom spiritual successor of X-COM by none other than Julian Gollop, the creator of the X-COM series, has been going through some interesting developments ever since it was successfully crowdfounded at Fig.

Fans and backers alike will no doubt rejoice about the fact that Phoenix Point has finally found a welcoming home and financial stability by signing up for a 1-year-long deal of exclusive presence on the brand-new Epic Store. "Exclusive" is just another word for "exceptional" and Snapshot Games founder Julian Gollop is as positive about this auspicious endeavour as anyone would be. From the official announcement:

I have some major news to share: we have signed a deal with Epic Games to bring Phoenix Point exclusively to the Epic Games Store for its first year of release on PC and Mac.

This deal is a real game changer for our studio, because, thanks to Epic’s support, it is certain that we will be able to update and expand Phoenix Point for years to come.

We want to share our success with all the backers who have helped us get here, so we have a special benefit to announce: if you backed or pre-ordered Phoenix Point at any time since our crowdfunding campaign until today, you will receive a year of free DLC.​

A year of free DLC? Sounds exciting! But what does it mean for fans who really, really wanted to get the game DLC and DRM free on a platform such as GOG? No worries, because Snapshot's got you covered. From the official FAQ:

I really wanted the game on Steam or GOG.com. What can I do?

Whichever delivery option you had originally opted for, we’re still positive that you will have a fantastic experience with Phoenix Point on the Epic Games Launcher.

All backers up to this point will also STILL receive a Steam or GOG key after the 1 year exclusivity period. The Steam/GOG key will also receive the same 1 year of free DLC which came with the Epic key.

If we really can’t tempt you over, we understand. You can cancel your pre-order (this includes Fig.co crowdfunding backers) at any time in the next 28 days for a full refund.​

Good guys provide their fans with multiple options and Snapshot Games are no exception. And in case you're worrying that any prospective refund made by you would harm the game's development, worry no more, because the community manager confirmed on the official Discord channel for the game that Phoenix Point can, and will, manage just fine without you.

Keep in mind that we knew there would be backlash. We knew there would be refunds. If we had to refund 100% of currently pre-orders, we'd still be in the black. We didn't make the decision lightly.​

Truly gets the noggin joggin'!

 

[Farewell into the night]

It was aliens?

 

[SausageInYourFace]

Practically speaking, I couldn't care less, because I probably would've waited a year or longer anyway before playing this.

If we had to refund 100% of currently pre-orders, we'd still be in the black. We didn't make the decision lightly.

Oh, well, if thats how it is I am refunding on principle because I think that this is no way to treat your backers.

 

[undecaf]

Shame. I kinda wanted to try this.

Oh well... Better luck next year when the exclusivity ends. If it ends.

 

[Humanity has risen!]

Yeah people, keep protesting against competition. Because Facebook and Google taught us it is good when a single company controls everything.

 

[Duraframe300]

They even put the interest of their backers first!

Good Guyz Snapshot

 

[undecaf]

Yeah people, keep protesting against competition.

It's so fucking tiresome. All I want is to play the damn game, not log on to million different middle-man platforms in order to be able to. The whole idea about multiple different clients is stupid and cumbersome from the customer-perspective.

Here's a pipedream: One is plenty enough. Combine them all under one universal client so that each "sub-client" and game is available to the customer under one single log in, and let the companies compete within that system as much as they fucking want.

 

[Haba]

Thx for the news. Refunded!

 

[GrainWetski]

Yeah people, keep protesting against competition. Because Facebook and Google taught us it is good when a single company controls everything.

Which means we should let Epic swallow up PC gaming.

Good idea.

 

[ricolikesrice]

guys i know those news are hard to swallow, but trust me the year of free DLC is gonna be worth it:

i got a first leak for concept art from their lead artists regarding upcomming armor skins for new jericho and the phoenix point faction:

Spoiler

 

[protobob]

I'm looking forward to a future where I need an exclusive launcher/storefront for every game published.

 

[Taurist]

I wonder how much Epic are paying developers to do this? I mean you must have to anticipate losing something like 70% of your sales.

I don't have much of an issue otherways. They were given free money to put the game DRM free on another storefront for a year. I can see why they did it given the amount of kickstarter games that bombed recently. I imagine Epic will also be marketing it.

 

[Alfgart]

Great news. Now the game will be easier to pirate and I won't feel bad about it because fuck Epic and fuck developers changing store mid-development.

 

[aratuk]

Yeah, no.



Already split between Steam, GOG, and to some extent itch.io. Several years ago I switched almost entirely to GOG, unless there was no other option. I'll usually default to not buying something at all if it's only on Steam, so I'm sure as hell not splintering further onto another annoying DRM platform.

I backed this on Fig, so now the question of whether I should give away the Epic key, costing them a potential sale, and wait for the eventual GOG key for myself, or just get a refund. I think I'm going for the refund, because the other route won't actually communicate anything to them.

Edit: Here is a link to the refund form, if anyone is interested.

 

[ricolikesrice]

get a refund, what do you have to lose ? the game is now paid by Epic and the backers dont matter anymore - they (snapshot) said themselves they can afford even 100% refunds.

so in the rare event that the game doesnt turn out shit - you can still buy it with the money you get back now at a later Point of your chosing whether on Epic, gog, steam or for free on torrents ….. why would anyone be stupid enough to NOT refund under these conditions ?
all you might miss out on is some stupid cosmetic DLC shit or story missions … the kind of crap no serious fan of JA or old xcom will miss in case the base game is any fun.

 

[toro]

Epic and Fig are literally life savers.
I did not back anything of Fig, I never will.
I will not buy anything on Epic store, I never will.
Less games to "play", more time to waste.

 

[hpstg]

That 30% cut hurts too much.

 

[cosmicray]

I wonder how much Epic are paying developers to do this? I mean you must have to anticipate losing something like 70% of your sales.

 

[unfairlight]

Also, its owned by chinks.

It's not, Tim Sweeney is the controlling shareholder of Epic Games. Epic is not a public company so there's little that Tencent could do with their share unless Tim sold his shares off, which I doubt he would ever do unless the company was going bankrupt.
https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/c...eeds_to_stop_with_this_always_online/eclrmii/

 

[Urthor]

It's fine, it was going to be a shit game anyway

 

[toro]

Director of Publishing Strategy for Epic Games Store agrees that ”gamers are unpleasant aggressive assholes with hysteric requirements who should fuck off”.

 

[deuxhero]

Don't donate to kickstarters!

 

[Invictus]

In the near future there are going to be separate services for all new media; Disney, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, NFL, CBS etc...Steam had their run but was too greedy tbh
I always buy legit games from GOG or just pirate them instead of that Steam Spyware so basically Epic, Steam or whatever its the same for me; those greedy bastards wont get a dime from me... but if that means no Denuvo either much better for everybody

 

[Mr. Pink]

Going for the quick guaranteed cash and then attempting to placate users/avoid piracy by promising day 1 DLC seems like a sign that the developers aren't confident in the quality of their game. There have been several long lasting smash hit turn based tactics games (for indie standards) that have thrived on Steam like Templar Battleforce or Battle Brothers just because their user reviews were great and Steam algorithm recommended them to the hundreds of thousands of tactics fans who own X-COM.

I'd make the decision to take Epic Store exclusivity too if I were months away from releasing a product I knew was mediocre and unable to compete with better tactics games anyways.

 

[deuxhero]

Invictus With Disney's ownership of ESPN, I doubt NFL would be seperate.