Everything You Want to Know About TotalGaming.Net Phase 2

A FAQ for Existing and Future TotalGaming Members

Published on June 22, 2005 By Yarlen In PC Gaming

Stardock Entertainment has just relaunched its TotalGaming.net electronic distribution service with new features, games, a redesigned website and more. As part of the relaunch, we have transitioned all of our current TotalGaming.net subscribers to our new Token-based payment system in an unprecedented upgrade program. In the following article you'll find details on everything you need to know about the next evolution of the TotalGaming service.

What Will Current TotalGaming Subscribers Get Out of the Upgrade?

Any TotalGaming subscriber with an active account on June 10, 2005 will be automatically upgraded with the following benefits:

Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords Final & Beta 2 (a $44.95 value)*
Permanent access to all of the games released on TotalGaming prior to June 10th (over a DOZEN games!)
10 Tokens to spend on the new games released onto TotalGaming (a $69.95 value)*
Future Beta access to our new MMORTS - Society *

How Much Will a New TotalGaming Membership Cost?

New customers can become TotalGaming.net members for just $69.95 which comes with 10 Tokens.

How Do the Tokens Work?

Each game available through TotalGaming.net costs a certain number of Tokens (for example, Galactic Civilizations II costs 5 tokens). Members can use their Tokens to purchase any of the games available through the network.

Why Use Tokens at All?

The new Token system gives us a far greater level of flexibility than what we used in the past, allowing us to sign on more games than before with a wider range of developers and publishers. In addition, the Token system gives customers a significant discount over the standalone price of the games available through the network.

And if you don't like tokens, no problem, all the games are available for purchase stand-alone.

What If I Use All of My Tokens?

We have two types of Booster Packs available: 5 Token Booster Packs are available for $34.95 and 10 Token Booster Packs are available for $65.

What If I Don't Use My Tokens Before My Membership Expires?

TotalGaming memberships never expire for new customers (Subscribers from Phase 2 of TotalGaming.net or Drengin.net should see below). Tokens are yours to use whenever you like once you purchase them.

Do I Have to Be a TotalGaming.net Member to Buy Games From the Network?

No. You can purchase games individually. The reason for a TotalGaming.net membership is that if there are multiple games you want, then you would want to get a membership so you can get the games at a discount.

Can I Return a Game If I Don't Like It?

No, but nearly every game on the TotalGaming network has a demo version so that people can try before they buy; these are available for free download from the TotalGaming website. In addition, people can post on our Forums to see what others think about a particular title, read reviews from various gaming websites and more. This restriction does not apply for those who buy a game standalone.

What If I Can't Get a Game to Run?

If you have trouble getting a game to run, we'll work with you to resolve the problem. If we're unable to get the title to run on your PC, we'll escalate support to the developer of the program. If you still can't get the game to run after that, we'll refund your Tokens for that title.

What Happens to My Games If I Get a New PC or My Games Get Lost?

Once you purchase a game from TotalGaming, it's yours forever. You will be able to re-download the latest version of your games using our Stardock Central application at any point in the future.

Can I Backup My Games?

Absolutely. Stardock Central will allow you to archive the games you purchase through TotalGaming, which you may then copy to other media (i.e., CD, DVD, removable hard drive, etc.). You will need a copy of Stardock Central to reinstall your archives, however.

* Limited time offer that expires September 30, 2005. Users whose accounts would have expired by June 30, 2005 that have not logged in by September 30, 2005 are not eligible. Transitional tokens expire on December 31, 2006.

Comments (Page 2)

Frogboy

on Jun 23, 2005

But if you extend your subscriptions then yes, the tokens roll-over.

djfiggy

on Jun 24, 2005

well that is all fine and dandy...but I *really* hope you getting a little bit better quality games than the 5-6 or so that you just added. I don't see myself spending any of my 10 tokens on ANY of them....

Peace Phoenix

on Jun 24, 2005

Well, don't forget that Stardock produces games

on Jun 24, 2005

Well, don't forget that Stardock produces games

...and some damn good ones, one of which (Galciv 2) you already hav guaranteed access to without spending any tokens! (if you registered before Phase Two that is) and check out Society (Link) which I reckon is going to kick-ass and is a purely Stardock effort.

I applaud Stardocks efforts at supporting Indie developers with TGN. I remember how simple games were when I was growing up - and how fun they still were! I think some indie games manage to capture that essence well.

Yarlen

on Jun 24, 2005

well that is all fine and dandy...but I *really* hope you getting a little bit better quality games than the 5-6 or so that you just added.

Actually, all of the new games are very high quality, they're just Indie releases (I think if you check out their demo versions, you'll find they're quite good. Jets'n'Guns is well worth 2 Tokens.). If you mean you'd like to see more retail games on TG, then yes, we're working on it. Just takes a fair amount of time to work through the red tape that larger corporations seem to enjoy.

Vinco

on Jun 24, 2005

I have to agree with Yarlen here. Jets'n'Guns was my first purchase, and I can't seem to stop playing it. The graphics may look a bit dated, but the gameplay is very enjoyable.

Nitro Cruiser

on Jun 24, 2005

I've given the idea more thought...and I've changed my opinion from my previous post. The tokens are a good idea. I must agree with 4D about the "tokens only" option; I think it would keep things real. After all what if someone runs up a 20 year membership and Microsoft buys out Stardock next year!

One lingering question though. Will older games eventually be reduced in term of the number of tokens it costs? For example: I've seen GalCiv (1) (as great a game as it is) marked way down at some retail stores. Will it remain at the "new price" token cost at TG Net? Or will the possibility of new subscribers keep older titles artificially high? Just asking, because I occasionally pick up a title or two from the bargain bin. MOO3 comes to mind; I passed when it was $50 (and buggy) and grabbed it for $10.

Yarlen

on Jun 24, 2005

We'll be adjusting our (Stardock) games' prices as time passes. After GalCiv II comes out, it's probably a safe bet that GalCiv I's price will go down.

On new titles, prices are determined by the developer/publisher in question, so while we may bring it up now and then, the final decision rests with them.

Jab

on Jun 24, 2005

Yeah Jets and guns is great, it sucks thou that I bought it last month from reflexive, are there any plans to ether have on SDN or on the site upcoming games that will be added on? I'm eyeing a few games on reflexive's site but I don't want to chance buying them there if you guys will get them here.

Urethramancer

on Jun 24, 2005

I like the new system, and there are a lot of games I am pondering now. In fact,
more games than I have tokens for

I got a link to GameTunnel from an aquaintance who also has interest in
indie games, and there are a lot of good games I'd like to see added to TGN:
I of the Enemy, Outpost Kaloki, Leylines, Anito..the list was longer, but I see the
rest in Stardock Central, so I'm happy

Yarlen

on Jun 26, 2005

Hi guys,

If there are specific games you'd like to suggest (like EvilIdler), just post here or email me (bclair@stardock.com). Unfortunately there's really no good way for us to announce what games we will be adding to the service ahead of time for Indies - the lack of extreme red tape means the turnaround is very fast. What we can do is make a forum post in the future (I'll make it sticky) that may give you a few days heads-up on new titles. Usually it doesn't take longer than 2-3 days before a new Indie offering is good to go on TGN.

ioticus

on Jun 26, 2005

Any game from Battlefront, Matrix Games, or Shrapnel Games. Too many games to list. They are great publishers of niche games, especially wargames.

Fate (WildTangent)

Star Chamber (Nyantara)

Space Empires IV Deluxe (Strategy First)

Etherlords 2 (Strategy First)

Imperial Glory (Eidos)

Supreme Ruler 2010 (Strategy First)

Silent Hunter III !!! (Ubisoft)

IL-2 Sturmovik Gold Edition (Ubisoft)

I hope this gives you an idea of the kinds of games I'd like to see

Jab

on Jun 26, 2005

I've heard alot of nasty rumors about drivers like starforge which can slow down cd access , which is in alot of big time games, rumor is in certain games from Ubisoft and Wild Tangent, if you guys are able to get games from those companies will the security devices be removed since we're downloading them?

Well games from me:

Oasis (not sure the developer)

Probably at least one huge majhong game ( sorry had to say it

)

Perhaps that Darwina (from introvision, makers of uplink)

Immortial Cites Children of the nile might be good ( Tilted Mill)

If you guys can find any hidden gems like Flatspace or neat puzzle games like oasis that would be cool. There's probably a ton more games I can't remember
right now.

Vinco

on Jun 26, 2005

Heh... Even though I have Darwinia (pre-ordered it directly from introversion).. I hope you are able to add it to TG.net. I'd love to see more people get a chance to experience it.

Jab

on Jun 26, 2005

Hm, star chamber is still around? I'm just wondering how will tokens and such work since you can buy packs of cards, unless they changed that. Any chance that smaller MMO games could be added ? Like A tale in the desert 2? I got hooked for alittle bit but the game really needed a better help and manual system.

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