Joining now, joining later.

Can he pick up a super cheap copy of the game now, and buy GR later if he likes it? I just had a look on ebay.sg and there seemed to be plenty of copies available. That's how I got started with CoX, and I paid much less than the price of a month's sub for the whole game.

He's not in any dire financial straits; he can afford fifteen US dollars a month, and probably the GR Complete Collection purchase. (If he buys now, likely he'll get the Architect Edition on Steam.) I asked him about this specifically.

It's just that he's a lot more fiscally responsible than I am; he's not going to pay anything above a couple of Singapore dollars (works out to be one dollar twenty cents or something US?) sight unseen. He's not miserly, just cautious; if he likes it, he'll buy it.

He also just bought a PS3 and FFXIII, so he's wary about spending big lump sums of money in the immediate future.

Anyway, based on responses in this thread, I'll probably tell him to wait until Ultra Mode is in, and then see what he says about it.

So what exactly is his objection to using Trial Mode? I mean granted, it's a bit limiting for someone with no contacts, but if you are playing you can certainly show him around and lte him get a feel for the game mechanics, play with customization, all that stuff. All without spending a dime.

If he likes it enough, he takes the plunge. If not, well, better to find out free than by paying. Ultra mode and GR, while cool and all, will not be enough to change his mind.

If he objects to the download, burn a copy of the files onto a DVD or a portable drive and load them on his machine, then let the updater 'fix' them. I think that works, tho checking in with the techheads in the tech issues forum might be wise...

If it were me, I'd encourage him to get in now, while there is -less- content.

Why? Well, I've only got myself to go on, but I love getting new -stuff-. He starts playing now, he has the game as-is. Then in a few weeks, the graphics get a boost, demon summoning drops in (if he's prepurchased GR), new enemies and such, updates to some of the stuff- this is kind of a big update. The three months later, GR will drop. Lotsa new stuff. Then three months after that, we get I19 and the Incarnate system- handy if he's the kinda person to get to 50 in that time. I know of folks that can.

The point being if he comes in now then he gets to see some pretty active and rapid progression. if he shows up after GR then... maybe. it depends on the dev's schedule post I19.

Might be a god hook for him, anyhow.

Though less of a persuasive argument you can use, I suppose...

my take is, given what you have said about what he wants. have him demo it after 17 hits and have him buy when the boxed set hits for gr, he has his game-card full for the close future, so may as well have him demo it when he can see one thing eh wants, and he can get the ebst value from gettign the box(is Singapore getting the box? or is he just mail-ordering it?)

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

I honestly think they need to do what Steam does.

Have an option to buy game stuff for other people's accounts for gifts. SO perhaps if you have spare dollars, he does not, you could have him set up account, then buy him said expansion gift it to his account.

Would be nice.


JJ