Pandora: First Contact has officially been released! :D

[ElegantCaveman]

Purchase links are live on Slitherine's store!

• PC
• Mac
• Linux

[Xiol]

It seems that a purchase will only buy the game for one platform.

I use Windows, Linux and OSX regularly and I'd like to play it on whichever device I'm using. Do I have to buy the game three times in order to be able to do this?

[Longasc]

I hope you get an answer soon, Xiol. It's a very good game, I hope you can get it for all three devices.

[IainMcNeil]

At the moment we only have a system for delivering one file per purchase. We're investigating with our payment provider if that can be increased but its not possible right now unfortunately.

If there is demand we can add a way to convert to a new platform for a small fee - say $5, and we provide the download link without a new serial. It's quite a bit of work to set up but we're happy to do it if people think it would be useful.

[Xiol]

That's not great. It really puts me off buying the game as I can't play on my laptop (OSX) and desktop (Windows), depending on if I want to laze around on the couch or not.

You should really offer something equivalent to Steam Play - one purchase, access to the game on all platforms.

[IainMcNeil]

It is something we've been reviewing for some time but there is no obvious solution unfortunately.

[jdmillard]

At the moment we only have a system for delivering one file per purchase. We're investigating with our payment provider if that can be increased but its not possible right now unfortunately.

If there is demand we can add a way to convert to a new platform for a small fee - say $5, and we provide the download link without a new serial. It's quite a bit of work to set up but we're happy to do it if people think it would be useful.

I prefer the first option.

I think switching between platforms would just be a headache for both you guys and the customers.

I'll likely wait a bit before purchasing to see how this plays out.

[jdmillard]

At the moment we only have a system for delivering one file per purchase.

In the Beta forum I think it was suggested that the 3 install folders (one for each OS) be compressed into 1 larger zipped folder. This might create other problems being so big, but has it been discussed?

[IainMcNeil]

In the past we've only had about a dozen requests for this across all the multi format games so its not something that was ever prioritized. If enough people see it as an issue we can look in to it but it does require significant work to make any changes to the site so we need to know the time is not better spent elsewhere on features more in demand.

[OnTheContrary]

I would welcome a solution to this problem - right now I'm on OS X but in two years' time I might be on Linux, who knows. Interestingly, Battle Academy as well as scores of other indies offer a very comfortable solution - make the client available to download but require a license key (as you already do).

Then all you need to do is simply give the customer the license key when he/she buys the game.

[comrad]

Great, I bought the game for the wrong platform. Didn't consider that it would be necessary to click the operating system in the top. What now?

[SephiRok]

I guess the best course of action is to mail Slitherine and complain as loudly as you can! support@slitherine.co.uk

[vv221]

Great, I bought the game for the wrong platform. Didn't consider that it would be necessary to click the operating system in the top. What now?

Too impatient to buy the game, I did the same mistake (the link with the coupon in my e-mail directs me to Windows version, and I didn't check further).
I "complained" to the provided e-mail, but not really loudly, I hope it will be enough!

Side question: no boxed version for Linux??

[TractorBoy]

I've just come across this game, and as a huge fan of SMAC, I'm really keen to get hold of this.

Quick question re the boxed game though - will the game install and run in its entirety straight from the disk, or will it be necessary to go on line and register through Steam? I loathe Steam with a passion and I only buy games that install and run standalone with the disk.

[Veneke]

There's no option to install through steam at the moment so you're good. It's just like the good old days of boxed games, long codes written on bits of cardboard and manuals. Oh man, manuals!

But yeah, there's no steam requirement as it isn't on steam.

[TractorBoy]

There's no option to install through steam at the moment so you're good. It's just like the good old days of boxed games, long codes written on bits of cardboard and manuals. Oh man, manuals!

But yeah, there's no steam requirement as it isn't on steam.

Heaven! Thanks alot. Order placed.

[IainMcNeil]

The boxed version does not require any online activation. We don't use Steam at all currently and if we do we wont be adding it to boxed versions. Once you buy a game from us your own it and can install or re-download as often as you like.

[TractorBoy]

Thanks. My PC gaming has dropped off due to on-line activiation & security and its good to find a distributer that doesn't use it. Going to have to start looking through your catalogue now!!!

[Barbariandude]

I assumed, based on my experiences with humble bundles and steam, that buying would unlock it for every platform (which is incredibly reasonable). I sent an email to the support staff, thinking being offered only a .exe file to download was some sort of error or bug. Then I hopped onto the forum to see this... I really hope that if it's not possible to change my purchase from Windows to Linux that I'm able to get a refund. You should really make this facet of the purchase much clearer, or maybe have the operating system choice be a mandatory choice that is presented to the customer just before the payment screen. Even just changing the word "PC" to "Windows" would make this clearer, as I saw "Pandora (PC) - Digital Download", and it didn't even enter my mind that this was the Windows-specific download, as PC is the general term for Personal Computer, and encompasses Windows, Mac and Linux (even BSD and Hurd, with all 5 of their users).

I guess atleast I should be thankful that I can use Wine to run the Windows version until support rectifies this situation. If the situation were reversed and the default buy page was Mac or Linux, then the majority of your userbase would be SOL, as there is no equivalent to run Linux or Mac programs under Windows.

EDIT: Looks like I'm not the only one to make this mistake, pretty much every Linux customer on reddit did the same thing: /r/linux_gaming/comments/1qmj8z/pandora_first_contact_released/

[jdmillard]

PC is the general term for Personal Computer, and encompasses Windows, Mac and Linux

If anyone doesn't believe him, he's right. I was just about to say something like this too.