UT2004: Petition for optional DVD version

[legacy-Scorpion-c]

First of all i need to talk to Kenwood. They manufactured the TrueX CD-Rom drive that has a 7 beam laser and a spin of only 12x while 6 Tracks can be read at the same time it makes the Speed of 72x by the noise of a 12x time CD-Rom. PLZ Kenwood do the same with a DVD-Rom plz plz plz.

OK enough of exotic Hardware ;).

I have already Baldurs Gate and The Moon Project on DVD and i like it to Play Baldurs Gate without even 1 CD change in the fact that i need to wandering around the Map and do quests the CD Version need a few changes when traveling over a border. Or anyone remember Wing Commander 4 ?? and the change of the CD's every time you die ??? Very Funny really. Ok i know its not the same cause you install UT2k4 and thats it but... ... i will hate it every time i install UT2k4 i guess.

btw. the arguments of the CD-Rom guys are still the same ... ...since 4 Years.

[legacy-Flying_killer]

And what will i have to do?
if i don't have a dvd-rom :mad:
To you see me fartin money?
Like i'm able to buy new computers and computerparts for every game.
Game makers make it impossible to play good games without having to upgrade your computer every time.

[legacy-BigBen]

Originally posted by Flying_killer
And what will i have to do?
if i don't have a dvd-rom :mad:
Just buy the CD version of UT 2004. But a DVD-ROM would be better ;)

@Lord_Mithril
hehe... perfect timing ;-)

[legacy-Lord_Mithril]

Originally posted by Flying_killer
And what will i have to do?
if i don't have a dvd-rom :mad:
buy the normal cd version instead of the OPTIONAL dvd version ;)

[legacy-LeJimster]

Originally posted by hughbackov
No the equipment and media costs more and there are fewer manufacturing plants so that makes the cost to manufacture more expensive. Plus there are the royalty issues.


It's a whole consortium of companies. The licenses are bought from the trade group. It's one-stop shopping. ;)

I'm still not convinced on this whole thing tbh. When u consider how many DVD Movies are released. When u consider console games are now on DVD.

Eitherway, if I can buy a DVD movie @ 9.99 and the retailers etc, are still making a profit. Then the same (maybe even moreso) should be for games retailing at 39.99 etc. And if they were to make a DVD version as a "special edition" they can get away with pricing it higher than the cdrom version. Whats true tho, is that if they do release a DVD version I will be definetley buying it over a CD version.

[legacy-Darknezz26]

YES

[legacy-Somey]

Actually as far as I'm concerned I'm not buying UT2004 if it's not released on DVD. And even if I do I'm considering not getting it unless they include an install option to allow leaving a good deal of the game data on the DVD rather than copying 5 cd's worth of data to my harddrive.

You are all complaining how DVD versions would be bad because you'd have to buy a cheap dvd-rom drive. Yet nobody complains about the 5 gigs it's going to consume of your harddrive. (I know a cd doesn't have to contain 1 gig worth of data but the 3 cd's for UT2003 did)
I'm sure that for this issue you would say something like harddrives are cheap now. I'm pretty sure there are more people with limited amounts of disk space than there are with only cd-rom drives. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if people with plenty of disk space and just a cd-rom drive are mostly warezers who aren't going to buy the game anyway. They just want a cd version so they can make their back-ups. And by that I mean illegal copies.

Besides such people have no right for complaining if there would be both a cd and dvd version. Though I doubt epic/atari would see much decrease in sales if they went for a DVD version only. Considering the specs of this game and the nature of the game itself the target audience are game adepts who spend loads of money on the latest videoboard, sound, memory and probably a dvd-drive as well.

So a dvd version or you don't have my sale atari.
Also people who are comparing UT2004 with microsoft corporate software and linux distibutions should realise such a comparison is fairly pointless. An operating systems is something you won't be installing and re-installing as much as a pc-game. Nevertheless certain linux distributors do include a DVD as well as cd copies even though an all cd install is less of a burden for their product.

Finally it would probably be good bussiness strategy for Atari to bundle a DVD version with headset+mic. The last few years they have been doing nothing but rehash old things with cheap packaging. They are doing nothing original and they didn't go to great lengths to inform people UT2003 was actually released back in the days. It's no secret they are doing bad financially but without taking any sort of risk or differentiating themselves such things will not dissapear.
If you want to change things you'll have to stop catering to warezers who aren't going to buy any game and make your products a party for those that do. For example a DVD versions bundled with headset+mic and a launch tournament (and not just in the US).

[Ultron]

Riven came out on DVD 4 years ago. :D

[legacy-LeJimster]

Actually you've brought up some valid points Somey.

1) I agree with having an option to do a "minimal install". I'm sure there could be an option added where the game looks for files in your game dir and the dvd-rom drive. Since my 60gb hdd broke I've had very little drive space to play with, so its going to be a tight squeeze installing UT2004 anyway!

2) The mic/headset should most defenitley be included with a DVD version.. It makes sense to pimp the singleplayer aspects of using a headset (for commanding the bots), but also the VoIP features. I hope Mark can swing this with Atari :up:

[legacy-Mr Evil]

Originally posted by hughbackov
Actually, it wouldn't. CD-ROM's are cheapest to manufacture, and DVD's also have a higher cost for patent royalties.
One CD may be cheaper than one DVD, but one DVD is cheaper than six CDs, plus one DVD requires less packaging resulting in significantly less weight overall and thus much lower shipping costs (didn't I type this before? This thread is so long and old I can't remember).

[legacy-New_kid86]

For obvious reasons I'm not going to read the entire thread (much of the same stuff posted over and over again, too little time,...) but here's my credo:

I voted yes for the optional DVD release along side the CD release for several reasons, both good for the users and for the creators themselves.

1. 6 CD's? This leaves two options for the package. Or it will be quite huge and very expensive for distribution (which will, at it's turn, increase the price for the buyer) or it will be a DVD-case with 6 CD's rammed into it. Needless to say that I'll personally come and burn the people in charge if it's the latter (let alone buy the thing).
2. No idea if UT2004 is going to be good, it looks promising but hey: so did UT2003. If it's good this would be a turning point for DVD releases. A big sale and, if you're all right about the 'most people have DVD-rom's' -thing, alot of DVD versions sold.
3. Hell, a DVD-game? I'd buy it!
4. It can't be copied that easily. So Atari can stop complaining about warez as long as they don't use this great anti-warez protection.
5. It's cheaper for them AND for the buyer. People, we don't need another 'It sucks but hey, let's ask more money than usual. won't harm our reputation' -fiasco like Unreal 2.

[legacy-Mousosaurus]

I want a DVD version!!

5-6 cd's??? Installer are boring and if i have to change discs i have to stay watching the screen. And 6 cd's isn't very usefull.

Almost everyone has a dvd player in the computer. And people that don't have? What's the problem a DVD player is about $40 - 50 that's the price of one game.

[legacy-LeJimster]

Well if we the potential customers aren't making an impression on Atari for a DVD version, hopefully Half Life 2 will help move DVD into the mainstream.. Its set for release at the end of the month, and one of their selling options is the DVD format! aswell as being downloadable off the internet and on CD-ROMs!

It can't be that hard to do, I mean comeon....

[legacy-LeJimster]

Originally posted by Mousosaurus

Almost everyone has a dvd player in the computer. And people that don't have? What's the problem a DVD player is about $40 - 50 that's the price of one game.

yea, even cheaper.. This probably isn't the cheapest.. but u can pick them up for $35 at ebuyer.com (http://www.ebuyer.com)

[legacy-Sp3ct3R]

Yes

i think Dvd is a standard now, so guys, maybe it`s time to upgrade your cd-rom ?

[legacy-Ripper|NL]

DVD. 5 CD's is a waste of space. And installing from 1 DVD is much faster than from 5 CD's.

[legacy-Sexmachine]

DVD !

[Mr. Brownstone]

hughbackov > Double, Multi, Mega, ULTRA-post! It seems you don’t post much, but when you do you it’s feast vs. famine eh? ;)

Anyway, in regards to your concerns with retailers stocking multiple SKU’s of the same product, this can be easily solved with marketing. Just dress up the DVD-edition as a seperate product, calling it a “Special Edition” or whatever. After all, it would be special. Mark Rein himself said he would like to see such an edition with a head-set included in the package. I don’t think any consumers or retailers would argue with that, would they? And you can still have your 6-CD’s, if you want them.

In regards to “CD-shame,” who cares about that? A DVD is convenient. There is no denying the fact that one DVD is more convenient than six CD’s; in terms of cost, packaging, storage, and speed of installation.

[legacy-deebug]

...and it's good for the environment! :confused:

[legacy-Mort_Q]

Originally posted by Mr. Brownstone
hughbackov > Double, Multi, Mega, ULTRA-post! It seems you don’t post much, but when you do you it’s feast vs. famine eh? ;)

Anyway, in regards to your concerns with retailers stocking multiple SKU’s of the same product, this can be easily solved with marketing. Just dress up the DVD-edition as a seperate product, calling it a “Special Edition” or whatever. After all, it would be special. Mark Rein himself said he would like to see such an edition with a head-set included in the package. I don’t think any consumers or retailers would argue with that, would they? And you can still have your 6-CD’s, if you want them.

In regards to “CD-shame,” who cares about that? A DVD is convenient. There is no denying the fact that one DVD is more convenient than six CD’s; in terms of cost, packaging, storage, and speed of installation.

Something else that they could do is a partnership with one of hardware companies.

They could:


have a rebate coupon for a DVD drive with the game, or
have a rebate coupon for the UT2k4 DVD with the purchase of a DVD drive, or
have the UT2k4 DVD come with the purchase of a DVD drive, or
something similar...


Someone has to start the trend...

[legacy-Savay]

UT2k3 should already have been released on DVD...however 3 CDs is still ok BUT 5 or 6 is absolutely insane...:eek:

there is no way get me buying this game on CDs :o period!

i really HATE DJing... :down: i hated it 10 years ago, i still hate it today and i will hate it when there are the first games that `ll ship on >3 DVDs!

[legacy-Athon]

Why is 6 CD's insane? It's not like you have to swap them while playing. You jsut get all 6 out when you need to install. The rest of the time they stay in the box on the shelf.

Athon Solo

[legacy-Somey]

Let's think logically shall we.
So it's ok to force us to buy new harddrives to actually install these 6 cd's on but it's not ok to put it all on a single disk be it cd or dvd? Any disk swapping even at install is rather annoying and does keep me from installing older games to replay them.

[legacy-LeJimster]

Originally posted by Mort_Q
Something else that they could do is a partnership with one of hardware companies.

They could:


have a rebate coupon for a DVD drive with the game, or
have a rebate coupon for the UT2k4 DVD with the purchase of a DVD drive, or
have the UT2k4 DVD come with the purchase of a DVD drive, or
something similar...


Someone has to start the trend...

This could be a good thing actually... Possibly a reason for UT being so successful was that it came packaged with many many brand new Voodoo3 cards. I know quite a few people who didnt buy the retail version and ended up being addicts, from a simple OEM CD :D.

Come on, u know u want it. Vote DVD!

[legacy-j00f00]

I haven't been following the whole 'DVD or CD' issue for very long, but DVD has my vote.

Either way, I'll be happy to open the box and touch the edges of whatever medium UT2k4 comes on.

Unless it's on floppies. Then I'd be mad. (There's NO way :P)

[Mr. Brownstone]

j00f00 > I expect we’d all still be using 5½" floppies if hughbackov had his way. :p

[legacy-Shocky]

DVD Please ! :up: 5 CD's is just taking the @i#s. :p

PS: DVD drives are dirt cheap. Buy one ffs !:weird:

[legacy-Morba]

have we not been told if we are going to get a dvd version yet ?

[legacy-LeJimster]

Nope, I wish Mark or somebody from Atari would commit to promising a DVD version :(. Please!??

[legacy-Morba]

fs what a joke :/

[legacy-[FSB]Med]

DVD Please :up:

[legacy-Corosus]

I love this idea.

[legacy-dr_bend_over]

PUT IT ON A DVD ALREADY!! Cd's are so '80's

[legacy-BigBen]

Originally posted by Mr. Brownstone
j00f00 > I expect we’d all still be using 5½" floppies if hughbackov had his way. :p
:haha:

Originally posted by LeJimster
Nope, I wish Mark or somebody from Atari would commit to promising a DVD version :(. Please!??
You mean Mark "teh demo liar" Rein? ;)


It's time for some new pictures - come on guys :D

Regards,
BigBen

[Mr. Brownstone]

Originally posted by Morba
have we not been told if we are going to get a dvd version yet ? Rest assured I’ll update the title of the thread when we get an “official” response.

I know that Mark and Steve have said before that a DVD version is a “marketing decision,” but they have never elaborated. This is the Atari forums and Atari is the publisher/marketer, so I guess it wouldn’t take much from someone at Epic to give someone at Atari a little nudge to tell us what’s what. ;)

[legacy-j00f00]

Originally posted by Mr. Brownstone
j00f00 > I expect we’d all still be using 5½" floppies if hughbackov had his way. :p

It would cost Atari about 40 times more to put it on floppies, imagine the ut2k4 box being like a rectangle. That scares me, honestly.

It's impossible, they'd never do it :P

[legacy-BigBen]

http://www.feurio.com/shop/Images/artikel/2613_p1.jpg
Maybe this will be the UT2004 CD box :weird:

[Mr. Brownstone]

Originally posted by j00f00
It would cost Atari about 40 times more to put it on floppies, imagine the ut2k4 box being like a rectangle. That scares me, honestly.

It's impossible, they'd never do it :P My obscure and indirect point was that if portable storage mediums never evolved, then neither would software have evolved. The impracticality of trying to distrubute huge files on hundreds of floppy disks would hinder development of applications, or increase their expense due to the need for other, more costly solutions — Like having to call out an engineer to install your software via a network cable, or distributing large applications on hard-disks.

It’s pure speculation, but I would argue that modern games wouldn’t even exist today if it weren’t for CD’s.

[legacy-Viruz-2kr]

I belive as good as everyone which have a computer with the power to run ut2k3/ut2k4, sure have a dvd-rom aswell. Only ppl without dvd rom these days are those with the old p2-400mhz from the seventies, even the laptop's these days have, not a single one is sold without dvd rom. I wouldnt clearly vote for a dvd version of ut2k4 tho, I dont really care, installation is just once anyway, but I still think its easier for the customer with a dvd version, easier installing (there is lots of lazy ppl out there which sure would get annoyed by installing 5 disc's after eachother), and with a dvd version you wouldnt be constantly worried about keeping a headlight over your 5 discs, maybe your littlesister, brother, son or dog ran away with one of the discs, then your doomed. :) Well, In my case, it doesnt matter if its dvd or 5cd, I have my ut2k3 collection on a safe place. :)

[legacy-Powerslave666]

A DVD version would be nice. I'm guessing that about 60-80% of gamers today have DVD drives, so they could either release it on DVD only, or release both but make more DVD than regular CD versions.

[Ultron]

Yes I can't believe it would be more expensive in this day and age to go with DVD's over CD's when you need about 4-5GB stored for a game. You can use a standard box and CD case and save on making a custom one for 6CD's.

[legacy-CaptainZap]

Originally posted by Ultron
Yes I can't believe it would be more expensive in this day and age to go with DVD's over CD's when you need about 4-5GB stored for a game. You can use a standard box and CD case and save on making a custom one for 6CD's.

6 paper sleeves I'm sure. :o

[legacy-Logue]

yes

*bump

[legacy-LeJimster]

better than that, u could put it in a DVD box like we over in the UK had. If also theres a plan to have "goodies" with the special DVD version as an inscentive to buy it.. the DVD box could always be placed in the larger box (just like max payne was).

[legacy-shottah_king]

I vote for a DVD Release cause its anoying having to switch between cd's when installing!!!!!

Plus it will save me space in my CD/DVD Case!!!!

[legacy-Roi Danton]

DVD please!

[legacy-yewnuhtee]

im not intending this on being a flaming post to those who want dvd because "5-6" is "rediculous".. but seriously people, when did the world start being THAT lazy... okay so it might take you an hour or 2 or whatever to swap through the cd's and completely finish the install process, but what is that 1-2 hours really?.. you'll be playing the game a good 1-2 hours just trying it out, and even more than that.. all im saying is that

a) yes we have the technology
b) yes it is very possible and widely accepted as a way to sell a product
c) but does it really matter?

it might be on dvd, it might not, if it is, good for the entire team working on ut2k4, they have found another way to sell a big franchise to the public in a manner that some had hoped for

but if it doesnt sell on dvd format.. take some time off from posting about how annoying it would be, and just do it ffs.. if you want something bad enough, you'll do it anyway you have to, if you're dedicated to something bad enough, you'll do it anyway you have to

its about loyalty and respect and the love of the game, if you like the game, but hate that its on cd.. oh well, its not my problem, you're just showing epic and everyone else involved that you cant suck up the pride you have in your "uber-leet" computer configuration and go back to the "primitive" way of things

that is all, good day, have fun.. its just a game folks :up:

[legacy-LeJimster]

err die plz.

1-2 hours installing something is NOT ok. GTH.

[legacy-yewnuhtee]

Originally posted by LeJimster
err die plz.

1-2 hours installing something is NOT ok. GTH.

so let me ask you something, have you ever downloaded anything that took over an hour to complete? oh and then you have to install it after that.. maybe i should contact every company thats ever made something that in some way or another, had created software that took over an hour to download.. and tell them that what they did was completely wrong and "NOT ok.", then ill tell them to "GTH."

OH THE INHUMANITY.. pop 1 cd in, go do something, check back on it a little later, if its done, continue.. you dont HAVE to sit right there in front of the computer while its installing, you could possibly learn to get a life ;)

as i said at the beginning of my post, it was not intended as a flame, however your reaction leads me to believe that you took offensive to what i said, i apologize if that is the case, but if you're just being a lame kid who thinks he should have the best technology around him at all times, please.. walk outside your door and learn what sunshine feels like

[legacy-[FSB]Med]

If the technology is available to make things easier then why not use it ?

There are more people with DVD-ROM drives than without these days. Plus Im sure the cost of one DVD is cheaper than 6 CD's. Also having only one disk to look after is a damn site easier than keeping track of 6 CD's !!

I can only see positives in releasing a DVD version.

[Kyllian]

How bout this...
Epic releases 2k4 in CD and DVD versions to shut everyone up

[legacy-ScaZZ]

Aye well, a DVD is fine by me like...... :)

[legacy-Mr Evil]

I just had a thought - all this talk about CDs and DVDs, but we're forgetting about those who may be a little behind on the technology curve and have computers without disc drives at all. Atari should provide a paper version for those people. They can then manually type it in in binary, which may take a few weeks, but they only have to do it once.

Shipping costs for five trees worth of paper could be a problem though...

[legacy-Mort_Q]

Originally posted by Mr Evil
I just had a thought - all this talk about CDs and DVDs, but we're forgetting about those who may be a little behind on the technology curve and have computers without disc drives at all. Atari should provide a paper version for those people. They can then manually type it in in binary, which may take a few weeks, but they only have to do it once.

Shipping costs for five trees worth of paper could be a problem though...

:haha:

:bulb:

If these forums are any indication, most people out there don't actually know how to type...

... or maybe they just don't care which keys they're pressing.

Anyway.... DVD Please!

[legacy-Mr. SlackPants]

... bump .... bump.


Yeah if there was a DVD version of the game, i would without a doubt buy that one.

[Mr. Brownstone]

Bumpity-bump. :D

Rock (http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=318547). :up:

[legacy-^vs^Bazza]

there IS going to be a limited edition DVD version..... goto http://unreal-2004.net and check the little talk we had with Mark Rein out ;)

[legacy-MikeSobe]

Originally posted by ^vs^Bazza
there IS going to be a limited edition DVD version..... goto http://unreal-2004.net and check the little talk we had with Mark Rein out ;)

If that is true how do we get it? I want it. Seriously can we get a conformation, and info on how to get it? thanks

[legacy-^vs^Bazza]

i think its going to be kinda like first come first served..... its limited edition so i guess they'll be the 1st batch to be released and then when there gone..... there gone

[Kyllian]

3 words

UT2004: Floppy Edition

[legacy-Logue]

A downloadable version would be nice too for those of us who cant be bothered trcking to the front door or the shops to buy it

[Mr. Brownstone]

Surely you can be bothered to click a few buttons in Amazon, though? :p

[legacy-Logue]

thats why I included front door ;)

[legacy-Mort_Q]

Originally posted by ^vs^Bazza (http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=318547)
First of all a big thanks to Mark for taking the time to answer a few questions :)

It's pretty short but has a few cool facts about ut2004 in it ;)
You can read the IRC chat over at http://unreal-2004.net :)

Oh and btw..... there WILL be a limited edition dvd version :up:

Seems I'm slow today... okay, how about this !?


Quote: (http://unreal-2004.net/ircchat.html)

(@Bulzeebai) Mark, got any idea on what the CD amount is now?

(@MarkRein[Epic]) Bulzeebai--> Not 100% sure, 5 or 6

(+eVOLVE) 5/6 cds? ouch... PLEASE tell me you're gonna release a version on dvd

(@MarkRein[Epic]) eVOLVE--> There will be a DVD version but it will probably be a limited edition.

(@MarkRein[Epic]) Bulzeebai--> These are questions you would have to ask Atari. I'm certainly encouraging them to make as many DVDs as possible but there are some other things in that package that might limit its supply (Can't say more, sorry!)

[Mr. Brownstone]

News so good it’s worth repeating, Mort_Q. ;)

[legacy-MikeSobe]

I would just like to post a congrats. I am not sure if this thread had any impact on the DVD version but I am really happy we got one. Just to add a thanks to Epic / Atari / whoever called the DVD version