Cities XL...Scared

[gspang4207 0]

I think I am just as excited as the next person for Cities XL, however, I am scared.  I think a couple of missteps here from the developer have the chance of making this game a complete flop.

1.  Not releasing in English first?!  Now, I am not trying to be selfish to other languages out there, but lets face it...English is one of the primary languages in the world.  Not releasing this game in English along with the other languages or at least providing a relase date for an English version, is a really silly move, if you ask me.  This site has really hyped this game up, lots of free advertising for Cities XL, and they aren't even going to release an English version on the announed release date?

2.  Paying for upgrades/online service...So yea, you can play the game solo and play online...I get it.  So, they want you to purchase the game and pay a fee to play online (again, the online fees not posted in American Dollars)?  Pay a fee for updates and gems for the game...?  I dunno, I am a little hesitient on that one.  If I am paying for something, it better be worth it.

Those are a couple of my thoughts.  In my opinon, without playing the game, I am worried this game is going to be in the $10 junk video game bin at Walmart very quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts or something I am not understanding here?

I really hope this game is fun and cool  I am tired of being hyped up about it.  Announce a release date (ENGLISH) and release the darn game already.

[toxicpiano 125]

So an ignorant american posts his ignorant opinion about how the world should revolve around America?

[mightygoose 92]

seconded,

proposal of motion to lock and lock thread?

[dasilva 3]

I won't reply on the English point simply because we told several times we will release the game in English but we just still don't know when and instead of giving you some fictionous date took from the head of one's marketer, we prefer to be honest and tell you that for now, we don't have a release date yet for the English version. Oh... I did answer the question?! Damned... I did it again

Now on the Paying for upgrades and online service.

Yes, we will be asking players willing to share an online persistent experience with thousands of other players for a small fee. We decided expressly that we didn't want this fee to be like other MMOs and we are aiming on a pricing policy that states that 3 months of Cities XL Planet Offer will cost players the equivalent of 1 month of a Premium MMORPG.

Yes, players subscribing to the Planet Offer will get as part of their service additional content created by our studios. So for the price of the service access, players won't have to pay for a Content box on retail like the Sims and other games have used as their distribution politic.

And just to make sure that I do not create confusion: the additional content that will be part of the Planet Offer subscription service is content made by US. Custom content is a totally external discussion that we will enter as soon as we get the first version of the game released.

[gspang4207 0]

So you two have played the game in German? How was it? Oh yea, respond back in German then, since you can do without an English version.

[Haljackey 17,304]

I'll have to back up dasilva and Monte Cristo here.

So what if the game is going to be released in French and German first?  This isn't uncommon, especially when the developer is not located in an English-speaking country. Is it really a big deal to wait just a bit longer for an English copy? No, its not.  Its the company's decision, and I'm sure they have their reasons for doing so.

About the fees online, I can't comment about that since I don't know a whole lot about it. Just check out what Philippe mentioned above and what's posted on the development site. You don't "have" to pay for it. I'm sure the figures will be in American dollars soon or when the game is released.

Cities XL is looking like quality material, so I don't think it will be found in the junk bin for a long time.

We just have to be understand Monte Cristo's business strategy and be patient until a release date is announced for an English version. I'm sure that day is not too far away.

-Haljackey

[Jasoncw 11,840]

For just about every product in existance, non-English speaking countries have waited months for localizations, if they ever come out at all.  Almost every music album, movie, video game--everything, the rest of the world has to wait for. 

I think it's fair that a French company is making the game in French first.

Also, I think they're fully aware of how large of a market the English speaking world is, and I'm sure they considered this in their business plans and their localization decisions.

[gspang4207 0]

Ok, what if they announce the English version won't be released until 3rd Quarter 2010...

[un1 41]

Well, then we will all have to deal with that, I can wait (but I can also speak French so if I really wanted the game I could play it in French), and probably most of the 6 billion people on Earth. Also, they have a English game, (dirk played it when he was invited there) just they can't find a company who will publish it in North America yet (or so I believe).

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Then so be it. It is the choice of the developer.

Let me put it this way, since so many valid points have already been made (but ignored somehow), you can demand anything and everything you want and get your way when YOU are the one making the game. If you create something, its going to be in a language you understand with prices that are familiar to you. If you wrote an essay for a newspaper in the USA, but typed it in Chinese and then demanded payment in pounds, would that make any sense to you?

I think they know what they are doing, and I don't disagree with their payment philosophy either.

-Todd

[edmonton_stinks 5]

What about when Nintendo and Sony release their games in Japanese first? They're releasing it first in France and Germany (among other places), so it should be in French and German. When the game is released in North America and Britain, we'll get an English version. Just be patient.

[830point35 8]

Let them release it in Swahili if they want. My estimation is that they will probably encounter a ton of bugs in the first release. An English version will hit a huge population and if there are some weird flaws it could ruin the product image. A smaller release in their native language should allow them to more easily fix any problems and then they could release a flawless product in mine.

[Shingure 56]

I say that they should let them release in French and German first so that way if there are any bugs and any issues with the game. By the time the English localization and release comes around there will be a vaccine or a complete redo of the version to rectify the issue. Also Toxicpiano , You could have made your point alittle nicer. I mean I understand where you are coming from , but the sniping wasn't needed, He was simply seeking information and Dasvila gave it to him in the proper format as he knows a majority of what is going on with this game.

[sithlrd98 66]

I have to agree about how most others have said. Releasing this game  in whatever language the developer deems appropriate is the perogative of said developer. You probably are gonna be one of the many who are just gonna try a get it from (fill in name of illegal content sharer) anyway! Come on , its just a game.

Jayson

[lifelookingforstyle 0]

Originally posted by: gspang4207

So you two have played the game in German? How was it? Oh yea, respond back in German then, since you can do without an English version.quote>

that was pretty rude dude, c'mon now

I just want to know, when the citiesXL is finally released will those of us who speak german or french in the states be able to obtain it too?

[dedgren 830]

Beyond rude, it's disgraceful and disgusting. I'm not MC's biggest fan at this point, but I think it is perfectly entitled to release CXL initially in whatever language it would choose, and English only when it's good and ready. This is a worldwide community- we speak English on this site and others for convenience. That doesn't mean English-speakers (me included) deserve the least little bit of preference.

David

[bixel 1,223]

That's it, from now on, every time I release custom content I am making sure its in French only.

[warrior 169]

You realise that not everyone has to work in USD and US forms. They are french the game will be in French automaticallyso there's a definate release date, they have obviously got a German Translator already so the know when the German version will be ready, the only haven't got a person to create the English version, so there's no release date.(for all we know it could be September the 2nd)

GEMs are similar to Apps on an iPhone/iPod, you've already paid for the phone, and the contract but you have to pay extra for apps, you don't need them but you might want them, noone is forcing you.

Online it costs to maintain servers, get it set up, etc, they're not making this game for free, they need to be able to live and have a salary(/wage or whatever)

Seperately they're all pretty normal, an charge for the online section, and a charge for mini addons. But together you could say they add up to quite a bit.

Well my friend spent about

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: gspang4207

So you two have played the game in German? How was it? Oh yea, respond back in German then, since you can do without an English version.quote>

I don't speak German, so I will wait patiently for an English version and not expect a French developer to bend to my every beck and call.

[Patricius Maximus 236]

Those are hardly my worst fears.

[sithlrd98 66]

Originally posted by: bixel

That's it, from now on, every time I release custom content I am making sure its in French only.quote>

Guess I need to learn French soon!

Jayson

[gspang4207 0]

Holy cow...talk about blown way out of proportion...First of all, I do not download illegal software, I have the money to purchase what I want and pay for the online version, if I so desire. So, lets not talk about how rude my comments are, look in the mirror.

Secondly, this is only my humble opinion. I don't really care what language it comes in. If they don't make an English version, then my money and probably a lot of others' money is not worth it to them. The point I was trying to make was about a business move. They have talked about the game NON-STOP on this site and others, provided screenshots, etc...and then they release the game but not in English? Why is their website in English? Maybe it should be in French, since they are a French company?

I am not an ignorant American, as stated in this thread. I can be rude, so I won't deny that.

Toxic, I am not expecting anyone to bend at my every call. So your comment is off base, and lets try rude. Frankly, I don't care if the French own the company, the British, Barack Obama owns, who cares. If you are going to make something, market it to a group of people, release it to that group, thats what I was saying.

If they are not planning on releasing the English version along with the other languages, the free advertising should stop and resume when they have an actual date for the English version.

You guys act like this game was made by Jesus Christ. Its made by a company, that is out for itself, thats why they want you to pay a monthly fee to pay online and download content and updates. They don't really care what I think, what you think, what anyone on this site thinks, all they care about is what the sales reports will look like once the game is finally released. Call me rude or whatever you seem fit, but that's the reality of the situation.

[dasilva 3]

Actually our website is in English, French and German

Now, we would have loved to release the game worldwide in all possible languages. The point is that it is just not possible at the moment.

When some of you share their thoughts, they seem not to realize how hard all of this is. I mean, I'm not looking for your pity because we just love working hard on the game but the whole team is really working like hell to deliver more than a descent game.

Let me just remind you who we are: Monte Cristo is a rather small independent studio (around 80 persons) who decided that it was a good strategy to put all its efforts in developing a good City Builder game. We went out and decided to raise enough money to invest in the project. We made it all with our own hands, all the code was produced in house (except for trees which we are using SpeedTree technology), and we have been so far communicating mostly on our own about the game...

Now that we are getting closer to the release date, we need to make some decisions and so far, we cannot give any release date for other languages than French and German. As soon as we can, we'll let you know...

We definitivelly aren't totally stupid: we know that there are much more English speaking countries than French or German; but that's just how it is for now.

[gspang4207 0]

No one said you were stupid, just asking some questions on the plan. Thank you for your hard work, btw.

[sithhappens 0]

Sorry guys, but according to Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language ), English ranks 3rd highest in the world with native speakers, 1 or 2 if you count all who can speak English. And this has nothing to do with US alone. You have people in UK, India, Canada, Philippines, Australia who can speak English as their native language. And don't forget to include other countries, such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and others, who are taught English in their schools. So please drop the Americanism argument.

There are different dialects of English (American, British, Australian, etc), but I'm sure all languages have some dialect. You might as well say that Swedish, Norwegian and Danish are dialects, since all of them can talk in their native language on public television, and everyone could understand each other without too much difficulty.

However, not releasing the game in English (even if the translations aren't 100% correct in beta) will not help give good feedback from a variety of users. If you really want a good game, look at World of Warcraft. Even the European servers have support in English, French, and German at the time of release.

[LivingInThePast 364]

While wanting it to be released in English is a bit pretentious, sithhappens is right, because they do learn English. In fact, I'd rather they wait and release it in Americanized dialect than release it in UK dialect and forget about the US dialect.

I'll take French over Simlish any day.

[Loney 22]

The game developer gets to decide which game version to release, and releasing in their native language makes it easier to locate program bugs.

The world isn't fair, keep that in mind.

[willisj 1]

I am a little disappointed that we English speakers will have to wait a little longer for Cities XL because most of us are climbing the walls to get our hands on it. However, it IS up to the developer to decide how.when & where their product is released etc. I dont care when it comes out in English, I will buy it regardless !!

Lets not use what promises to be a spectacular game as a rallying point for cheap, rude shots at the Americans it's very juvenile of you. (No, Im not American, Im Australian)

Thanks, MC for all your work in trying to give us, game-starved, Sim City 4 nuts what we are screaming out for, we appreciate it greatly.

Well, I'm off now to continue my wall-climbing....................

[aking88 7]

Originally posted by: gspang4207

I think I am just as excited as the next person for Cities XL, however, I am scared.  I think a couple of missteps here from the developer have the chance of making this game a complete flop.

1.  Not releasing in English first?!  Now, I am not trying to be selfish to other languages out there, but lets face it...English is one of the primary languages in the world.  Not releasing this game in English along with the other languages or at least providing a relase date for an English version, is a really silly move, if you ask me.  This site has really hyped this game up, lots of free advertising for Cities XL, and they aren't even going to release an English version on the announed release date?

2.  Paying for upgrades/online service...So yea, you can play the game solo and play online...I get it.  So, they want you to purchase the game and pay a fee to play online (again, the online fees not posted in American Dollars)?  Pay a fee for updates and gems for the game...?  I dunno, I am a little hesitient on that one.  If I am paying for something, it better be worth it.

Those are a couple of my thoughts.  In my opinon, without playing the game, I am worried this game is going to be in the $10 junk video game bin at Walmart very quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts or something I am not understanding here?

I really hope this game is fun and cool  I am tired of being hyped up about it.  Announce a release date (ENGLISH) and release the darn game already.

quote>

Surely, there are things that can be considered about the actual contents of this game. But if you think the two reasons you mentioned are going to affect it then I do not know how you are reasoning at all. So what if it is not in English first. Some will need to wait a few weeks... buu huu, that will really destroy the game huh :/ . Makes no sense at all. There are many Japanese games which are released in Japan and Japanese first, for example.

As for the second point, you will only pay for what you want, you do not need to if you do not want to. But these things cost to develop, if you are fine with a game that is realtively soon after abandoned then do not pay for the extra developments and do not get them either. Do you think that the new developments and content develop and support themselves?

I realize that what I wrote above is rough or what have you, its supposed to be. Its quite tiring to read such un-thought through nonsense. If you are going to criticize things like this then at least have something to come with. How this is managed, how the prices will work and whether the game will do well in a manner to support such further development, that is another issue.

Furthermore there will almost guaranteedly be a lot of free patches and extra content as well in the forms of general patches and certain new content.

In the meantime, why doesnt everyone who owns a Simcity 4 copy go to EA Games and ask them to give them the Rush Hour Expansion Pack for free? Or while one is at it why not ask them to maybe develop a new one, for free of course, also? There is a lot of new technologies and features I would want to SImcity, what an absolutely brilliantly genious idea to demand it for free!

I do think that it is important that the fees are reasonable and reflect the service/product. There is no guarantee that this will succeed, but on the other hand MC are taking an economical risk by aiming to do this in the first place. I personally think they are doing a good thing, it will take something special and for the genre extraordinary to compete with SC4. We will see about the execution...

I remember that Maxis always had an evident quality check for what they produced and released, they did not include content that was not up to those standards, let us not forget that Maxis even cancelled Simville very long into its development simply because it was not being up to their standards. Monte Cristo need to expect a certain standard from themselves also, and make sure they meet that standard with what they release.

I am saying this for a reason because the motorway interchange shown on their site some month ago was not up to the standards id expect, if they are going to release it like that, then they should serously consider simply stripping it from the game unless they fix it until the game release. Id rather have a few well done interchanges to begin with, than many bad ones.

One thing I am wondering is if this game design will appeal and entertain new players of the genre, I really hope it will attract new genre players.

[gspang4207 0]

Thanks for having the last word, aking. I can only hope that someday I am as smart as you are. IT'S A VIDEO GAME. LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE.