Savage 2 - Preorders and Betas

[Melbosa]

Source: https://savage2.s2games.com/preorder.php



I can't express how looking forward I am to this game.  Sounds like fall for a release.

[Lazybones]

Ooooo Yaaaa

[Shayne]

Im still holding on to hope for this game.  indy developers are doing better and better (GalCiv2 - Strategy Game of the Year candidate) so hopefully they can make it against the odds.

[Melbosa]

Now this is interesting:



Source: http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/698/698722p1.html

March 28, 2006 - Interesting... S2 Games has today announced that Savage 2: A Tortured Soul will be a free download, although one will have to purchase a CD-key for $29.99 to play online:



   Independent Game Developer S2 Games announced today that Savage 2: A Tortured Soul, the much anticipated sequel to their award winning first title, Savage: The Battle for Newerth, will be available for download via the S2 Games Website anywhere, anytime, and on any computer for free. Gamers worldwide will be able to "sample" Savage 2 on any local area network (LAN) and will be able to play the artificial intelligence (AI)/practice mode along with the game's included tutorial via the no charge access. They will then have the opportunity to purchase an account for $29.99 USD, which will grant them access to full online gameplay.



   Though the free download will not withhold any of the core gameplay elements, there will be certain features that will only be enabled in online play. The main feature that will be missing will be the ability to play against people online -- other than those on their LAN. Additionally, for players wishing to build their character and save their overall stats, persistent items and experiences, purchasing an account for $29.99 will be the only way to go, thus allowing them to play the game online with other real players on servers hosted by S2 Games.



   "We pride ourselves on being truly independent and basing many of our decisions on how our fans will benefit," said Marc DeForest, co-founder and lead designer of S2 Games. "By offering a fully functional game as a free download, it will give gamers an opportunity to 'test drive' Savage 2 before actually paying for an account and playing online. As gamers, we know we would appreciate that kind of treatment ourselves, so it's only right that we do unto others."



A good way to prevent piracy me thinks.

-- Andrew Burnes

[Mr. Analog]

Weird but cool!

[Thorin]

A good way to prevent piracy me thinks.

Is it still piracy if it's free?  Hmm...

[Ustauk]

Hmm, if its actaully free for LAN paly, do you think we could get half of Frag playing this?

[Cova]

If its out in time (or even just a beta is) the chances of it being at frag are quite high.

[Tonnica]

Man, if they go through with that it'd be totally rad. Plus it'd be a great bit of PR and an even better way to turn more people on to Savage!

[Mr. Analog]

turn more people on to Savage!

I beleive there is enough interest in "beast on beast" web-content...



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[Cova]

I beleive there is enough interest in "beast on beast" web-content...

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Yes - but Savage is more into promoting "beast on human".

[Darren Dirt]

If its out in time (or even just a beta is) the chances of it being at frag are quite high.

Brilliant business concept; an improvement on the actually-playable-complete-level demo idea (which incidently is how I got hooked into the experience that is Deus Ex): get people HOOKED on the gameplay, the dynamics, the "universe", and they'll pay to play against others... that's just sane enough to work

[Melbosa]

Savage Update

From there FAQ:

Will there be a demo?

The game files are absolutely free to download and install on any computer. This will allow people to use LAN Mode (non-commercial), Practice Mode, and Tutorial absolutely free of charge. You can sign up for a free demo account to play online. This will give the full version of the game for 7 days with nagware to entice people to activate their account by purchasing directly in game. By purchasing the account they will lose the nagware, longer spawn times, and timed trial account.

But will they be done by Frag ...