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On Orbit => Space Shuttle Mission Simulator (tm) => Topic started by: IceManHG on June 10, 2010, 11:15:57 PM

Title: Boxed copy?
Post by: IceManHG on June 10, 2010, 11:15:57 PM: I like having physical versions of my software. So where can I buy one of the new boxed copies in the USA? California specifically?
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 11, 2010, 03:39:18 AM: Initially through Best Buy. Look it up in their online or in-shop catalogues.

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 03:49:00 AM: Also on Amazon.....but Admin....you may want to get the description changed. It's about a Train Sim! :o

http://www.amazon.com/Space-Shuttle-Mission-Pc/dp/B003BYQ79U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1276206493&sr=8-1
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on June 11, 2010, 03:53:38 AM: And, it's incredibly cheaper too -- Price: $39.99

But, what the hell, the $50 I spent years ago was well worth it !!!
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: pheberer on June 11, 2010, 08:41:25 AM: Quote from: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 03:49:00 AM
Also on Amazon.....

Hey Amazon does not have any reviews yet. Should we give a few reviews to show the greatness of SSM-2007?

Peter H.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 05:53:44 PM: Why not? ;D

But I would like them to get the Train Sim references out also. lol :D
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: pheberer on June 11, 2010, 07:17:27 PM: Quote from: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 05:53:44 PM
Why not? ;D

But I would like them to get the Train Sim references out also. lol :D

When I followed your link last night to Amazon it took me to SSM-2007 not the train sim. Strange.

Peter H.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 10:35:57 PM: Scroll down and read the "Product Features". :D
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: pheberer on June 12, 2010, 02:49:10 AM: Quote from: Greggy_D on June 11, 2010, 10:35:57 PM
Scroll down and read the "Product Features". :D

Yep, I see what you mean. I did not look down at "Prpduct Features". It's still about trains.

Thanks,
Peter H.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on June 12, 2010, 03:06:08 AM: And, oh BTW, sounds like it's the old MS Train Simulator -- which was really pretty good way back when... I enjoyed...
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 12, 2010, 04:35:12 AM: Yeah, I noticed that too. I hope they'll get their act together quickly and fix the description.

I noticed a 5-star review there already and I swear it wasn't me -LOL!

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: pheberer on June 12, 2010, 05:12:20 AM: Quote from: Admin on June 12, 2010, 04:35:12 AM

I noticed a 5-star review there already and I swear it wasn't me -LOL!

/Admin

Gee I wonder who might have written a 5 star review...? Could it have been someone from this forum?

Peter Heberer
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 12, 2010, 06:06:10 AM: LOL! Ah, it was YOU! thanks man!

/Adim
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: IceManHG on June 12, 2010, 11:29:29 AM: I found a boxed copy at a local Best Buy! It was not on the shelves and the clerk had to go to the back to find it. The good news is that other 3 copies that they had are now on the shelves thanks to me!
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: JLM on June 13, 2010, 12:02:28 AM: You should probably get the publishers to sell it at ALL NASA Visitor Center Gift Shops-and see how many NEW people (errr... Crew Members) we meet!
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: schmidtrock on June 13, 2010, 12:06:20 AM: This would probably do well on the shelves of the gift shop of the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: uri_ba on June 13, 2010, 04:22:18 AM: and on KSC, and probably at Huston as well
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on June 13, 2010, 11:53:19 PM: Quote from: schmidtrock on June 13, 2010, 12:06:20 AM
This would probably do well on the shelves of the gift shop of the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

I agree!!! Been a few years since I was there but it's a nice store!
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 14, 2010, 05:26:11 AM: Quote from: JLM on June 13, 2010, 12:02:28 AM
You should probably get the publishers to sell it at ALL NASA Visitor Center Gift Shops-and see how many NEW people (errr... Crew Members) we meet!

As you can easily imagine, this is being dealt with already ;)

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Richard R on June 17, 2010, 07:47:45 AM: Admin:

Checking the avability of SSM 2007 in the stores. I Checked the Local Best Buy there were no copies on the shelves. Checked with an associate it can be ordered. I also met an associate who is very interested in our sim gave him the website address.

Richard R
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 18, 2010, 03:16:09 AM: AFAIK, Best Buy put the sim in about 400-500 of their 700 stores, based on the stores' performance. They want to move a lot of units and they went for their "hottest" stores. They got their first shipment on June 4, but it takes them about 2-4 weeks to actually put products on the shelves. Sorry about that!

If your BB branch doesn't carry it (yet) then you can order it online from them or Amazon.

We'll have some more good news about the availability of the sim in additional (and exciting) chains.

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Richard R on June 18, 2010, 07:18:19 AM: Thanks Admin.

Just trying to do my part to support our sim.

Richard R
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: asterix on June 18, 2010, 03:22:48 PM: Quote from: uri_ba on June 13, 2010, 04:22:18 AM
and on KSC, and probably at Huston as well

I didn't know this sim was endorsed by Angelica :D
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: uri_ba on June 18, 2010, 11:49:57 PM: Check this out :)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Space+Shuttle+Mission+Simulator+Collector%27s+Edition+-+Windows/9901135.p?id=1218191877013&skuId=9901135&st=shuttle&lp=1&cp=1
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Richard R on June 23, 2010, 11:08:12 PM: Admin:

Just ordered my copy from the Best Buy website.

Richard R

:)
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on June 25, 2010, 01:54:21 AM: Quote from: Richard R link=topic=4268.msg31861#msg31861 date=
Admin:

Just ordered my copy from the Best Buy website.

Richard R

:)

Well, we certainly can't compete with the iPhone 4 lines -LOL!

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Richard R on July 01, 2010, 07:22:10 AM: Got the box copy today...Real Cool

:)

Richard R
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Hawk Hunter on July 01, 2010, 09:32:54 AM: was just at the Huntsville Space center, if it doesn't have anything to do with Star Wars, they may not let it out. They have the true Lucas Films Star Wars exibit and that is all they have in the gift shop. I was wanting to buy a model of the space shuttle they told me to hang on for a second and never returned then I asked for help again, they said it had to be Star Wars or nothing at all. Little odd I did find a smaller model in a gift shop out on the main park area of the center. But I was told that I was not the only one asking about SSM 2007.

David H.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on July 01, 2010, 11:37:54 AM: Quote from: Hawk Hunter on July 01, 2010, 09:32:54 AM
was just at the Huntsville Space center, if it doesn't have anything to do with Star Wars, they may not let it out. They have the true Lucas Films Star Wars exibit and that is all they have in the gift shop. I was wanting to buy a model of the space shuttle they told me to hang on for a second and never returned then I asked for help again, they said it had to be Star Wars or nothing at all. Little odd I did find a smaller model in a gift shop out on the main park area of the center. But I was told that I was not the only one asking about SSM 2007.

David H.

The Huntsville Space Center has nothing to do with NASA (except for hosting the small NASA education center). Heck, they have a Narnya show now, which is not really rocket science. Don't blame NASA for this sad state of affairs ;)

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on July 02, 2010, 12:01:58 PM: Quote from: JLM on June 13, 2010, 12:02:28 AM
You should probably get the publishers to sell it at ALL NASA Visitor Center Gift Shops-and see how many NEW people (errr... Crew Members) we meet!

http://www.space-shuttle-mission.com/forum/index.php?topic=4284.0 ;)

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on July 02, 2010, 12:47:36 PM: Awesome. Now we need to get it in the JSC gift shop =p I was in there about two weeks ago and there was a lot less stuff than I remembered x.x There's also a few NASA-themed gift shops in the Houston area such as Space Center Souvenirs ( http://www.houston.com/space-center-souvenirs-b3837491 ) and Rocket Town ( http://www.countdowncreations.com/rocket-town/ ) which I think would be good carriers.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: jarrowlad on July 09, 2010, 04:36:32 PM: Hi, can anyone tell me if you still need an activation code. as i keep forgetting mine
and when my computer gos wrong i find setting ssm up again painfull
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Jack Ryan on July 09, 2010, 06:14:47 PM: Yes, the downloadable version still need the activation code, for the boxed copy you need to insert the cd in order to play.
If you lost your activation code you have to contact the SSM 2007 support and if you still have your order detail, they will provide you another code
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: jarrowlad on July 12, 2010, 05:59:41 PM: Just got the box copy and it is rev 3.1, as i am allready a reg member will i have to register the box copy to up date it to ver 5.30. thanks all
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on July 12, 2010, 06:20:33 PM: 3.1 is the version of the manual! Please run the game and watch the game version in the lower right corner of the splash screen. It says 5.30 which is the latest :)

NO NEED TO install any of the service/mission/features packs!
They are not compatible with the boxed version!

If you do it anyway, it will mess up the installation and you'll need to uninstall and re-install the whole thing again.

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: jarrowlad on July 12, 2010, 06:27:24 PM: Opps did not notice that :o. Thanks for the fast reply.
But do i need to register it for enymore updates in the near future
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on July 12, 2010, 06:47:57 PM: Registration is required for forum access and support.

Obviously you have forum access due to past purchases. When you need support, you can use your old serial number, but if you want to use the boxed serial number, you need to register it.

Basically, what do you care? Register it - it's not painful :)

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: jarrowlad on July 14, 2010, 05:11:07 PM: So if there is any more downloads will they make them compatible with the box version?
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Nats on August 09, 2010, 07:04:53 PM: I was really hoping the checklists might have come as part of the boxed manual and that the manual would at least have been the full one rather than the pretty useless quick start manual, so I was a little disappointed about that. A cockpit panel chart would have also been good. I think the developer missed a great marketing chance there to sell more units. Years ago these kinds of things were standard inclusions in computer game boxes, not everything changes for the better.

At the moment the boxed copy is called a collector's edition but there's actually precious little to make it worthy of the name - boxart, disk and b/w manual, and all the latest patches preinstalled. Hardly worthy of collecting. Hey ho.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on August 09, 2010, 11:18:21 PM: Quote from: Nats on August 09, 2010, 07:04:53 PM
I was really hoping the checklists might have come as part of the boxed manual and that the manual would at least have been the full one rather than the pretty useless quick start manual, so I was a little disappointed about that. A cockpit panel chart would have also been good. I think the developer missed a great marketing chance there to sell more units. Years ago these kinds of things were standard inclusions in computer game boxes, not everything changes for the better.

At the moment the boxed copy is called a collector's edition but there's actually <SNIP>...

Nats, sorry you sound so disappointed. I'll try and provide some answers and put your position in the proper context. I hope that once you learn what we expect to achieve with the boxed version, you'll change your opinion.

The checklists are a private endeavor of one of our users. We could not use them commercially. In a world where all the developers DO NOT GIVE ANY MANUAL AT ALL (even Microsoft stopped that a few FS versions ago), I think it's refreshing that we include a USEFUL, quality-printed quick start manual (B/W in EU, and full color in the US because local considerations which were not up to us). The manual includes a hand-holding mission from liftoff to landing, not only the pathetic installation instructions, hardware requirements and keyboard shortcuts that other developers provide in the rare cases when they include a "manual" in the box. You yourself say that big manuals and charts were the norm "years ago". If so, why single us out and bash us for the change in practice which is industry-wide, especially since we exceed the norm?

Including a big cockpit map (that would have also require a bigger box), would have increased the price considerably. Same goes for printing a 100+ pages (or 200+ including checklists) manual. I don't think that would have gone well with the customers or would have increased their numbers, especially when some people expect to get everything for nothing. Would YOU buy a $75 game? Microsoft tried that once, and failed painfully.

It is easy to expect, request and complain when you chose to ignore realities. I find your comments quite unreasonable, unrealistic and unwarranted in this sense.

And BTW, the package is more aimed at the people who do not own the sim yet, do not like downloadable games, etc. etc. so its value for existing users may be lower, depending on how you regard the whole thing.

I for one, would buy the box even if I had the downloadable version. It is the first boxed edition, of what we plan to be a long-lived series, and it's always nice to own an original box of a software/game you like. Among other collectible software, I have a boxed apple FS I, and a boxed version of the Virgin Shuttle from 1993, because of these reasons. Last and least important, it is another way to supporting the development of the game and showing the appreciation to the team which has been bringing you new free missions and features almost every month, keeping it fresh ever since it's been released (as against to one or two bug fixes offered by other devs, and who usually charge for add-ons). But when some people are seemingly used to expecting everything for nothing, this might be the last of their worries, eh?

But this is only my biased opinion ;)

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Nats on August 10, 2010, 01:11:35 AM: I am not disappointed with the game far from it in fact. I am a little disappointed with the content of the boxed 'Collectors Edition' which these days usually signifies something beyond the normal.

You are right to say that it is not the norm these days to include full size manuals etc in boxes. This all changed with the move to DVD cases. I mentioned it because a game like this screams out for a full size printed manual more than shoot-em-up game releases etc. True it would have increased the price but then surely it would have been up to us whether we would want to pay more for a 'Collectors Edition' with printed checklists and full manual or not. Personally I would have been prepared to pay more for that.

You are exceeding the norm in terms of provision of expansions and ongoing game development. I am sure everyone here appreciates that. But it has nothing to do with any added value to the boxed Collectors Edition as you are also supporting downloaded versions the same.

The bee I have in my bonnet is that to put Collectors Edition on a completely standard dvd game release is false advertising, that is my opinion. I am sorry you feel I am being unjust by mentioning this. I was disappointed with the content, I expressed my opinion.

I love the game though.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on August 10, 2010, 01:50:36 AM: Quote from: Nats on August 10, 2010, 01:11:35 AM
I am not disappointed with the game far from it in fact. I am a little disappointed with the content of the boxed 'Collectors Edition' which these days usually signifies something beyond the normal.

...<SNIP>...

First, you must believe us that if we could have had our way, we would have gone for a far more impressive package, but the market, economy situation and the skyrocketing manufacturing prices forced both us and our publishers to go for a more realistic and user-accessible "hard" content than our biased love for our sim suggested.

In our context, "collector's" means all the missions and features ever released for the sim, in a single, easily installable, beautifully printed, collectible package, with a price accessible to a large audience, even during the dire economic times which has been messing with everybody's lives for the last two years.

I am afraid that you being ready to pay $75 for a game puts you in a valued, but very small minority. That's what the industry gurus learned the hard way. However, this would have increased the entry ticket price to the Space Shuttle "club" for many, less financially fortunate but equally or even more interested. And we are not prepared to lose this part of the market. Actually we struggled to keep the prices of the downloaded and boxed versions at the same level, at the expense of making a higher profit.

Next, I must strongly reject your "false advertising" claim. We never promised anything that we do not offer, never claimed the printed manual was anything else than the Quick Start Guide, and definitely never hinted that we offer a full cockpit poster inside. Actually, when you hold the CD box in your hands, you cannot even hope to find these inside. This is in a stark contrast to another common (negative) practice in the software business: selling the game inside a luscious huge box, without anything inside but a single CD/DVD with a printed license agreement and no manual in sight. Actually I also miss the old big, colorful boxes, with huge manuals (Falcon 4 style), but alas, those times are gone forever, and there are many happy trees out there thankful for this change :) I remember the MS announcement that they will forego with printed manuals for ALL their software, Windows, Office, games, etc. and the rest of the industry followed suit (or was it the other way around?). Anyway, these 5 years old analyst predictions proved correct: minimal packaging, no printed stuff. We were left with the option to investing in beautifully designed and full color box and CD and a useful Quick Start full-color manual (color manual in only US anyway), printed on high-quality shiny paper. Going for a less "honorable" design and materials quality would have reduced the costs considerably, but then we wouldn't have felt that we did our best to do justice to our sim, and to our customers.

In all our advertising and media we insist in telling our customers exactly what they get, we use in-game videos and pictures without trying to "beautify" the message with real NASA footage or other tricks. We've never lied or misled anybody, but we cannot prevent wishful thinking. We cannot help it if users want to believe that we offer something else, despite our best and most honest efforts to be very clear and forthcoming about our products.

But if you are still interested in having a poster, you can actually buy one. See the link in the Announcements board. Depending on which printing size and quality you chose, this may actuallly bring you to less than the $75 you said you were prepared to pay for the box ;)

We have also toyed with the idea of offering the Commander's Reference Manual in printed version, for a price, but then we decided that not many would be interested in one anyway, especially since we offer the electronic version already, and interested people print the checklists and manuals anyway and cheaper too - if they chose to print on both sides of the page.

Last, I am happy you're enjoying the sim. At least we got that part right, and I think that this is more important than your expectation to find a poster and a full 200+ pages book inside a standard CD box.

I hope that this insight about how and why we decided to go the way we went, and our forthcoming attitude to your challenge, will change your initial unfair perception about our intentions, box format and its contents.

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Nats on August 10, 2010, 10:30:06 PM: Well I am not disappointed with the product overall and I have made my point. Thanks for producing such a great game and good luck with the new one.
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on August 11, 2010, 04:37:37 AM: Well anyway, I like the idea of the "boxed" edition, as I can give it as a B-Day/Christmas gift to someone =-= but, personally, I'm completely satisfied with the "download" version just for myself...

To each his own, I guess...

And, I am looking forward to the v2010 -- it's just that I don't have the time to spend on enjoying the product, as of lately .... this "working" thing really gets in the way of the "progress of fun". :-))
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on August 11, 2010, 06:41:54 PM: Quote from: bradleyjs on August 11, 2010, 04:37:37 AM
...<SNIP>...

And, I am looking forward to the v2010 -- it's just that I don't have the time to spend on enjoying the product, as of lately .... this "working" thing really gets in the way of the "progress of fun". :-))

Sadly, many of us still need to have a real job to create the funds that fuel our hobbies... ;)

Others also need to deal with the "wife" and "kids" factors too - ;D

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on August 12, 2010, 03:37:29 AM: "Wife and Kids" are real-life factors that I/we have to deal with as well (not to mention the "Grandchildren") -- but hey, that's Life!
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: Admin on August 12, 2010, 04:12:26 PM: Quote from: bradleyjs on August 12, 2010, 03:37:29 AM
"Wife and Kids" are real-life factors that I/we have to deal with as well (not to mention the "Grandchildren") -- but hey, that's Life!

I am fortunate. When I play with the SSM I call it "work", and I am left alone 8)

What's YOUR excuse? ;D

/Admin
Title: Re: Boxed copy?
Post by: bradleyjs on August 13, 2010, 02:50:59 AM: LOL - that's great excuse !!! Gotta love that!