Pier Solar, the new Genesis RPG can now be pre-ordered!

[FantasiaWHT]

You all do realize that if they've blown through all your preorder money and not finished, and decide not to complete the game, there's no way you're getting your money back, right?

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

This is the reason we did not take pre-orders for bio force ape. We weren't accepting money until we were ready to ship.


You all do realize that if they've blown through all your preorder money and not finished, and decide not to complete the game, there's no way you're getting your money back, right?


Yea, I don't blame you, it makes people look bad when things go foul. Might as well say "Now taking donations" instead of "Now taking Pre-orders" if you cant deliver anywhere close to the original time frame and you need cash to keep the project going. Seems like whenever crap like this comes up I never see anyone offer to pony up refund money during their infinite delay periods.
And yea FantasiaWHT, thats a worry with me. Makes me highly reluctant to pre-order anything. Then again, I wont even pre-order at retail anymore. Just got tired of delayed dates.

Arkhan is the first guy Ive seen in a little while seems like who announced a project, stuck to his time frame he announced, and actually delivered very close to the promised date. Seems like he kept people very updated on the progress of the project too. I wonder if part of that was due to him having mainly all the control over his project, instead of having others involved? Any opinions on that Arkhan? You're working on another project too, no? Regardless of it being daunting to go it alone, do you feel you are alot better off in this aspect then, lets say, being part of a "team" as they say?

[ProgrammingAce]

$35 is not a lot of money to buy eproms, print 3 kinds of new inserts, print up posters and manuals, have a CD replicated, assemble all the carts, and pay for world wide shipping.

And of course once you've started taking pre-orders years ago and have already "sold out", you can't really just go back and say "hey, we underestimated costs, give us another $20".

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

Guess it seems Rover was offering up refunds, kinda sorta anyway. A friend said they posted this on the Frozen website:

"3/3/2010:Unfortunately, Mysterious Song has been delayed by a few months due to unavoidable real-life circumstances. Also, it has been necessary to temporarily take down the pre-order option. Things will be sorted out soon though. Because of the delay, anyone wishing to get refunded for their order will soon be able to email us and let us know. We will post the email address within 48 hours from now. However, if you ask for a refund and are in line for the bonus item, the item will go to the next person in line. In any event, we estimate that it will be approximately four more months until the completion of the game."

Friend also said they never posted the needed email for a refund after that update. Why it wasn't actually posted with the update is beyond me, so if anyone does actually need a refund, you will prob have to track down Rover or Keranu at pcenginefx.com forums.

[esquire]

We've posted a quick update for the month of February. Our first round of Beta Testers has been chosen and have been handed testing tasks. Keep your hopes up if you didn't get selected - we might be rolling on more testers in the future.

Thanks for the support guys.

Cheers!

Must be one heck of a long beta test going on there. Any update for us? It would be nice to have this game in my hands this year.

[Arkhan]

Arkhan is the first guy Ive seen in a little while seems like who announced a project, stuck to his time frame he announced, and actually delivered very close to the promised date.
Yeah, missed the promise date by a week thanks to the pressing house delaying things. :whip: It resulted in a short hand-made run of discs though, :D. Complete with box art and stuff! So it DID debut on time, but only if you were in Cleveland and went to the CCAG show.



Seems like he kept people very updated on the progress of the project too. I wonder if part of that was due to him having mainly all the control over his project, instead of having others involved? Any opinions on that Arkhan? You're working on another project too, no? Regardless of it being daunting to go it alone, do you feel you are alot better off in this aspect then, lets say, being part of a "team" as they say?

I attribute Insanity's success to the following:

Updates: I like to blab on the internet and flail around. So, it's easy for me to keep people updated. I am always on forums clicking around and talking. I like to be involved in the community itself, since they're who the games are for. The point is to keep the old systems alive with new games. It's not about the $$. It's about trying to give people what they want, or at least trying to.

The best way to keep people interested, is to keep talking and keep showing them things that prove you're actually doing something on your side of the internet. :D Things like screenshots, youtube videos, downloadable demos.... good stuff.

I don't ever want Aetherbyte to be the elusive homebrew crew that sits behind closed doors, barely flailing around on the internet. :D As long we're (I recruited helpers :D) making games, I will always be available and replying to any concerns. Usually <24 hrs after you try to reach me.

getting things done: I refuse to delegate large, monumental tasks to anyone who I don't know in person. People flake out, get distracted, things come up, etc. If I can't physically find the person and bug them, I avoid giving them crucial things to do. I don't want things held up, and people getting mad because Jimbob McGee over on the other end of the country found himself a girlfriend and vanished from the internet for 3 weeks or something like that, thus delaying things.

That's a double edged sword though. It makes it harder to find help.


as far as taking peoples money goes: I won't take it until said game is ready to go and 100% done. When I asked for pre-order money for Insanity, the game was already done. I basically told everyone "Look, it's ready to go. I'm too poor to front the pressing costs, so until 30 people pony up some preorder money, we're not getting this thing pressed" :)

I made some soundtracks, signed them, and numbered them, to make everyones collector frenzy disorder come out and help promote the preorder process! :D. It worked out pretty good. There was also a full fledged version of the game with a 10 minute timer built in for people to try out before committing.

Once we cleared the pressing mark, I shut off preordering, sent out the pressing stuff, and the rest is Insanity. :guitar:

Prior to that, there was a donation button. Donators got to be in the credits for Insanity. Donations were to help pay for website/trademark/copyright stuff.

Don't really need donations now though, so the button is gone. All the money would be spent on now is hotdogs and beef jerky at 3am between coding stuff, lol. No sense e-mooching for snacks.


That's just how I do things. Noone has to agree with it, or do the same thing.

but, now you know!

[grolt]

Must be one heck of a long beta test going on there. Any update for us? It would be nice to have this game in my hands this year.

From the website:

Date: 09/05/2010
Hello, friends of Pier Solar!

Sorry about the lack of an update last month - we were busy working on the game! In fact, we still are every day, but as it stands now the game is completed and our focus is put on debuging (fixing glitches, which are nearing extinction and calibrating battles/items and levels) beta testing and translation input.

However, we are still in need of Japanese experts for the corresponding translation input and proof-reading. If you, or a friend of yours, know Japanese and wish to help out, please contact us immediately.

Last but not least, the game is under testing on different Sega endorsed hardware such as the JVC X'Eye, to assure 100% compatibility.

For smaller updates, please check out our Twitter account at: http://twitter.com/watermelongames

Until next time!

Regards,

/Zebbe and the WaterMelon team


Most recent tweet:

@petpiranha Doing all I can to speed up this beta test! 5 Hour Energy has been my best friend lately... ;)


So it looks like it's progressing, even if it's, to quote from Redneck Rampage, like molasses in January (which at this point would still be wishful thinking for a winter 2011 release).

[RASK1904]

I think there working on this about as often as I vacuum. About once every 2 months. COME ON!

[Zebbe]

We are working on the game every day.

[RASK1904]

and I'm working on vacuuming. Lol. BURN!

[Oldskool]

We are working on the game every day.

I certainly hope so. I trust that you guys are working on it. I just hope I have it in the mail box at least sometime this year.

Everyone will shut their mouths when the game is out, and they missed out and can no longer get it.

[otaku]

:( well at least by the time its released i can have a new genesis with svideo and region modded hopefully :)

[Arkhan]

I certainly hope so. I trust that you guys are working on it. I just hope I have it in the mail box at least sometime this year.

Everyone will shut their mouths when the game is out, and they missed out and can no longer get it.

yeah, it is common practice for some people to heckle things like this. Who knows why.


I didn't preorder it, but I still want a copy. Maybe I can still preorder sometime soon. :D

[Smashed Brother]

This kinda reminds me of the brouhaha behind the homebrew shooter, DUX (DC). It was announced in early '08 with preorders available. They kept pushing it back over and over while occasionally threatening to release it every so often. I preordered a copy around Christmas of that year on the assumption that it was finally to be released in Jan '09. But nope, it was delayed and then delayed some more with nary an update. I cancelled my preorder, luckily got my money back and probably spent it on food or something. I understand that the game was finally released around summer '09, but it still had some bugs and other issues with it.

After that, I pretty much lost interest in the homebrew scene. I appreciate the passion behind these games and the effort that goes into them, but just cut the bs and be upfront about it. People (some, not all) would be alot more understanding then. But with that being said, it still would take something pretty f'n substantial to ever get me to lay money down on a homebrew again.

[Iron Draggon]

At this point it would be kinda cool if it turned out that the wait for the game WAS the game... except they should've called it Speculation: Wait and See!

[Mathius]

and I'm working on vacuuming. Lol. BURN!
Hey, I know it's taking forever but without them we might not ever have more gaming goodness for our love deprived Segas. ;) Most great games take around four years to complete.

[Mathius]

yeah, it is common practice for some people to heckle things like this. Who knows why.


I didn't preorder it, but I still want a copy. Maybe I can still preorder sometime soon. :D

Hey, Arkhan, you better pre-order soon because most versions are sold-out. Just an FYI, bro.

[Arkhan]

After that, I pretty much lost interest in the homebrew scene. I appreciate the passion behind these games and the effort that goes into them, but just cut the bs and be upfront about it. People (some, not all) would be alot more understanding then. But with that being said, it still would take something pretty f'n substantial to ever get me to lay money down on a homebrew again.

I agree with this. My first game may not be a friggin masterpiece (lol the grafx are not so turbo), but I think the one thing I did perfect was stay active with the updating, and communicating with people. Constant, direct interaction and updates seem to keep people interested, willing to pay, and willing to react nicely to delays/problems that pop up.

You gotta get out of the HQ and get down in the trenches man! Mingle with the privates, see what they're thinking! Tell them what the higher ups are doing and planning!

:D

[Mathius]

I do agree that their communtication is lacking.

Sorry about the double post earlier. After I posted more posts showed up on the thread.

[RASK1904]

It's done!!!..... SIKE! They need a poem? Someone write a f'n poem so I can get my game. Thanx.

edit. Oh yeah, I vacuumed the other day.

[understatement]

The deadline is 24th of June and poems need to be posted on this thread!

Keeping with tradition it seems they didn’t stick with that deadline either.

[RASK1904]

Rose are red.
Voilets are blue.
Give me my fucking game!

oh!

[Mathius]

It's done!!!..... SIKE! They need a poem? Someone write a f'n poem so I can get my game. Thanx.

edit. Oh yeah, I vacuumed the other day.

It's done? I don't see anything on their site about it.

Oh, you mean "psych?" Or is it "SIKE?" Either way it confused me. DON'T DO THAT! :)

[moocolon]

From the website about a month ago:

"A few months ago, there was doubt in me that the game would never be finished."

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence that things are actually going well with the game. Oh well, good luck getting it done guys.

[megasdkirby]

Release date now confirmed: December 21, 2012.

LOL

[pseudonym]

Release Date confirmed: December 21, 2020

[spongerob]

lmao@me sending a pm to this guy over a 3 year old topic.

derp

but this does spark my interest-where would i go to check out some homebrew snes or genesis games? i'd like to contribute but this guy seems to be MIA.

[understatement]

i'd like to contribute but this guy seems to be MIA.

No he’s not! He is diligently working on the game till his eyes bleed every day that’s why he only seems MIA he is either working on this game or at the hospital getting surgery on his eyes daily. With that kind of dedication there is no way to take five minutes out of your work/ eye bleeding time to tell anyone what is going on.

[esquire]

Release date now confirmed: December 21, 2012.

LOL

I heard it was being released concurrently with Duke Nuke 'Em Forever

[Arkhan]

I heard it was being released concurrently with Duke Nuke 'Em Forever

and come with a starcraft ghost beta key.

[Zebbe]

The game itself is complete, but the beta testing is not. I'd say we are doing better than ever, but that doesn't mean the last development phase before production has room for improvement:

http://tavernrpg.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-update.html

[Wolfrider31]

Hey guys,

As Zebbe said we're closing in on the finished product. The game is complete and, in case you haven't been following our own website, we've begun a closed beta test using candidates from the Pier Solar community.

IE. People that are not the developers are playing the final product. Once we're confident that the game is clean we'll be kicking the thing out the door.

Cheers

[MachineGex]

They need to release this at CGE....................................2011 maybe ;)
That would make a cool release, I wonder if they could show the game there?

[Sosage]

What I love about this thread is that I keep forgetting I had this ordered...then I bump into it and realize, "Oh yeah! That thing. That's gonna be a nice surprise when it hits my mailbox". :P

[Mathius]

What I love about this thread is that I keep forgetting I had this ordered...then I bump into it and realize, "Oh yeah! That thing. That's gonna be a nice surprise when it hits my mailbox". :P

Yes, that will be a great day. :)

[VACRMH]

Just got an email confirming my address. Could this be a good sign?

[Iron Draggon]

I just got an email confirming my shipping address too. I hope this means at least those of us who placed preorders for it will be playing it this Christmas!

[Mathius]

Yep, me too! :)

[TheClash603]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I found out after the preorders were already done!

If there are any more available for order, and if there are any Pier Solar people reading this, send me a PM!

[Lanzo]

Yes, I received email/s too! Curious though looking at the order id I wonder if that number represents your rank in ordering the game. Wonder how many were actually pre ordered now that the game is sold out. Cant wait for the day:king:

[Cloud121]

Pre-ordered the Posterity Edition two years ago. Been waiting a long time for this.

Long Live The MegaDrive!

[PDorr3]

Yes I was so excited to see the e-mail! I have been waiting for this game for so long :)

[dra600n]

Just saw this thread, checked out the website, and the game looks sick. I hope they make a 2nd run at the products or have an "on demand" type of purchase, because I'd definitely like to get my hands on a copy of this.

[Wraith Storm]

Awesome! :D

I hardly ever check my E-mail these days... glad I check DP on a daily basis. This is really REALLY good news. I can't wait to play it and like others here, I have been patiently awaiting my pre-order for several years now.

This is going to be EPIC!

[maxlords]

SO excited I finally got the email! I preorderd the posterity edition too...thought this might NEVER come out! Dying to FINALLY get my hands on it! I hope it's before Xmas!

[Sosage]

Also just received the "change address" email. Such a nice surprise. :)

[Cornelius]

No email for me. I no longer have the e-address I used back then. Fortunately my physical address hasn't changed. Either way, I sent a message on their website yesterday to fix my email addy, so hopefully there won't be any issues.

[megasdkirby]

Got the email, though it was on my SPAM folder. LOL

Glad to see that there might be a possible release for this year. Ordered the posterity edition quite a long time ago, and would be awesome to play this.

[Daria]

Got the email, and I was pretty late preordering.

[Darko]

Well unfortunately I didn't found out about this game until it was too late. If anyone wants to sell me their copy, I'd be very grateful :)

Not that it's ever going to happen, but hey, a guy can dream.

[Zebbe]

The game will definitely be out before Christmas (we said that the last two years too, but this time it's for real).

There may be some additional copies available after those pre-ordered have been shipped and received. More information on that will be announced later.

[RASK1904]

Woo Hooooo! Got my email!

[tofu]

I got two e-mails!

Apparently I forgot about ordering the first time and now I'll be getting two copies.

[T]

The website indicates that you can still preorder.

I wonder if you can.

I orderd mine years ago.........

[Soviet Conscript]

i ordered mine in 2008 for the christmas release....

[mobiusclimber]

I think I did a little dance in my seat when I saw the email about Pier Solar.

[Baloo]

Wow, the game is actually coming out?

[pseudonym]

Got my confirmation email as well. @_@

[moocolon]

Got the email, though it was on my SPAM folder.Me too... I would have never seen it unless I checked here.


Curious though looking at the order id I wonder if that number represents your rank in ordering the game.
Probably, my order # is below 400 and I ordered two years ago.

My email also said this: "If you've pre-ordered the Japanese version to play the game in Japanese language, please contact us as soon as possible by answering this email." I wonder what's going on with that?

[Suikoman444]

Looks really cool, hope more copies get put up for order eventually.

[MASTERWEEDO]

The website indicates that you can still preorder.

I wonder if you can.

I orderd mine years ago.........

I noticed that too. I wanted to get myself a copy.

[Lanzo]

I noticed that too. I wanted to get myself a copy.

They didn't take the preorder button off the website, but if you click it you are then asked to select which version you want and all the versions say sold out next to them. So you can no longer order them. But they said there will be extra copies after all the others are delivered safely. Who knows how there going to sell those.

[neojapan]

I got 1 email and I remember Pre-Ordering 2 posterity versions, so what can I do to confirm this?

[megasdkirby]

I got 1 email and I remember Pre-Ordering 2 posterity versions, so what can I do to confirm this?

Contact Zebbe or 108Stars to see if they can help.

Just in case, find the two Paypal transaction ID's from your Paypal history as evidence. Also verify the amount for each.

I'm sure they can help you out.

[Zebbe]

I got 1 email and I remember Pre-Ordering 2 posterity versions, so what can I do to confirm this?

Please use this: http://www.piersolar.com/pier-solar-contact.php

[neojapan]

I've done quite the promotion in my store for the game, when I get mine I will do a review at my facebook fan page and some might want to order it, when do you think people can start pre-ordering again?

[kanijus]

All its Soldout!!! :(

[Zebbe]

Yeah, all are soldout, there won't be any more pre-orders.

[kanijus]

But... maybe not preorders, but can I still buy the game???

[Baloo]

How many copies are you guys even making?

[Oldskool]

I think my confirmation e-mail went to my Spam folder and I must have accidently deleted it.. :(

Either that or I didn't get it.

Pre-ordered since 08', I really hope I get it.

[Wolfrider31]

I think my confirmation e-mail went to my Spam folder and I must have accidently deleted it.. :(

Either that or I didn't get it.

Pre-ordered since 08', I really hope I get it.

Just go through your paypal history and contact us with the information. We'll be able to confirm your shipping address.

If you haven't moved since you ordered and you've already paid - worry not. We shouldn't be missing any orders. But if you want to have peace of mind or have any reason to suspect something may have gone wrong drop us a line.

[Oldskool]

That's the problem, I've moved twice since then. I believe you guys do have my updated information, but I just want to make double sure.

I'll look into my paypal history.

[Wolfrider]

September update has been posted. Whoo-whoo!

[megasdkirby]

It seems the release will soon be a reality!!!!!


Hello friends of Pier Solar, this email is about preorder id :xxx : u, Posterity Edition.

We will be processing pre-orders on the 25th October 2010,
after this date no more shipping address updates will possible until the game ships.

Feel free to use the below link to watch and/or update your shipping details:

LINK


Details about the shipping date will follow soon!

Best regards,
WaterMelon Team

Did anyone else get this email?