Yarlen Yarlen

Pre-Order FAQ

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Pre-Order FAQ

All your questions answered on ordering and downloading Sins

from Sins Forums

From time-to-time questions pop-up about how people can participate in the pre-order process. Hopefully this FAQ will answer many of those questions.

  •  How can I pre-order the game?

You can pre-order the game through TotalGaming.net by clicking on the Store link above.

  • What are the system requirements for the game?

The minimum system requirements are:

- Windows XP SP2 / Vista
- 1.8 GHz Single-Core Processor
- 512 MB RAM (1 GB RAM for Vista)
- 128 MB 3D DirectX 9 Video Card (Radeon 9600 / GeForce FX 6600 and above)
- DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
- DVD-ROM Drive (for retail copies)
- 3 GB Hard Drive Space
- Keyboard and Mouse
- DirectX 9.0c

The recommended system requirements are:

- 2.2 GHz Dual- or Quad-Core Processor
- 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Windows Vista)
- 256 MB DirectX 9 3D Video Card (Radeon X1600 / GeForce 7600 and above)

  • What do all of these purchase options mean?

Digital Download Only means that you will only receive the final release as a download through Stardock Central. 

Digital Download + Collector's will give you immediate access to the final game as a digital download, plus we will ship you a retail boxed copy as well (there's an additional shipping & handling fee with this option).

  • What does the retail box include?

The standard retail box includes the game on DVD and a print manual.

If you order the game direct from Stardock you will receive the Collector's Edition. This special version includes the following bonus items: a foldout tech-tree poster, artwork posters, a hotkey card, and a music CD.

  • What gives?  My credit card says you charged me already?

Some banks put a temporary hold on credit cards for pre-orders to ensure there's enough credit available in the account. These are typically released in 24-48 hours.  Pre-orders are not charged until a major beta version is released (i.e, beta 2, beta 3, etc.).

  • Why can't I pre-order using PayPal?

Our store doesn't support PayPal charging orders on future dates. For this reason we're not able to accept PayPal for pre-orders. 

  • I got a pre-order receipt in email, why can't I download the beta?

This is simply a reference number for your pre-order. You will only get a valid serial number and download information once we release the game and your credit card is charged.

  • If I buy the game using TotalGaming.net tokens, can I get access to the beta even though it may be closed?

Yes, since tokens are deducted immediately, TotalGaming.net members always gain instant access to betas.

  • How much is shipping & handling for boxed copies?  How are items shipped?

Shipping & handling currently costs $10 USD in the U.S. and $20 USD to anywhere else in the world.  Shipping is handled via the U.S. Postal Service. This is due to the weight of the special Collector's Edition box (it's packed with hefty goodness).

  • Do I have to use Stardock Central to download the game?

Yes, we do not provide game downloads as standalone downloads. You do not need to run Stardock Central to play the game, however.

  • How can I cancel or change my pre-order?

If you need to make a change to your pre-order, please email sales(at)stardock(dot)com with your request. Please allow up to two business days for a reply.

  • Is there a monthly fee for multiplayer?

There is no monthly fee to play Sins, either online or off.

225,215 views 241 replies
Reply #151 from Sins Forums Top

Best bet is to check back Monday when you can order then to see if it's still open (Yarlen or sales will be around then to say for certain).

I'd imagine EB/GS will probably let you preorder (they're usally more than happy to do that), but there isn't any retail preorder bonus box, and you won't get beta access if you go that route (beta is only for direct preorders).
End of quote


I appreciate that advice. I have football to tide me over tomorrow, anyway, so I probably wouldn't be playing until Monday whether I purchased it today or not... But I'll definitely wait just to be sure. Thanks.
Reply #152 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks =D - I might be able to nab it Sunday, but I'll just keep checking the boards I suppose and see if people are getting in. If not I'll ask you guys on Monday.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #153 from Sins Forums Top

Pre-Orders are open and will remain so until at least this Friday.

Eventually you'll be able to put in a pre-order at retail (though this won't gain you beta access), however, I doubt this option will be available until around January.

Reply #154 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks again. Actually ordered just a few minutes ago and am downloading now. As a nice bonus it seems I'll be able to re-download Galciv II if I ever lose the CD's/they become damaged =D

Look forward to helping you guys make a great space rts.
Reply #156 from Sins Forums Top

If I pre order now can I get into beta 4? Or is that closed already?
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If you use totalgaming tokens, you can get in right now. Otherwise... we'd need to wait for someone official to come by and tell you but I'm betting its closed (though they have been lazy in the past and gone a few days past the "due" date on that...)
Reply #157 from Sins Forums Top
Beta 4 is still open. Not sure when we'll close it to new customers.
Reply #158 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks for reply, it let me in beta 4 so been playing it. Any one notice a lack of games in multi or is that part of beta?
Reply #159 from Sins Forums Top
A lot of people form games on the IRC channel.. at least most of the players who've been here since before B4, but there are some new faces. If you don't see anyone in ICO, feel free to hop in and ask for a game there too
Reply #160 from Sins Forums Top
I was just wondering if it is still possible to get into Beta 4 if ordering the game from Stardock??

It does still say that the Beta is open for all pre-orders.
Reply #161 from Sins Forums Top
Yes, preorders are still going through for immediate access.
Reply #162 from Sins Forums Top
Do you think an nVidia GT(256mb) will be enough to really enjoy the game?
Reply #163 from Sins Forums Top
nVidia 7300 GT(sorry)
Reply #164 from Sins Forums Top

nVidia 7300 GT(sorry)
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Probably not -- though you'd need to experiment (I don't know that particular model's performance). Let me give you the breakdown of a video card name:

ABC XYZZ DEF

the ABC represents the company name -- is it a geforce card, or an ATi card? The X is the generation number, representing which generation of hardware it belongs to. The Y is its performance level -- 500 and below is budget (500 is considered the bare minimum for gaming), 600 is gaming, 800+ is considered enthusiast. The ZZ part is (almost always) zeros, but can be used to represent an incremental increase if a generation sticks around long enough to need it. The DEF represents the suffix -- this plays a major role in the performance of a card. A GTX of a lower number will very likely outperform an LE of a higher number, for example.
Reply #165 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks, you probably just saved me 40 dollars.
Reply #166 from Sins Forums Top

Thanks, you probably just saved me 40 dollars.
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Your "nVidia 7300 GT" card should be enough to run the game. There has even been testers with worse cards.

So where Ron Lugge said "Probably not" is definitely NOT true
Reply #167 from Sins Forums Top
yah, prawny has like a 5300 or something like that and he can still run it
Reply #168 from Sins Forums Top

So where Ron Lugge said "Probably not" is definitely NOT true
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Yeah, thats why I added that dislaimer about needing to experiment -- I thought I added a part about getting further advice but I guess I forgot
Reply #169 from Sins Forums Top
He cant experiment on a game he haven't brought yet

Also your example is all Chinese to me, and is properly the same for him
Reply #170 from Sins Forums Top

yah, prawny has like a 5300 or something like that and he can still run it
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Nvidia 5200
Reply #171 from Sins Forums Top
5200?? and you made a video with that one... im impressed
Reply #172 from Sins Forums Top
Yeah, but can you run it without setting graphics to the minimum?
Reply #173 from Sins Forums Top
he can singleplayer, but multiplayer heel have a bit of lag unless he sets to low (prawny that is)
Reply #174 from Sins Forums Top
I played with a 5200 for a week, it was horrible, I will feel Thrawn's pain FOREVER...

Sins ran at 5fps, and paused randomly, and zoom was fubar...

And if anyone is considering playing this game on low gfx settings (ala a 5200 card), you should get a new video card before buying it, the game looks like CRAP on low settings (like 2001 gfx quality), especially after experiencing it on high.

Reply #175 from Sins Forums Top
my points was that he has a 7300 vs prawny's 5200, so its pretty much a guarantee he will be able to run it