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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.

225,187 views 241 replies
Reply #176 from Sins Forums Top
Hello, everyone! I must say that I am very interested and excited about this game. It looks awesome! I was first made aware of this game by viewing Brad's video on gametrailers.com, then I read a couple of reviews, but was not entirely sold until I downloaded some of Multianna's videos on his web-site (Cheers and Thanks!). However, his reflexes were so lightening fast that I could not comprehend what he was actually doing (haha). Nonetheless, I could feel a sence of urgency and even panic a few times when the battles were close, so that was the deciding factor for me.

I want to pre-order the game today, so that I can get into the Beta 4, but I have a couple of questions:

1) If I pre-order today, will I still be able to participate in Beta 4 or is it closed, now?

2) I want to use Paypal (for obvious security reasons) to make the pre-order purchase, is that an available option at this time? The reason I ask, is because of the following quote from the Pre-Order FAQ:

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

PayPal doesn't support charging orders on future dates. For this reason we're not able to accept PayPal for pre-orders. After a major beta version is released, there's an "open" period of about a week where you should be able to use PayPal (you will be charged immediately)."

The quote mentions that there is an "open" period of about a week where I should be able to use Paypal, but I read some comments above which hinted that this window of opportunity may have been extended. Is that true? Can I still use Paypal to participate in the Beta 4? Date: November 21, 2007 (7:50 PM EST)

Thanks for your consideration and feedback in this matter!

Hamarabi

P.S. Hope to kill you all soon! Just kidding! Or am I!?

P.P.S. I couldn't wait for an answer (LOL)! I am downloading it now, so it appears as though you can still use Paypal to participate in Beta 4, as of November 21, 2007.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #178 from Sins Forums Top

is beta still going and can i still pre order to get in ?
End of quote


Beta is still going on, but if you want entry you must use total gaming tokens -- if you pay using another method, you won't get access to the game until release.
Reply #179 from Sins Forums Top
Hamarabi

P.S. Hope to kill you all soon! Just kidding! Or am I!?
End of quote


Heh heh...
Reply #180 from Sins Forums Top
is there anyway to get into the beta now? plzzzz tell me how i really want to play
Reply #181 from Sins Forums Top
you have to preorder using tokens from totalgaming.net it costs $20 more, but ull have 5 other tokens (the equivalent of 50 bucks) to use to buy other games from totalgaming
Reply #182 from Sins Forums Top
I pre-ordered using TGN tokens but I get an error message saying that it's not available for download? Looks like Beta is closed now... Hopefully that means a RC/Gold is near?

Reply #183 from Sins Forums Top
:O, try checking "show pre-release versions" in SDC
Reply #184 from Sins Forums Top
It's checked under Tools -> Settings -> Applications... But there's nothing showing up under Sins of a Solar Empire. Just the single root object with no leaf nodes at all.

:: puzzled look ::
Reply #185 from Sins Forums Top
Just the single root object with no leaf nodes at all.
End of quote


can you dumb that down a little for me?
Reply #186 from Sins Forums Top
If you have show prerelease on, just select sins and click install. There are no seb-components to it.
Reply #187 from Sins Forums Top
Sins ran at 5fps, and paused randomly, and zoom was fubar...
End of quote


Lol. Well you also had less Ram then I did, so sins runs faster than 5 fps on my compy.
Reply #188 from Sins Forums Top
When I tried to install it earlier I got an error message saying that it wasn't available. Right now I'm downloading something else, so Sins' queued up to download next, I'll post the exact text of the message as soon as the prior download is done... Well and after I help gets the kids to bed ;).
Reply #189 from Sins Forums Top
FAQ updated.
Reply #190 from Sins Forums Top
* How much is shipping & handling for boxed copies? How are items shipped?

Shipping & handling currently costs $15 USD in the U.S. and $35 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).
End of quote


Question: For those of us that have already paid (long since) for the game, are we going to be charged the increase in shipping?
Reply #191 from Sins Forums Top
Nope! :D  Call it a benefit for having been with us so long during the process.
Reply #192 from Sins Forums Top

Nope!   Call it a benefit for having been with us so long during the process.
End of quote


Cool!
Reply #193 from Sins Forums Top
I just per-ordered the game. Can I still play Beta 4? Is it still open?

Otherwise, I might cancel and save myself $10 by going to the store.... :SNIFF!:
Reply #194 from Sins Forums Top
When you order with Total Gaming Tokens you can bypass the restriction and get into Beta 4 right away.
Reply #195 from Stardock Forums Top
OK, how would I go about cancelling my current order and do that? Does is cost more, or something?
Reply #196 from Sins Forums Top
Purchase the tokens, then order the game with the tokens, and finally send Stardock sales an e-mail explaining what you did, and they can cancel the original order. 
Reply #197 from Sins Forums Top
Hi all

I am french, and I have a bad english, I want understand, I have pre-order this game "digital only" on the website by "stardock", I have download "stardock central" but when I write my Key (who it in my mail )===> in tool ==> games ===> serial number, stardock C says me "my serial number is invalid"

WHY ? it is the good serial, sure
I know i must wait february for play but why I can't download the game Without play ?
I think I have do a bad things but what ?
Someone can help in a easily english ? thanks have read me :)
Reply #198 from Sins Forums Top
I am french, and I have a bad english, I want understand, I have pre-order this game "digital only" on the website by "stardock", I have download "stardock central" but when I write my Key (who it in my mail )===> in tool ==> games ===> serial number, stardock C says me "my serial number is invalid"
End of quote


It sounds like you did a regular perorder, so the number you got was just an order number, not a serial. You will get a serial to download with when or shortly before the game is released.
Reply #199 from Sins Forums Top
I feel stupid, i have never preorder with american website.I have not do attention that is a serial order.
Thanks for answer so fast. :CONGRAT:
Reply #200 from Sins Forums Top
I see, thank you. I'm assuming the preorder will not be charged until the day of release, correct? I sent an email to Stardock support, but I'm guessing they aren't there on weekends. Are they usually good about replying fast? I need to know things are OK.

Another quick question: To help me justify my purchase of $70 worth of tokens, will there likely be an expansion pack sometime in the future that I can spend my surplus on?

Thanks again. :CONGRAT: