Checked the page: that's one shitload of DLCs...

I know they think it's a way to make more money post release, but I'm pretty sure there's a consequent player base that keeps postponing the buying of the base game because of a DLC politic...

This!

I'm reduced to join the choir. This DLC policy is utter rubbish.

To be fair Stardock is not the only one following this model of releasing base + a number of DLCs. It is also common practice to release a game before it is bug free. If you want to be the first of the gamers to experience the game, you acknowledge the risks for the privilege.

The best thing a consumer can do is speak with their dollar. If the base game is riddled with bugs then refuse to buy the DLCs until the game is up to your satisfaction.

Personally, I don't mind the model if the base game is fun despite some bugs and the DLCs add new challenges/fun. However, I am a late adopter and will wait for a bundled product at cheaper price. I don't care to be the first to experience the big new game.

For Steam they released a Founders edition when it was in early access for $100 that included all future DLC. But owners of that only got the base game on GOG.

Goodness! With this much DLC available maybe we can expect to see Borderlands 2 show up. :3

There was a season pass (I have it). It was the elite founder edition which was a season pass and more stuff (forum badge, able to name a star, alpha access. Was sold on Steam for a while for $99). However in this case the season pass was: $99 USD, available for a limited time, included the base and ALL future content... on Steam. Any kind of ultimate edition released in less than 5 years is going to be added to in the form of more DLC. After that time, a ultimate edition will include everything released.

Obviously publishers still find enough victims which support this kind of business model with their money, otherwise they would stop such practice.

Looks like I'll have to wait many years before I buy this game ...

Which is precisely why I haven't bought, or will buy DLC loaded games. One or two is ok with me, if they add good ideas and gameplay. But more than 5 and the whole thing starts to smell more and more like a scam with each new one added.

Nice to see this release. It means GC III is now approximately half finished. Just a couple of years more and if there is an easy to grab bundle of it for a nice discount I may buy and play it then of course only if I haven't forgotten about it already.

Why isn't the Gold Bundle available on GOG?

For the game and all DLCs, it costs $109.89 on GOG vs. $60.39 on Steam.

Steam users pay $50 less than GOG users for the same content, and if they own all previously released content, get a 45% discount on each new DLC:

"If you already own some of the products contained in the bundle, purchasing the bundle will allow you to "complete the set", paying only for the products you don't already own while still receiving the full bundle discount on each of those products."

GOG could implement the Gold Bundle as either a series discount or a permanent sale rather than a bundle product in the catalog. New DLC could then be added to the series discount or sale page as they are released (instead of creating a new bundle product each time).

Edit: The bundle is even cheaper ($44.50) this weekend because of the Stardock sale on Steam.

Year 2003: Altarian Prophecy add-on for Galactic Civilizations 1.
Year 2016: Altarian Prophecy DLC for Galactic Civilizations 3.

Stardock are unique really. Not only that they contrive to sell almost the same game again and again nearly 15 years already, but they even do not bother themselves to show the slightest signs of imagination.

I second that emotion

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I'm not a fan of this sales model either but I tend to like the games so I just have to wait until GC:IV comes out (then by the complete GC:III as a super discount.). With my back log I don't mind being a couple years behind...

(Seems like it takes 10 or so DLCs before they get the game "good" anyway)