Greetings!
I'm pretty far from a good net connection so I'll keep this brief
Let me say that I'm glad that most people seem to like the game. This message, however, is for those who are disappointed with Elemental so far.
Stardock is not just a game studio but it is also a publisher. What does this mean? Well, historically, the way it works is a game is released and if people don't like it, they're supposed to buy some expansion pack for it that "fixes" things that people thought should be in the original version.
We don't have to do that because we're both the studio and the publisher.
That means we can release free "expansion packs" for Elemental until such a high percentage of players love the game that only then can we discuss sequels or paid expansions.
Having had the opportunity to finally get out of the office for the first time in months has let me look at the game (and ahem, play the game for crazy amounts) of time from a new perspective.
I should also say that regardless of sales or reviews, our commitment to Elemental will not be affected. As some of you know, most of our company's revenue doesn't come from developing games. Even if the game didn't sell another copy, we would still continue our update schedule.
So what will be the concrete results of this?
1. In September we will release v1.1 which will be the first major revision to the game that takes into account the feedback we're getting from players. This will be a pretty substantial change. In particular, character creation, magic (think, shared mana pools),
2. We are going to go ahead and make a more traditional tutorial. I'm not a fan of tutorials but some of my grognard friends have had trouble figuring out the mechanics which means to me that we have to do something about that.
3. We are going to move Book 2: Magesa out of a future expansion pack and into the base game in a future "mega" update, likely late Fall.
4. As mentioned on the forums back in July-ish, we plan to make a new DVD gold master available to those with limited Internet connections later this Fall.
5. As discussed (I think) last Winter, I will be taking a sabbatical this Fall specifically so I can dedicate time to AI and modding so that others, long after me, can use the Elemental engine to create other things (you will need to know Python to really go crazy with it).
6. I will NOT be ceasing my postings on other forums. The guys on Qt3 and Octopus Overlords and elsewhere are my friends. I'm no more going to stop posting there then I would stop going out with my friends to movies and other "public places" where, heaven forbid, someone datamining my comments might find a "gotcha moment". Those people are my friends both on the forums and outside the forums. Interacting with you guys is a major reason I like making games in the first place.
7. To those reviewing the game: I would urge you to review the game prior to v1.1. I say this because v1.05 (the release day version) is the version of the game that was originally released and if that version of the game is considered flawed then my view is that Stardock should suffer the consequences for that. We appreciate the kindness and patience many people have shown. I just think game studios, including Stardock, need to be conscious of what they release and not expect to "patch themselves out of trouble". I do believe Elemental is, by far, the best game we've ever made but I also agree with most of the criticisms I've read too. The state of PC entertainment has changed since 2006 (when we released GalCiv II) and it is our responsibility to stay with the times.
In short, we love this game. And we love this community. We're not going to be leaving this game to work on some other game. We're with it and you guys for the long haul.
I won't be around to answer questions until next week so I hope this answers some questions.
The only "head in the sand" mentality predominantly exhibited on these forums is by those that think everyone has their head in the sand. Everyone knows that there is some work to be done, including the majority of the fans of Elemental, and especially Stardock.
And some people around here need to apply some perspective. It's a game. It's not a world event. It's not a catastrophe. Someone, even a dev, offering a joke up does not mean he is not taking his job seriously. Sometimes you just need to take a step back, not take yourself so seriously, and laugh. Sounds to me like you could stand to follow some of that advice, with all of that venom and hostility oozing out of you.
It is a game. If you really are that upset and want to help restore the balance in the world from this catastrophe, maybe you should take that $50 and donate it to cancer research or saving the spotted hummingbird. You know, for the price of a cup of coffee each day, you can feed one child for a about 100 days.
Oh, this explains your hostility. It's that time of the month.
Dude, it's just a game. You need a better sense of proportion.
By the way, do you even own Elemental, because your comments read a lot like someone who hasn't actually played it.
I see what you did there.
We're on a game forum, discussing a game and game concepts. Whether I'm out saving the world or not, I can still discuss a game on a game forum. The two aren't mutually exclusive, despite what you might try and imply. Oh, look - I spent $50 on a game, whilst donating $50,000 to Pakistan, I feel morally ok about my life now, is that ok?
Perspective:
If I buy a car, and it has four square wheels because the ace-hot designer just doesn't understand physics, and the factory workers just put the wheels on anyway because they had a quota to meet, then I get to point out the obvious stupidity / lack of self-checking / break down in management going on. And Yes, the % issue is just that damn obvious / stupid to anyone who actually makes games, and just as glaringly obvious that someone somewhere just doesn't understand their own basic core concept.
Ah, nice chestnut. The old "gosh, if you don't agree with our viewpoint you can't be posting from reality, so I'll try and undermine you by suggesting you're a liar / full of bullshit / whatever". Yes, I own it. No, I've not played the game much due to certain issues. I'm waiting for about two weeks of patches before putting myself through the experience again. Oddly enough, my main feeling about the game is boredom, since I understand enough about the mechanics to not see much that is interesting at the moment and I have some very bad feelings that I can break the game mechanics easily, and thus reduce any challenge a x4 title might offer. Or I could go pick up some sand golems....
Persepective
You did not buy a car. It did not have square wheels. Even if it was an appropo analogy, your relation is so far off base that you may as well have bought a spaceship. No, you bought a computer game that has work to be done. How much is entirely a matter of opinion. And I sincerely doubt that they are going to reference your opinion, with all of the animosity contained within, so I doubt you will ever be satisfied with Elemental.
And I really don't see why you would use a car analogy. It's apparent that you are more satisfied with your high horse.
FYI, what's done is done. The game is released. Unless you build a time machine, you're not changing that. So wipe the fire and brimstone away from your eyes and look around you. Work is getting done. It was getting done long before you came in here with your heartwarming personality.
And for the record, cars get recalled all of the time because of design flaws, some severe design flaws which are immense safety hazards, some as simple as a faulty censor for a fluid gauge, and everywhere in between.
Well done, you hit the nail on the head. It has been noted before that this was going on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning-Kruger_effect
I notice you manifestly failed to address / discuss / disagree with anything of content within my posts, merely went on the personal offensive towards my animosity. The world is full of lions, tigers and bears and the industry is mighty unforgiving at the moment, so excuse the tone. However, I've already pointed out the weaseling going on in regards to "expansions are just content patches for game mechanics the player base didn't like" line of total bullshit being peddled. In fact, the usual criticism of expansion packs is "padding content using exactly the same mechanics to appease / appeal to people who already like the game, which adds nothing new to the experience", which is the total opposite to the claims made in la-la-land here.
You might not notice it, or even "get it", but there we go.
As I'll just take your not mentioning any issues of substance to mean you agree with them, we'll get on fine.
Actually, I covered that quite well with my initial response to you, which you failed to reference:
I don't need to address your specific details. I already acknowledged that work needs to be done. Your additional commentary, however, is what I found distasteful, which is why I addressed it. Besides, you are focused on the release of Elemental, not actual issues with the game. It has all been discussed (and trolled) ad nauseum. It's old news just waiting on a new troll.
Bottom line is that the game is released. No amount of patronizing and condescension is going to change that, no matter how you rationalize that or cover it up with pretty words and long, elaborate posts. Your message is no different than "Stardock released an unfinished game." Personally, I'd rather read those posts as it's the same message in a lot less time.
Now, did you have any issues with the actual game that you wanted to discuss that you feel needs fixing? I mean, I see a lot of colorful language, bland analogies, and fancy links that could just as easily apply to you as anyone else here, but I don't really see any actual content.
Moved due to poster posting while editing:
You've descended into self-parody here, perhaps without realising it. I suggest googling "Ford Pinto Memo" then... well. I'd suggest going outside for a walk for a bit. The precise is simple: the cost analysis of releasing a faulty product & some recall is offset by sales. Aka, they do it with full knowledge that they're releasing a faulty product, but the costs (even with lawsuits) are minimal compared to sales revenue.
Way to support Stardock there! Although, it is a given you just didn't know what you were saying, so we forgive you.
You didn't? Going by your car analogy, that's your issue, not mine.
Yeah, this is the response I figured I would get. You have nothing to offer except pitchforks and torches. Absolutely zero content and only interested in arguments. And by the way, it was your car analogy. It was simply broken, just like your hypothetical car.
Good day to you.
I'll parse a simple one out for you:
What checks / balances are going to be put in place on multiple % stacking in the next patch? i.e. is there likely to be a hard-coded cap on stacked % modifiers to prevent stupidity such as buffing a single stat so much it breaks the game. Will tier buildings cease to stack with prior buildings of the same type? If not, can we at least get a modifier to reduce each stage of stacking (i.e. each % effects the product of the prior effect, not cumulative).
You failed to respond to your car problem - I figured this was going to be the case, no pitchfork needed, you did it yourself. Now go for a walk.
There's a LOT of posts and threads like that. Just trolls and lemmings who are just following the crowd cause they tink it might make them look kewl and get girls...but of course it won't. hahaha
It has nothing to do with whether or not you agree with me; it has to do with your unnecessarily confrontational and condescending attitude and the fact that some of your statements regarding the quality of the game and how it plays are not especially accurate which led me to conclude - quite reasonably I think - that you haven't actually played the game. Maybe if you cooled your jets a little and dropped the sanctimony (seriously, over a video game?) people might be more compelled to take you seriously.
This game has potential...and many flaws.
Big one for me is the current useless combat defense. Need to give reason for armor and edged weapons to be used. Currently, 'glass cannons' with no armor and uber maces wins the day. Sad.
Need to make mages and technologies more unique to each element. Nothing wrong with 'borrowing' MOM idea with this.
Need to fix the lack of information popups. I am slowly figuring things out, but these forums have given me much information which a mouse cursor should have provided. Die hard fans like me will stay, but casuals will be driven away.
Still play Galciv2 and Sins. Have much hope for Elemental and know you will eventually get it right.
Chris.
" We're not going to be leaving this game to work on some other game. "
Demigod deja vu .
As it is right now, the game offers me nothing that I enjoy. On the contrary, I am quite annoyed with the game, because it is completely unclear to me what I need to do in order to move ahead. The game is just a clickfest with little indication if I perform well or not, or if I make the right choices or not. Also the game is very choppy despite having a decent rig.
I have heard stories of people asking for and receiving refunds. What does one need to do to get a refund?
Demigod was actually made by someone else, despite Brad being more visible then any of the GPG people from it.
GalCiv 2 and Sins got better support.
If you can I would give this game some time and at least wait until the next major patch is released which should be some time this month. My guess is that it will be released towards the end of the month before you make the decision to return the game.
In commemoration of the 13th page of this interesting thread, I invite you all to my home this winter. Please knock, the doorbell is broken.
From another thread:
It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum... and I'm all outta gum. (RIP)
Here's the Stardock ethos I respect. This old woman will rest a while (and no, I don't review books or even visit many forums, let alone care about the opinions of other posters on said forums).
Top tip: get a decent content dev. crew who also love the game, but will follow choices they might not like - and have someone making that call, not getting bleary eyed after 72 hours crunch churning out multiple X McGuffins, which is when mistakes happen. Heck, I'd hire that Heavenfalls (close?) player whose been altering XML well, and with some dedication.
U guys are doin a great job man i wouldnt worry to much i think its a great new way to play this cross type of game.
Granted how the hell does sum-thing get put in a box sold to me, and it having problems right off hand even thou it is sold to me and introduced to me as a fully functional game....BUT THAT DOESN't MATTER because u guys were on top of it and before i knew it u guys have the major majority fixed.
(then again they let the 360 hit the shelves.)
I STILL DONT KNOW WHY MY CREATURES CANT USE THERE MAGIC YET and enemies can. MAYBE ITS IN THE magic tech tree to allow creatures to use there magic. hopefully its not another bug dude.
thank god ur boostin the campain eventually, its a little more than weak bro.
I LOVE UR AWESOME BUGGY GAME guys because soon it will just be a AWESOME GAME.
(i mean that as a compliment not an insult for real. )
p.s. yo it would be cool to turn down the magic a little, i mean bro even on hard, dude as soon as i get just a little bit of magic its already over, i moe everything down.
Ill buy ur next sequal too guys, it doesnt matter if its bugged, We or at least i know i can trust the company to fix the problems.
oh cmon fanboy
they made a mistake and they have the pay the price for that
awe bro u dont want a refund dude just be patient the next update i bet will make this game into sumthing great hopefully when they fix everything.
i cant blame u thou bro i wanted to punch the screen on the every 3 hour crash.
but as soon as the 1.06 download no more crash and all of the mods made by players dude i like the buggy game now at least it doesnt crash on me anymore.
dude i got a list of new things, spells, weapons , changing music ,adding races. and all of the other mods that have saved the game from myself tossing it aside.
This is the best post on these forums.
Impressive.
Unless the enemy has cheese. Cheese is to Curly what kryptonite is to Superman.
I never Larry anything down, he's just too uninteresting.
From Frogboy's posts in today's Why is everyone upset the game came out "early"?!? thread it's clear there's no "if" in his view regarding the game's release, and thus I retract my comments in this thread regarding that, and I commend his brutal honesty.
Salute to !
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