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.
Quick can you name 2 gamers that don't have internet access?
More precisely, you can't do that when you're an independent publisher.
This sounds both unexpected and cool, I hadn't even considered shared mana pools.
Was I a troll when I posted:
"I don't think of SD as rookies in the big leagues, but rather as pros who are merely smaller and more streamlined, but as puissant. I think their game is sufficiently "...step[ped] up...", and had they a bit more time we'd have seen that at release.
The test for my argument is the state of Elemental in a few months -- and I'm betting we'll see a game that holds its own vs. the 'big boys'."
or
"The good news: the last few days have seen significant improvements, and 1.06 shows how great Elemental will someday be... I want to re-iterate the good news: Elemental 1.06 shows how great a game it will be -- a classic of this genre -- and how dedicated you SDers are in making that come true.
So what if I can't. Doesn't mean they don't exist. Not everybody has access to or can afford internet service. That doesn't mean they don't play PC games or console games for that matter. Just for the record I can name at least two gamers without access. I can name whole areas of the USA without internet access that have a local Wal-Mart where Elemental is sold. So there.
One other thing. If this game is so damn great, why are you on these forums instead of playing? Brad doesn't need you on here blowing sunshine up his butt. From what I've read about Brad he can't stand fanboys. So what's your point? You got a game you love. So why aren't you playing it?
It's when you see posts like this that you know the game will be fine.
Brad, quick get back to your wife before she sees you.
Looking forward to see Elemental flower!
Regards,
V.
Shared mana pools? Could someone tell me what that means?
Don't take this the wrong way but I doubt anyone cares about the very small amount of gamers who don't have internet access. You could argue the same with any game. I think every PC game these days requires a patch be downloaded after you install it for the first time on your PC, I know SC 2 did. This is not a defense of anything, just a reality.
The funny thing is I can see you stamping your feet there...hahaha.
Not related to your post but another post:
I don't think troll or fanboy should be thrown around, its childish and solves nothing, other then getting the other persons goat.
Ok you added that last part....what the hell is wrong with you? I never said it was perfect, I'm actually commenting and reading about ways to improve. Take yuor childish fanboy crap and go hide back under that rck you crawled out from. kids.
Impressive post Also:
Yay!
I understand that. My point was that 1.0 is what shipped to the stores and 1.0 is what should be reviewed. My other point is that the version sold on retail shelves should be the best working version available. If 1.05 was that version then 1.05 should have been the boxed version not 1.0. Since it was 1.0 then 1.0 is what should be reviewed.
I appreciate the note. I have been critical of the game (not really here on the forums) and have, up to this point, chalked it up as a potentially poor gaming investment on my part. While I find the game less than ideal (part of it is my own fault for running it on minimal specs) I am encouraged by Brad's comments and will stick with the game for the long haul...not because of some blind faith in a company but because of the honest words of a good man.
I'll tell you what's wrong with me. I've been in other discussions with you and seen you attack anybody who is even slightly critical of this game. Even going so far as to tell some people to get a refund and move on. That's not your call. There's nothing childish or fanboyish about me. I don't particularly like this game as it is. But I'm counting on Brad and Stardock to fix it. That doesn't get them off the hook or get them a free pass for releasing a buggy, unpolished product. As far as the kids comment is concerned, I'd venture to say that I'm probably way older than you so let's not go there.
"The most intresting man in the world syndrome" You get punched in the face - and you thank him.
That is so out of context that I wonder if maybe you just did not understand what I was saying. They felt ripped off and I told them they did have the option to get their money back, I did not tell them thats their call, big difference. I have added things that i want worked on. I am critical of people who go from thread to thread and says this games sucks, not helpful and disruptive. You are entitled to your opinion but I think you read what you wanted from the refund statement, which I still think holds true, it is a viable option for those that don't feel this is worth it...oh well, hopefully that clears things up...but I'm not sure it will.
What hubris.
It'll be pretty cool when we go for a full day where the threads are all about the game and not the launch.
I mean I like a good argument as much as anybody, but it's been the same thing for what, five days now? It feels like more. At this point it's just going in circles.
The launch went poorly. We know. Maybe it's time to talk about something else?
I know, cannot wait....seems to be clearing a bit up now.
I think it may well be worth, next time when making a release, to be conservative when it comes to release date, and not choose the absolute earliest time. Especially since Stardock does not rely on the money it makes from games, it makes sense to make it polished, professional and fun rather than taking the risk of losing a lot of your goodwill you've built up for years.
Anyway, I think that's the last time I'll say that. Tridus makes a good point.
Best regards,Steven.
That's a fair remark, but I'd bring 2 counter-points to the table: #1 Even though there aren't any non-humanoid races currently that doesn't mean an expansion couldn't add in 2 brand new kingdoms and make it fit the lore since they own the IP. There seems to be some demand for other types of 'races'. To exemplify my point, the Demigod multiplayer network code was thought to be workable prior to Demigod's launch but it turned out to be limiting usability and Stardock made a substantial reworking of it since release due to issues that arose after launch. I can't see why Stardock couldn't similarly couldn't change their stance on humanoid races after launch either as the current human factions are a bit 'limiting' on the creative, aesthetic, and 'plain coolness' fronts.
#2 The concept art that was released showed much more distinctive factional features and wardrobes then currently exist in the game. The "demon elves" looked fairly intimidating in the concept art. Yet in the game, all factions dress in the same casual attire and its not easy to tell one apart from the other. So even with the current 10 human forms, they could still add more distinction to the appearance of the factions.
Psst...
("Hubris" doesn't mean what you think it means)
It feels like more. At this point it's just going in circles.
It's hard to do that when all the mechanics might change at this point, are broken currently, not hooked up, and the game we're playing right now could be very different in 3 months.
So we're left with suggestions, arguments, debate, praise, scorn, player stories and reflection time.
Hopefully a lil soul searching is happening as well.
Anyways, it's gonna be about the release until some patches come our way, and we see the game start making some visible leaps forward. Like the Day Zero patch that made tactical battles drastically less irritating to fight.
About point 6. Seriously. Frogbrad has come off as a fairly reasonable fellow consistently. If he can't post for fear of being quoted out of context, then our society is more messed up than I thought... well. I *think* it's that messed up, but it shouldn't be.
We actually want some of the mechanics to change, so I don't see that as a bad thing. The discussion can be about what we want them to change *to*, and what goal they should be trying to achieve. Getting that kind of stuff right is harder then it seems.
The ideas forum is one of the best ones to read right now because it's nothing but ideas on how to improve things, rather then how we got to where we are now.
I mean if people want to make a "talk about launch" thread, why not? Go nuts. But we don't need so many other threads to turn into that too. It won't change anything at this point.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
Sign in or Create Account
