Stardock’s lead game developer, Cari “Elf” Begle, who led the effort in Galactic Civilizations I, The Political Machine, Galactic Civilizations II and part of Fallen Enchantress (until she went on maternity leave) will be leaving us on May 1 to focus on being a mom. She’s one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. She’s an amazing developer, a kind hearted person and is always eager to take on new challenges. She was the one who did most of our network programming (including the multiplayer in The Political Machine and was critical in fixing the MP issues Demigod had when it first launched).
For now, that leaves me as the interim lead game developer at Stardock until we can find someone to try to step into her shoes.
CariElf will still be around, but not in any official capacity. I’ll miss her daily presence. She always brightens up any room she’s in with her infectious positive attitude and excitement to do something new.
As a reminder, our jobs page is here: https://www.stardock.com/about/jobs.asp
Good luck Cari.
Congratulations, Cari. Motherhood is THE most important job in the world (more so these days that it is being so much neglected...). Hats off to all women who, like you, decide to focus on it.
Now go ahead and raise the next generation of top developers!
Nooo! Don't let her go! There are a billion moms out there, but how many good game developers are there? Kids are overrated and dirty! They talk back! They stink! They make lots of noise!
Who is going to be lead on GalCiv3? I always assumed it would be Cari.
Despite this being a tragedy, I am glad you will get to do what's important for you and wish you good luck. But we will miss you.
It's nice that she's focusing on being a mother, but yes, definitely sad she's leaving. I'm glad I had pleasure of meeting her, and I wish her the best.
Having held the child in question I totally dig what she's doing.
Congratulations Cari!
Congratulations and best of luck. Don't be a stranger.
Congrats Ma'am! I've enjoyed your games. Being a parent isn't always fun. It doesn't always feel rewarding. Sometimes you wish alcohol was free. It is though one of the most important 'jobs' that need to be done. Good luck with you and yours.
Good luck Cari!
Good luck Stardock!
Yeah, gonna miss her a lot We both started at Stardock when it was just Brad, Angie, Kris, and Ian. How far we've come...Luckily she knows the code to get in the office...I hope to see many baby visits and baked goodies in the future
Bye Cari. It was nice having you around. Take care and do a good job of raising the next generation of coders.
Thanks for the good times with GalCiv 2, and best of luck
Congratulations on being a Mom Being a mostly stay at home Dad (of nearly 4) I can dig the decision...
Good luck to you, Carl, and to your product in development. May it show the same quality, care, and attention to detail as your previous efforts.
Cari- your contributions to Stardock's gaming and community have been profound. Undoubtedly you'll have a similar impact focusing on motherhood. Thank you for all the dedication you've shown through your role at Stardock. Stay in touch!
The real question now is, who will take care of Brad's demands? (I'm looking at you, Derek!).
Congrats and good luck Cari! Got a future super programmer coming?
Thank you Cari (Scott and other Stardocker too) for helping me out. I still got 3-5 years left before I will feel happy with my animation work and a good portfolio to boot. I will be teaching/practicing the rest of my animation programs. Hopefully this summer I will own most of my software and not student/free version. I also been networking up like a mad man. I got plenty of nice case studies this summer to work on.
Also thanks for GCII and Elemental games. Why you make it so good!?! (Moar!)
To the Goddess:
!
You guys are great. You have no idea how much you've brightened my day. Thank you so much, I really feel honored.
For the record, I am human, not an AI (assuming that we're not all hooked up to the Matrix). Also, I AM female.
I'm CariElf's mom and I've been her #1 fan for years. She taught me almost everything I know about computers. She even had to tell me how to join in to this discussion. She is truly worthy of your accolades and adoration. Smart, kind, funny, diligent, sincere, supportive... I hope she remembers this tribute when she's choosing my nursing home. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
I would be LIEING if is said I don't have tears in my eyes right now.... The odd part is I don't know if its because I'm HAPPY for you and your family or because I'm/we are going to miss you so much. From The CariElf fan club, we will ALWAYS LOVE ARE GODDESS.
Good luck in your endeavors Mrs. Elf.
Best of wishes. I remember you being nice in the IRC room many years ago.
All the best Cari and thanks for the great times you've given us.
Congrats and best of wishes!
@CariElf: Thanks for being awesome.
Congrats Cari! You are off on one of the greatest adventurers ever...being a parent! My baby is now 6 months old herself and it has totally changed our lives...for the better!! Deciding to be at home with your baby is no small thing, but its a great choice! I work in the oil fields, and have to go out for 14-20 days at a time, with only a few days off in between, and its so hard to leaver my little girl and momma. So congrats on your new endeavor and GL!!
that's nice. Make sure you go back to work once the kids are in school though. A ways back I remember hearing a co worker complain about putting in 16 hour days while his wife sat on her ass with the kids in school, not even cleaning the house.
Make the marriage work! And that goes for the stay at home dads out there too! Don't be lazy as f*ck; and always remember, being a parent is the easiest thing you will ever do!
Hire Shigeru Miyamoto to replace her! make it happen Stardock
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