General Reflections

from Elemental Forums

Generally speaking, I don't do pre-orders. That just screams 'foul' to me - why pay in advance for something that is not only not finished, but without any sort of promise as to it's finality? To pre-order is to put your hands, or rather your money, in the hands of a money-grabbing company. Most companies don't care one whit for their customers - if they have the money, they're all set. How else can we look at so many failed products and understand that there are companies raking in the dough?

And then...I found Elemental. Sappy, yes. My point is this - I am immensely satisfied with Stardock. As a company, they have only ever produced sound games. I still play GalCiv II, and it's not uncommon for me to spend a lot of time building the perfect warships, transports, etc. Whenever I managed to nab the prison world, I would smile and design a dozen and a half cruisers, fighters, bombers and the like, discarding the ones that didn't please me, keeping the ones that did, and having a personal fleet to keep prisoners out. Hells, one of my fleets held my most magnificent flagship, a massive winged cruiser bristling with turrets and defenses, took me hours to make. And I was extremely proud of it, as the sheer representation of my galactic power.

I don't play with Sins much, because I like the customization aspect, but I still do enjoy it. How many RTS games along the vein of Sins can last for weeks on end? And how many of them actually require conscious thought, rather than just ZOMG MY FLEET IS AW3SOM3 URS IS NOT LOL!!!1!1!!ELEVENONE!!

My point is thus: I have never seen a company act like Stardock has. Potential players - not players, potential players - have managed to change a game that has spent years in production. Our opinions seemed to matter, 'cause time and again Brad has actually asked for our opinions.

Keep it up, Stardock. You're the one company I actually feel safe pre-ordering a product from.

elemental
5,869 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Amen!  :beer:   However, my esteem for Stardock now goes even beyond their penchant for publishing great games.  I cannot praise Mr. Wardell & Co.  enough for not just making Elemental the next great fantasy game, but for designing it to be a showpiece for the power of PC gaming as well.  In an industry overrun with game devs / pubs that seem all too eager to ditch the PC in favor of the easy money of the console world (and slam the PC community in the process), Stardock stands out as pillar of faith for those who believe in the unique power of PC gaming. 

(Also a big thanks for this wonderful open beta process.  I have learned a ton about the art of game design, even if I have yet to get in on the actual beta...yet!)

 

 

 

 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Thanks guys :)  And don't take it personally if we don't use a suggestion of yours...but know that we are listening to what the players are saying and will try to make a game that makes everyone happy in some fashion ;)

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Why would we take it personally if you don't use a suggestion of ours? It seems like common sense - what's fun for me might not be fun to the other players. I'm just happy actually HAVING a say in everything.

And I like to think that having a Stardock rep respond to just some praise says it all - Stardock doesn't just put out games. They put out products, seeking to have happy customers. Case. In. Point.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting BoogieBac, reply 2
Thanks guys   And don't take it personally if we don't use a suggestion of yours...but know that we are listening to what the players are saying and will try to make a game that makes everyone happy in some fashion
End of BoogieBac's quote

 

Entirely off topic: Boogie, what is your avatar from?

 

On-topic: Agreed.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

It is a breath of fresh air to see a few companies are still producing excellent quality PC specific titles.  I've been playing games since the Commodore and Amiga days and the landscape has changed tremendously.  There are still a few companies producing excellent games with incredible modding tools though, and Stardock is certainly one of the best.  I have voted with my wallet and truly believe this game will be the only one I need to scratch my turn-based strategy game itch for the foreseeable future.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

I hadn't thought about it much, but I preordered the game too, and I'm almost a hundred percent sure Elemental is going to rock.  I guess I do feel safe in trusting Stardock's dedication to quality. :D

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Although I think the OP's sentiment is kinda silly and old-fashioned. (I've pre-ordered plenty of games but I always do research on them and I've never made a purchase I regret.) I will agree with his view on Stardocks superb customer-relations and game development. Not to mention the trust they show their customers with their DRM... Or lack thereof. Stardock is tied for my favorite Development Studio, right there with Bioware.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Indeed, Stardock is the one company I pre-order almost every game / expansion from. Part because I like being in the beta, part because I like the games you make, but mostly because I want to support a company that dares to make games for gamers and not follow the latest 'sure' way to make a hit. Thanks Stardock, keep it up...