I think I'd have to draw the line on that one.

Might be a good idea. Stardock has never showed us a real high end graphical capability like Demigod or Sins or Sup Com etc. iPhone games FTW!

At least it's not Elementary: War of Schools.

I do think this means that next project post-Elemental might have to be GalCiv3.   GalCiv name is still pretty valuable.

Shame for all the missing employees- hopefully the application side gets a boost so they can get hired there.

As for casual games- didn't Cari get hired on at Stardock for doing Lightweight Ninja?

Aw, I didn't realize the launch for Elemental was really that bad, the forums were always so lively before and after launch.  Well if it means anything I've bought the LE of the game and destiny's ember and I'll continue to support in anyway that I can.  Good luck!

Here's to better days.

I love my dragon. Thanks, Elemental team.

I'm sorry it had to come to this but I can't say it's a big surprise.

Sure Elemental has some issues which mainly boil down to featuritis, but it shows that it's a work of love. I'm sure all staff did an awesome job and everybody on the forums and irc have been super nice. As a modding platform and software in general, Elemental is pretty solid and I'm sure Stardock and the modding community will come up with great additions and changes to the game.

I'd like to express my sincere support to the people who were laid off and to the rest of Stardock who - I am sure - will spare no efforts to redeem Elemental from its chaotic launch. I hope SD will get back on its feet quickly and bring back the good people to work on more awesome projects.

The only reason I haven't bought it is because I can't find any demo.

Bugs wouldn't really put me off.

a sad day. our thoughts are with everyone affected.

I truly appreciate the open and honest response from the company--I've had very unfortunate experiences with other companies, and I don't even think Elementals is half as problematic as some of the games I've played.  (EA's Sims 3 horror show... I now refuse to buy anything with the EA logo on it.)

I have to agree about the distribution issues.  My husband and I waited anxiously for the release of Elemental: WoM and up until the week before launch, stores here (Finland) had the release date as To Be Announced.  Finally we realized that we'd have to purchase the download if we wanted to try the game--and that's not the most comfortable option for us.  The shipping on the disk version was far too high for us to order the disk and the download.  (That really bothers me.)

There are problems with this game for sure, but I've been able to play it and enjoy it a LOT even before the latest update.  Unlike Sims 3, which was just unplayable and went from bad to worse with updates.

Thanks for not being EA.  Seriously!

Quoting aLap,

reply 34

Here's to better days.

This.

Best wishes to those affected by the fallout, may they find new homes that are as comfortable and friendly as Stardock seems to be.

Also, I don't think the brand name Elemental will be tainted overall by the poor launch of this game. Too many consumers nowadays expect first iteration launches of games to match up almost point for point to game brands and studios with decades worth of experience within their game genres.

GalCiv and GalCiv2 are good examples. GalCiv is a first iteration game, and while the game borrows heavily from The Civ brand, it is unique enough in the new features and concepts to be a fun play even when compared to Civ.

Elemental is in the same boat, but it only looks like the main issue was the combination of too many genres with too little systems testing, but for a first iteration game I am more then impressed. With Stardock's reputation for continuing development and expansions on their games I have a feeling by the time they put Elemental down it will have pulled a phoenix impression.

Also Frogboy and Stardock in general, can I make a completely selfish request? I don't know how many people ever played the series, but could it be bounced around some the idea of a game similar to New Horizons series? I really miss that game, and always wish some company would resurrect it.

As a former Stardockian, the hardest part about leaving is that it's such a close group and leaving is more than not working there.  It's a loss of family.  I really miss being there day-to-day.

My thoughts are going out to those laid off.