Jon Shafer, Lead Designer of Civilization V, Joins Stardock

from JoeUser Forums

Stardock Entertainment, independent publisher of games including Sins of a Solar Empire, Demigod and Elemental: War of Magic has hired Civilization V Lead Designer Jon Shafer to help lead the studio’s design and modding efforts. Shafer will bring additional modding expertise to the recently launched Elemental: War of Magic and will take the lead in designing the next as-of-yet unannounced Stardock title.

Shafer hails from Firaxis where he was lead designer and principal gameplay programmer for the 2010 smash-hit, Civilization V. Last month, the company announced it was restructuring its games division, which included bringing Fall From Heaven creator Derek Paxton on board as senior producer. The addition of Shafer to the development team bolsters Stardock’s commitment to fans to continue to support Elemental: War of Magic well into 2011 and beyond.

“Jon represents the best and brightest in PC gaming design. We welcome Jon to our growing team of world-class PC game developers, designers, and producers ,” said Brad Wardell, president & CEO of Stardock. “I am also looking forward to working with Jon on one of our upcoming PC games. His passion and skill at game design combined with Stardock’s commitment of long-term support for its titles and technological expertise will drive our PC games to new heights.”

“With Elemental, Stardock essentially developed an incredible new game engine optimized for the creation of PC strategy games,” said Shafer. “I’m excited to take on a leadership role at Stardock and help the company extend the ability for modders to take this engine and be able to create dramatically different games.”

47,733 views 36 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

This is excellent news!  Congrats to both Jon and Stardock!

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Impressive Acquisition of talent for Stardock. Well Done.

 

I look forward to seeing how Mr Shafer's influence will shape the engine and gaming assets behind Elemental and future games Stardock produces. 

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

“I’m excited to take on a leadership role at Stardock and help the company extend the ability for modders to take this engine and be able to create dramatically different games.”

End of quote
Do.not.distract.me.with.the.possibility.of.creating.an.RPG.game.... X|

Welcome, Mr Shafer! :)

PS in my infinite quest for knowing what english surnames mean, guess what I found as first meaning in the urbandictionary.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

So basically for now Jon will work on the engine's modding capabilities, which directly affect Elemental and the next game in line which will be created with the same engine. If I understood right.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow!

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Excellent news!

 

Now you just need to hire someone who can speed  time, so we don't have to wait for all the good stuff you

all have planned!  :P

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

This is great news, can't wait to see what elemental will turn into.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Grats! Wish you the best Mr. Shafer. You came to a good company.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Welcome!

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Let me the first to buy you a burrito to congratulate you on the new job.

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

these makes me happy i like civ 5 :D

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

Holy S***! Awesome! Welcome! o_O :thumbsup: :beer:

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

Congratulations Jon and Stardock. :)

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Kestral2040, reply 11
THIS IS TOTALLY NEW INFORMATION!
End of Kestral2040's quote

 

Yes .... of course it is Toby .... On a completely unrelated topic, I'll bet you $500 that the U.S will finally have an African-American president. :P

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

Congrats! Can't wait to see what is to come for Elemental! :)

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

o_O

I would love to see how the 2k Civ V Forum is reacting to this news......but I am currently under a 10 day ban (ending 8 January) because I was promoting Elemental War of Magic and Stardock Corp.

-.-

Reply #19 from Elemental Forums Top

Welcome Jon! I look forward to seeing what a young talent like you can bring to Stardock :)  :beer:

Reply #20 from Elemental Forums Top

but I am currently under a 10 day ban (ending 8 January) because I was promoting Elemental War of Magic and Stardock Corp.
End of quote

Thanks for telling us about that.   I mean seriously. 

Reply #21 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting tetleytea, reply 20

but I am currently under a 10 day ban (ending 8 January) because I was promoting Elemental War of Magic and Stardock Corp.
Thanks for telling us about that.   I mean seriously. 
End of tetleytea's quote

It was meant for your eyes only tet...because you care.

I guess I should have just pm'ed you.

Live and learn I guess.

-.-

Reply #22 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting aeligos, reply 18


I would love to see how the 2k Civ V Forum is reacting to this news......but I am currently under a 10 day ban (ending 8 January) because I was promoting Elemental War of Magic and Stardock Corp.

-.-
End of aeligos's quote
That makes sense (banning). If promoting viagra, cell phones and such is not allowed, why should they allow promotion (that not casual mentioning) of a game by another company?

Not saying if it's "fair" or not (did you get warnings first?) but surely promoting the competence isn't polite. Not there, nor here. Tolerance levels about the topic in each forum may vary.

Reply #23 from Elemental Forums Top

Welcome to the team Jon. May you make much magic here...

Reply #24 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow, this is big news!

Reply #25 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Wintersong, reply 22

Quoting aeligos, reply 18

I would love to see how the 2k Civ V Forum is reacting to this news......but I am currently under a 10 day ban (ending 8 January) because I was promoting Elemental War of Magic and Stardock Corp.

-.-That makes sense (banning). If promoting viagra, cell phones and such is not allowed, why should they allow promotion (that not casual mentioning) of a game by another company?
Not saying if it's "fair" or not (did you get warnings first?) but surely promoting the competence isn't polite. Not there, nor here. Tolerance levels about the topic in each forum may vary.
End of Wintersong's quote

No warnings.. just edited content.

One post I submitted was of Mr Wardell's holiday "build of the adventurers" post, showing how his vacation time was being used to actively support and improve our Elemental game play.

I was thrilled and very much appreciative of his and Stardock's post-release support that I wanted to share that with the 2k members who were at that time pissed-off at Firaxis for its lack of communication and apparent lack of post-release support and such.

That post was edited, no warning...then I was given the silent treatment.

X|

I chuckled loudly.  I did.

-.-