6021

Well a lot of that is subjective and people’s opinions are going to differ. Some people thought GalCiv2 was “ok”, some really loved it, I’m sure plenty hated it. Pretty much like any other game out there.

Also, saying that GalCiv2 doesn’t have all the features MoO2 did at release is a bit disingenuous; they were making GalCiv2, not MoO3. It also had a lot of features MoO2 didn’t have.

Still, I think the fanbase of Stardock has more to do with their overall customer relations stances on issues like DRM than it does particular games.

6022

I entirely agree. It’s their PR and the goodwill generated from Sins of a Solar Empire that energized their fanbase. Of course, with the lousy launch of Demigod and now the disastrous launch of Elemental, I think their credibility is strained with all but the most die-hard fanboy.

6023

I’m cautiously optimistic about Elemental at this point. While credibility is at an all-new low for Stardock in my eyes, they do have a reputation for improving games through expansions (look at what Galciv 2 became after two expansions) that leaves me hopeful for the future of the game. Bringing on Paxton only makes me even more optimistic for the game’s future, though I hope he’s given the freedom he needs to make things right.

The jury is still out on my future opinion of Stardock. I feel it’s only fair to give them a chance to make things right, which is precisely what I will do.

6024

They had that Political Machine game that people seemed to enjoy also.

In terms of credibility, not sure what credibility buys with me anymore than an assurance I’ll take a look at a game sometime after release. Blizzard is the only developer I’ll buy from sight unseen, and even with Blizzard I feel like I can wait. My days of having to have a game on release day are over.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Kael does with Elemental.

6025

For me, it was:

GalCiv - Liked it.
Political Machine - Liked it.
GalCiv 2 - Liked it.
Political Machine 2 - Liked it a lot.
GalCiv 2: Dark Avatar - Liked it.
GalCiv 2: Twilight of the Arnor - Loved it.
Sins of a Solor Empire - Loved it.
Demigod - Wanted to like it, but ultimately didn’t.
Elemental - Ugh. FML.

From a pure numbers perspective, Stardock has a decent track record in my tally. The issue is that Elemental is so bad and the drama surrounding the launch is so terrible, that it almost completely outweighs the record.

6026

Stardock didn’t make Demigod or Sins, so…

6027

What the hell does that mean? They know when I bought and registered their damn game (day one). If they are going to tell me I don’t qualify for the free stuff because I’ve justifiably been ignoring this game while I wait for them to fix it then they deserve to be sued.

6028

Yeah, I know, but Brad certainly made himself the public face for both games. I’m pretty sure Stardock had a lot more say on the production of Sins and Demigod than a normal digital distribution deal.

6029

…wait, you had to download an update? Bah. >:

6030

Wait, just buying and registering wasn’t enough? One had to download an update? That seems very…problematic for a lot of people. :(

6031

The last time I had Elemental installed was at 1.08, I hope that’s enough or I will be pissed.

6032

You should be good. I’d contact support just to make sure though. There was an update prior to day 1 . Also I’m pretty sure beta updates would count if you pre-ordered. So if you bought retail or pre-ordered, and installed the game, you installed an update.

Worst case scenario, you get the 1st XP free.

6033

Reading the post he’s replying to, I think his comment about updates is specifically referring retail copies, not digital.

6034

There was a day -2 update to the retail, and Impulse does keep track on when something is last updated, so I don’t think there will be a problem.

If you just kept the game in the box and never installed the game, or just played without ever connecting to Impulse, then you’re probably out of luck.

6035

I was typing my previous post on mobile and didn’t see yours. My post was directed at the people worried they wouldn’t qualify for the free update.

Basically, now that I have access to a real keyboard, I was trying to say that Brad’s post about needing to download an update appears to be in response to a retail query. I.e., if your DVD is still shrink-wrapped and stuffed in a desk drawer somewhere, you’re out of luck because they have no way of determining when you purchased it.

If you’ve interacted with Impulse in any way, such as buying it digitally or downloading an update, they’re going to have a record of when you purchased it and shouldn’t have any cause to worry.

6036

That sounds more realistic. The first quote seemed to imply that you had to have downloaded something specific in order to qualify.

Still, there are going to be a fair number of people who bought the game and set it aside because they heard all the bad news who are going to be screwed over by this.

6037

They didn’t even install it and get the day-0 patch?

I mean, come on! I hate Elemental, but I would’ve at least checked it out for myself.

I’m sure there may be a few people that miss out, but “fair number” implies more than I’d expect.

6038

That’s true, but in that case I would say that they’re still getting a free expansion out of it, just not two. I’ve purchased a lot of bad games in my time, either from a technical or gameplay standpoint (or both), and in those cases I’m always just out fifty bucks. At least Stardock is doing something to try to ameliorate the trainwreck.

6039

I am shocked that Stardock managed to bungle this latest aspect of Elemental. I also believe fore can cure burns.

Planning on checking it out next year after they get their stuff together… or never if they don’t. This forum really saved me from plopping cash down on a beta.

6040

It might be that they pile more cars on top of the wreck… I really hope Elemental becomes salvageable.