1561

They charge because they know people are willing to pay to be in the beta.

1562

So, how about them special abilities?

1563

They are not charging for the beta, but for the final game.

1564

I don’t, nor do I see it pop up walking through a mock pre-order through Impulse right now.

Well, if that’s the case, why does

We do not give refunds on beta or pre-release versions of software or subscription renewals

apply? If they charge for the full game, why can’t I get a refund for the full game?

Right, but if you’re just pre-ordering and there happens to be a beta going on, you’re screwed?

1565

Just out of curiosity, what were the decisions that turned you off on the game, Frank?

1566

http://elementalgame.com/purchase.aspx

1567

It has something to do with the CEO of Stardock posting things like:

  • Tactical battles are boring
  • Tactical battle spell books don’t work right
  • No retaliation implemented in tactical battles
  • The maps in tactical battles are boring
  • there’s too much crap thrown around the map
  • There’s a zillion low level quests to start with (Inns everywhere)
  • The AI just sits around doing nothing
  • The technology tree is poorly balanced
  • The UI is awful to use
  • The spells that are in there are boring and unimaginative
  • etc.

a month before release.

1568

I may not have every answer to what you’re posing, but there’s this in bold at the top of the game description:
Note: You will be charged immediately for this product and gain access to Beta 3 via the Impulse client.

1569

For starters there’s a asterisk with that info right on the bottom of that page.

1570

I see that, too, but I don’t see any warnings that you won’t be given a refund, except if you buy directly from elementalthegame.com, like Dave just posted. If you go through Impulse you get no such warning.

1571

I would trust the CEO of pretty successful company to know that if he has this problems he is not going to release the game half baked.
He wouldn’t have mentioned the problems if he didn’t think they’re solvable (which he does according to this thread).
Give them a chance to finish the game. You’re reading honest opinions of developers in the middle of the development process, this usually sounds pretty grim even for good products.

1572

Except for the same CEO mentioning how they could delay Elemental if it’s not ready for release, but it would be impossible to get retail space for it again before the holiday season.

A month out from release is not enough time to make the game fun, or make the UI not suck, or make the AI “do something”.

1573

Heh, I laughed. Oh, they are solvable, but within a few weeks? nah

1574

Oh, you’d be amazed at what comes together in the last few days in a game, much less the last few weeks.

1575

I’d be more amazed if I could cancel my pre-order.

1576

Then don’t preorder?

1577

This strictly depends on the quality of the team. A well built piece of software can be accomodate such changes quite fast. And the impact of a change on the game is not necessarily tied to its implementation time.
You can see a lot of people here said the game really improved in the last month.

(Then again, I have been known to be over-optimistic…)

1578

Okay … now mind you, I just went to impulsedriven.com (this is not my gaming PC) and clicked on “policy” and went to “Software Published by Stardock.” it says:
We do not give refunds on beta or pre-release versions of software or subscription renewals. Refunds are only available for fully-released programs.

(bolded part theirs, not mine). That seems pretty straight forward. Can someone else do the same via the Impulse client?

1579

Damn, how many times does Brad have to post that they are willing to delay the game until Q1 2011 (the next window) if it’s necessary? I’m not saying everyone’s going to give it a 10/10, but considering Stardock is planning to spend the next three years releasing content for this game, I would think Brad’s telling the truth when he says they won’t ship unless it’s ready.

1580

Emphasis all mine.