What's next?

from PolMach Forums
I understand you folks at StarDock are busy making the game work for people that can't get it to run, and that is great. It's nice to see a company care so much about their customer and actually supporting their product. But, this game grows stale quickly. The newness has worn off and I am left with a game that is rather uninspiring. Every race is the same thing with the only decernable difference being how much more money and capital the harder opponents use.

My question is, after you make the game stable for everyone, what is next on the to do list? Are you folks even concerned about the overly repetitive nature of the game and if so, what plans have been discussed to fix it? I know many people here want to see debates and more stats which would be nice but it seems to me that would just add debates and stats and not add any real depth.

I know you guys went for more game than simulator but I can't believe there is a big market for psuedosims. How many people really bought this game because it looked like it wasn't an election simulator? The novelty has worn off and I am left wondering where the game went and more importantly, where is it going?
7,692 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top
First of all, I love politics. I found it, because I knew I wasn't going to get a certain b-day gift. Despite all the complaints, I decided I was going to take the risk and buy it. It worked fine without the v.1.01 thing. I think people are messing with the game. I messed with the game, and my computer kept on repeatedly crashing....I don't think you should be changing the data...just playing the game. I downloaded candidate Howard Dean, and then I decided to take him out and re-install the game because it was giving me trouble to run it (even with the new version). I think we need to stop fiddling with the game, and just play.

LastStand, you've come out and said that you complain a lot about this game. I understand what you are saying about the repetitive things that happen over and over again in the game, but I think that is something that we have to live with. If everyone goes out and buys this game..hopefully UbiSoft and Stardock will decide to make an expansion back, or do something to make it better. The same thing has happened with different games such as Rise of Nations and The Sims. They aren't advanced until the expansion pack comes out...and that is only if the game sells well.

So, I hope that everything comes true for you....but I don't really think it is going to happen. I hope that StarDock is able to fix the problems that we have right now (I have no clue about them...I've never faced them) but my suggestion to people is to stop fiddling with the Data folder, and just play the game & download the v.1.01 update!
Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top

I think the best route would be, for now, to make sure you have the Operative's Kit and start modifying the data to keep it fresh and new yourself.

Make more candidates, play on-line with friends. Create new issues. Etc.

We woudl like to do an expansion pack but that depends on sales.  Some constructive suggestions would be useful too.

I know things I'd like to see in an expansion pack would be:

+ More Maps
+ Research Mode (a screen where you could invest X of your stamina per week into trying to get new things such as uncover scandals, build grass roots support in various states, improve your various abilities, etc.)
+ Primaries (basically be able to have up to 4 players go for it in the same political party)

But that wouldn't happen before the election. 

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Hey Frogboy, how did I miss the Operative's Kit? I love the game I find it to be fairly accurate and a lot of fun to play. Though I dislike loosing to Condi Rice as John Kerry.

I am crossing my fingers you do make a sequel or expansion for this cool game. I love politics myself. I would also like to see you guys think about working on a Stock market game that really simulates the US markets, and the world. There is no games to date that fill this category I am talking about. I am a real oddball, politics, stock markets, world affairs, and addicted to Galciv and Stardock as a company! Running my own website needs to be tossed in as well.

Those ideas sound great let me think about it a bit I will add some to your post.
Reply #4 from PolMach Forums Top
Hi DF,  Make sure you've tried out The Corporate Machine (www.corporatemachine.com) as it is a business strategy game that was critically acclaimed.
Reply #5 from PolMach Forums Top
I need to sit down and study the instructions I did play it a little bit and really enjoyed it alot. I enjoy all the games from your company. Well, not the old ones there, but the recent additions. Thanks for reminding me as I do want to get back to playing that game. I love those types of game the most. I still would love to see you guys produce a TRUE to life stock market game!


Off Topic: Let me know if I am doing something wrong supporting your products at my website. A few people said they thought how I was posting news on your products may not be legal. I am a registered affiiliate now if that makes a difference at all. Let me know as I do not want to hurt our relationship. http://www.neotechgaming.com (I have to create a advertising block for your products yet!)
Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top
I think the best route would be, for now, to make sure you have the Operative's Kit and start modifying the data to keep it fresh and new yourself


I had considered that but from looking at it, it doesn't seem to add much to the actual play of the game. I may pick it up, especially after reading about the tweaks you folks are trying to get into 1.02.

We woudl like to do an expansion pack but that depends on sales. Some constructive suggestions would be useful too.


How are sales looking? And is there a target number of sales for an expansion or is it kind of a see as you go thing?

And I apologize if my suggestions have been unconstructive.