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Elemental: Why it’s important to get it right

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Elemental: Why it’s important to get it right

from JoeUser Forums

LostLibrary First off, we want to thank the users who are publicly supporting us on our regular and intentional delays of the beta process. We appreciate your support.

This blog is mainly targeted at the users who are contacting us privately telling us quit “delaying” or how important it is for the game to be released in August or saying that we’re being too perfectionist.

Let me address those issues with a bit of understanding about Stardock and its motivations.

Stardock is a privately held company. A lot of people don’t understand the significance of that.  So let me walk you through the ramifications of that.

1. Stardock’s success is not determined by the “timely” release of Elemental. Our software is pre-loaded on millions of computers worldwide. Our enterprise group (that makes MyColors and Fences and Object Desktop) is very successful. So we don’t have financial pressure on us to release games early.

2. With the above in mind, the release of other games is not going to be a factor on when we release Elemental. Our goal is to make sure Elemental is a great game and release it only when we think it’s a great game.

3. No reasonable person is going to argue that Elemental is like “Duke Nuken Forever” because there is an open beta program where people can clearly see the game progressing. We are confident that our beta group agrees with us on the pacing we have for the beta.

4. I believe with certainty that most beta testers will agree with me when I say that Elemental is significant in demonstrating what a modern PC-only (i.e. non-portable) strategy game can do.  It is important for us that it be done right and that means taking our time to make sure every step is done correctly.

5. And don’t worry, even when we believe the game is ready for release, there will still be plenty of people arguing that we “rushed it”. So you can rest assured that there will never be unanimous agreement on when it’s “done”.

6. We are trying our best to be responsive to user requests. For instance, we let new beta testers into beta 1Z rather than making them wait until Beta 2.  I just want to reiterate again though that Elemental will NOT be remotely fun until Beta 3. Anyone who tells you the game is fun at this stage should probably seek out help. Elemental beta 1 and 2 are NOT fun. If I discover something fun in Beta 1 and 2 I will endeavor to make sure it’s removed so that people aren’t spending too much time playing the game. :)

210,319 views 85 replies
Reply #76 from Elemental Forums Top

Mostly they're from non-beta testers.  Some have been from people anxious to get into the beta. Others are people who want us to get to beta 3 (where the graphics are turned on). And still others are people who believe that if we don't release it "soon" that we'll get buried by Civ V and then no one will make a "real" (whatever that means) fantasy strategy game.

I still hope for the game to come out in 3rd quarter but if we're not happy, we'll push it to 1st quarter 2011 and if we're still not happy we'll push it beyond that.  The "vaporware" comments I've gotten I don't think are credible because of the open beta.  People see the game evolve on a regular basis.

 

I've been waiting for this game since the late 90s. You remind me of me, except you have millions of dollars to make the dream become a reality. I don't mind waiting until 3rd quarter of next year for the release. I've waited so long now, what's a few more months.

Reply #77 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Anomander, reply 74
Please please take your time... this game is far from fun, or challenging........it needs ALOT more TLC!

Erm, we are in BETA 1, which is all about finding & fixing "core" bugs, fixing CTDs & lock-ups etc. It is not supposed to be fun or challenging at all. :)

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #78 from Elemental Forums Top

I wish more companies conducted business like Stardock does.  Your company is about the only one I trust to pre-order games from anymore.

Reply #79 from Elemental Forums Top

What I don't understand is if people want to play a rushed version of the game, why not just pre-order and get into one of the betas?  Sure right now they are pretty raw, but I imagine by August/September the betas will start to resemble a feature complete game.

Reply #80 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting kevinlrt, reply 79
What I don't understand is if people want to play a rushed version of the game, why not just pre-order and get into one of the betas?  Sure right now they are pretty raw, but I imagine by August/September the betas will start to resemble a feature complete game.

 

Because people are stupid.

Reply #81 from Elemental Forums Top

Anyone that says you move too slowly can defect to EA ... Wait, all their series-game blur into one another save for the graphics updates. Never mind, wait a bit more than the original release date and get a game that excells in more than just pretty pictures.

Reply #82 from Elemental Forums Top

All I have to say is please, please, please be perfectionistic about this game.

It is such a let-down when a much-anticipated game is released and there is so much room for obvious improvements that they just didn't implement because they had to meet some arbitrary deadline.

Those of us who have been waiting for a worthy 'rebirth' of MOM will have no probs waiting an extra month, or 2, or 3, or 4; we've been waiting how many years already.  Just glad it's coming :)

 

 

Reply #83 from Stardock Forums Top

 I'm in the camp that says do what it takes to make a great game.  Time being irrelevant to me in relation to the end product.  It's your money; and I think your "baby".  Fairly confident you will "know" when to ship.  I hope it will run smoothly in whatever mode I use.  Single player or multiplayer.  I've got the LE order and have just entered the beta.  I am glad that you have the time, energy, technology and money to create Elemental.  I am probably one of the ones who will want it to be pushed back for more content to be introduced, tweaking of rules.  You know how musicians put out double albums.  This is Stardocks(Frogboys) live Double Fantasy.   

Reply #84 from Elemental Forums Top

Well, i sure hope Elemental will be released soon, just like most everyone here, but don't rush it. Take all the time it needs to create a great game. Rushed games never give great games.

I've seen games released too early, and it wasn't pretty (Space Empires V comes to my mind, but there have been others). Sometimes those games can survive the time it takes to get all the patches released until the game can be seen as finished, but others die quickly and never get finshed.

You are lucky, and we are lucky that Stardock doesn't have to respond to an external publisher that keeps pressing for the release of an unfinished project. Everyone should see this as a great opportunity to get a great game.

As for those that can't wait, my advice is : stop smoking, start doing some sport and you'll have more years ahead of you to play the game when it's released :P

Reply #85 from Elemental Forums Top

I also think that the philosophy of "its done when its done" is the best philosophy.

after the game is released no one remembers how long it took to develop it but if it is good or just another mediocre game (for example you don't hear any complains going blizzard way for delaying their games because you know when it eventually come out it is going to be a great game as they usually deliver, DA:O took forever to develop but no one said a word after it was released as it was a great game).