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The next phase

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The next phase

from JoeUser Forums

Elemental: War of Magic v1.09 was released last week.  It’s been a challenging month or so since the release of the game.  At this stage, the technical issues that affected the game at release have been largely resolved.

Now we move towards the next phase which is where we begin to address the game play based on feedback and our own experience.

Now as some people have probably noticed, most games released today are sequels to existing games. It’s difficult these days to launch a new franchise and Elemental has certainly been no exception.  We don’t wait to wait for some future Elemental II to make sure the game lives up to its potential. And realistically, I don’t think we have that luxury.

Elemental: War of Magic is, ultimately a strategy game that lives in a fantasy/RPG style world.  There is so much potential there to be tapped and having suffered the knocks of the initial launch, we want to make sure we do things right going forward.

During the later parts of the beta, I took over as the interim Producer (Project Manager) of Elemental: War of Magic.  Typically, my role is that of Executive Producer and AI developer.  But the sheer immensity of Elemental: War of Magic led us to conclude last Spring that I needed to get more directly involved.  With v1.09 now out, it’s time for me to return to my traditional role on our games and pass the torch on to someone else.

After careful internal consideration, it was decided that we needed to bring in someone with a great deal of project management experience.  This way, Elemental and our future games would have a dedicated, experienced, full-time Producer and I would be able to get back to running Stardock as a whole.

Tomorrow, we’ll be announcing the new Producer for Elemental and, in all likelihood, Stardock’s subsequent games that we develop.  This is a person that is already well known and well respected in the PC gaming community and we’re very excited to be able to hire someone with his talent, experience, and qualifications to succeed me as the Producer on Elemental.

This will allow me to focus my time on design and AI on the game without neglecting the rest of Stardock. In turn, a full time experienced Producer on Elemental will ensure that subsequent updates and expansions get the kind of attention they need and deserve.

We are going to have Elemental: War of Magic v1.1 be the transition between he and I.  After that, we’ll begin work on the first expansion pack for Elemental which will be given to all people who currently own Elemental: War of Magic.  I won’t go into any details on that expansion since our new Producer will be heavily involved in the specifics of the design.

Our goal for Elemental to become a worthy successor to classic games like Master of Magic has not changed and we will be continuing to endeavor to make that a reality. Stay tuned!

444,059 views 133 replies
Reply #101 from Elemental Forums Top

Wheres my crying towel? I just want to play the game. Finally, the sun is shining. A new hope has arrived. They call him "the savior". He will make it better. All is not losted. Theres a new sherrif in town. Yes, I`m free as a bird. Just maybe ..... Then I woke up. Reality sucks.

 

Freebird out.

Reply #102 from Elemental Forums Top

There seriously is something wrong with that Freebird guy.

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Reply #103 from Elemental Forums Top

There is something seriously wrong ? Really .... You think.  This Freebird guy is telling it like it is. You guys do not like it. I could careless if you or anyone else has a problem with my opinion. My purchase of the crappy game gives me the right to say how I feel. I want the game to be a great game. If fact I`m demanding it. I will not get off my high horse until it is fixed. Sorry guys, but thats the way it is.

A new leader is in place. I`m encouraged by this move on Brads part. Lets hope this is the answer. I`m trying to get over it. So let me sound off.

I feel better already.

Freebird trapped in the birdcage.   

Reply #105 from Elemental Forums Top

Hey Freebird. If you spent 50$ already you might as well sit here with us and wait what the EWoM will become. Download an update when it'll be available and play few turns. I hope that some day you'll say 'Damn it's good I've waited'... or you can try to get a refund.

Reply #106 from Elemental Forums Top

Yeah, Xia.  That's the way.  Drop another F bomb on someone while telling someone to check their attitude at the door.

Pot.  Kettle.  Kettle.  Pot.  Nice to meet ya.

Reply #107 from Elemental Forums Top

Sorry I'm not nice to those people who feel the need to come here and continue to bitch about the game, Frogboy, Stardock or Kael.  I'm tired of it.  We need to move on.  We need positive attitudes and ideas.  If you are not willing to provide either of those, then yes, leave.  All Freebird is, is an attention whore who thinks they are more entitled than they really are.  No, you buying the game does not entitle you to come here and piss and moan while we are celebrating Kael's arrival.  Sorry.  And you can get off your little moral high horse too.  I know it's great to find a moral high ground then wave a flag to let everyone know you found it, bravo.  Yes, I did not ask Freebird kindly to leave.  But that doesn't change the fact that we would be better of if he did.  Sorry if I didn't feel he deserved a well thought out, polite response.  I believe my response was quick , accurate and to the point.

Reply #108 from Elemental Forums Top

High ground or not, if your "positive attitudes and ideas" mean telling people to go fuck themselves then I wouldn't want to meet you on a neutral or even bad day.

Reply #109 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting aLap, reply 100
Awesome! Now add better eye-candiness to the game (minus the silly graphic demands of Civ V). Pretty please.
Man. Your priorities are way different than mine. Eye candy? Why would he prioritize that?

Reply #110 from Elemental Forums Top

TO: Loed Xia

I understand your point. I even agree to some extend on the attitude thing. I had a good attitude when I bought the game. My attitude went in toilet when I had to download the first patch even before playing the game. My expectations were high and I thought very highly of Stardock. Thats why it surprised me that Stardock would release a product with so many bugs. As far as moving on, I have done that and more. I`m taking a wait and see attitude. I`m already invested in the game.  So, with that said....... Lets the game begin anew.

 

Freebird still in the birdcage.

Reply #111 from Elemental Forums Top

All Freebird is, is an attention whore who thinks they are more entitled than they really are.

Telling other users to f--- off, regardless of your reasons, isn't going to do *anything* positive. Take a few days off from the forums.

Reply #112 from Elemental Forums Top

I always enjoy your sense of humer Xia, but the f bombs do not flatter you.

Reply #113 from Elemental Forums Top

seriously calling them f bombs is annoying. What I mean is, saying the phrase "f bomb" is annoying.

Reply #114 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting BlackRainZ, reply 113
seriously calling them f bombs is annoying. What I mean is, saying the phrase "f bomb" is annoying.

Well, I can't help being annoying, but I can use clean language in a public forum.

EDIT: You know you are correct. That was annoying. I heard the term on the news I think, and I guess I'm not real sensitive to what is annoying and what isn't. I guess I'll have to submit to whatever penalties there are for being annoying. I just wanted to soften the blow for Xia, because usually he's a constructive poster, I didn't want him to think he wasn't welcome around here.

Reply #115 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Derek, reply 89
Drat, I had Steve Barcia in the pool!

 

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and all the great feedback (pro and con) here on the forum.  I've been reading it all for the past few weeks and I'm excited to start sharing with the community once I start with Stardock next month.  Please continue to be as open with ideas and feedback as we work on making Elemental great.

So does this mean we will not see a FFH mod for CIV 5 now?

Reply #116 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Freebird1956, reply 103
There is something seriously wrong ? Really .... You think.  This Freebird guy is telling it like it is. You guys do not like it. I could careless if you or anyone else has a problem with my opinion. My purchase of the crappy game gives me the right to say how I feel. I want the game to be a great game. If fact I`m demanding it. I will not get off my high horse until it is fixed. Sorry guys, but thats the way it is.

A new leader is in place. I`m encouraged by this move on Brads part. Lets hope this is the answer. I`m trying to get over it. So let me sound off.

I feel better already.

Freebird trapped in the birdcage.   

Oh don't take what I said about you being free and flying away as an insult of a knee jerk idiotic Fanboy response like some of the others. I just saw the name and made my comment:) 

Unlike the fanboys I don't mind post that say they are leaving the game and list the issues we have. You were right to post what you did.

Reply #117 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 107
Sorry I'm not nice to those people who feel the need to come here and continue to bitch about the game, Frogboy, Stardock or Kael.  I'm tired of it.  We need to move on.  We need positive attitudes and ideas.  If you are not willing to provide either of those, then yes, leave.  All Freebird is, is an attention whore who thinks they are more entitled than they really are.  No, you buying the game does not entitle you to come here and piss and moan while we are celebrating Kael's arrival.  Sorry.  And you can get off your little moral high horse too.  I know it's great to find a moral high ground then wave a flag to let everyone know you found it, bravo.  Yes, I did not ask Freebird kindly to leave.  But that doesn't change the fact that we would be better of if he did.  Sorry if I didn't feel he deserved a well thought out, polite response.  I believe my response was quick , accurate and to the point.

You know what I'm tired of...Fanboys such as youself that like to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the glaring problems with a game. This "positive attitudes and ideas" that you seem to need to help you ignore the issue with the game will not help make the game better PERIOD.....

I personally wish you fanboys would just stop posting your drivel to game forums as it is rarly constructive.  If you just kiss Dev butt all the time and never inform them of the issues with the game then it is not going to improve.

I have hopes for the game and I think SD will pull it togahter in the end, but I also have problems with it. And because I have problems with the game and post them does not mean I'm 'hating' on the game.

Reply #118 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 111

All Freebird is, is an attention whore who thinks they are more entitled than they really are.
Telling other users to f--- off, regardless of your reasons, isn't going to do *anything* positive. Take a few days off from the forums.

 

Thanks for being the voice of reason. His Internet Warrior schtick was getting tired.

Reply #119 from Elemental Forums Top

Thanks for the welcome. I believe I have recovered from my insanity. I`m out of the birdcage. I`m the freebird once again. Back to the future. All is right with the world today. 32 miners resued in Chile. Now thats something to celebrate. Guys have a great day.

Freebird

Reply #120 from Elemental Forums Top

must be Richard Garriott... haha, its a fantasy to ever hope Tabula Rasa would return, thats why i'm here playing Elemental =p

Reply #121 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting EnMySites, reply 120
must be Richard Garriott... haha, its a fantasy to ever hope Tabula Rasa would return, thats why i'm here playing Elemental =p

*crickets*

Reply #122 from Elemental Forums Top

So at this point I'd like to see a revision or update to the original post by Frogboy addressing the changes as a result of Kael's addition to the team.

Reply #123 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting MOIISKA, reply 122
So at this point I'd like to see a revision or update to the original post by Frogboy addressing the changes as a result of Kael's addition to the team.

Don't you think that all of that needs to be determined at this point in time?  Sheesh.  The guy's hiring just was announced.  He may not have even moved yet.

If the interview and announcement haven't given you enough insight, then I don't know what else to tell you...

Reply #124 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Jharii, reply 123

Quoting MOIISKA, reply 122So at this point I'd like to see a revision or update to the original post by Frogboy addressing the changes as a result of Kael's addition to the team.

Don't you think that all of that needs to be determined at this point in time?  Sheesh.  The guy's hiring just was announced.  He may not have even moved yet.

If the interview and announcement haven't given you enough insight, then I don't know what else to tell you...
"At this point" doesn't meant this exact instant. be it tomorrow or next friday or whenever.  I'd like to see the original post by Frogboy revised/adjusted based on Kael's addition to the team.  I thought I was clear about that.

Reply #125 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting MOIISKA, reply 124

"At this point" doesn't meant this exact instant. be it tomorrow or next friday or whenever.  I'd like to see the original post by Frogboy revised/adjusted based on Kael's addition to the team.  I thought I was clear about that.

Considering that "at this point" specifically means at THIS point in time, not THAT point in time, or THAT OTHER point in time...  I would say that you were very clear.  It means "now."  But enough about semantics, I was merely expressing that we can exhibit a bit of patience.  They are making changes to make things better.

Brad has been nothing but prompt and forthright about sharing information.  I am sure that he will share whatever he has as soon as he has it.  The new dust has to settle a bit and this is a pretty major event for the life of Stardock and Elemental.