I would think the larger concern is not with the small group of loud complainers that don't understand the concept of testing.  I think the concern would be that it could have a negative impact on future potential buyers.  

I don't know anything about how Steam forums are managed, what gets carried over, and what controls you have over what reviews are visible or remain after the game moves out of "early access".  Whether we like it or not, there are many potential buyers who, instead of looking carefully at reviews, will look at overall recommendation ratings on steam as well as metacritic scores.  The problem is, if the reviews carry over to final release, that would be a problem.  Even if the forums would eventually have those alpha comments buried, if the reviews can stick, I would be concerned.  

We saw something similar happen with Elemental.  Even if after a couple iterations, the game became a good game... it lost all its steam because of the reviews stuck.  (granted, that was for a game release, not a testing version).

Whether the game is sold through steam now or not, I don't have a strong opinion, as long as you are able to distinguish this version from the release version from within Steam's architecture so as to minimize the impact of the current batch of steam trolls.

I suspect Metacritic scores and Steam User reviews are much more important for the game image than what happens in the community hub. MetaCritic is typically published on final release and not during Alpha/Beta.  As for the Steam User reviews, only the Elite founders can write them at the moment, those are mostly all loyal StarDock fans who understand what the Alpha is about and I do not expect they will leave a negative review.

I think It might turn out alright for the Alpha stage, but if StarDock decides to release the regular price Pre-Order on steam for the Beta... I dunno.

Thanks for clearing that up for me MaxWar.  That is helpful.

Still, if the concern is that people will buy elite founder edition and complain about having paid that much for an unfinished or broken game, those same people could write reviews.

They could, but hopefully I doubt there will be many. Most people will think thrice before buying a 100$ game preorder, for this reason I think pretty much only the true hardcore fans will buy it. All the others will whine about it in forums but ultimately their powers will be limited. 

But then who knows, some idiot somewhere is bound to believe this package is for the finished game with all the expansions and DLC ALREADY and then complain he got ripped off and write a grand flaming review in the Steam User section, which will subsequently be upvoted by all the trolls.

That can happen when dealing with humans.

If somebody pays $100 for a game they don't want and probably won't like, while having insufficient reading ability to make out the front page that clearly states multiple times that it is unfinished, they need to be eliminated from the gene pool.

Prime example of why the Yor are superior. 

While I agree, there will be many immature people posting to the hubs and Steam forums, and while there are a few colorful idiots posting currently, it's not as bad as I expected it to be.  I remember the bashing Wasteland 2 took because it was $60 and Early Access, so I really imagined this would be a whole lot worse.  Of course, it's still early, I'm sure it will get worse. Much worse.  

There are already comments on the Steam page. Dear lord, the stupid...

Yo, Froginator...I'll fork over even more money if you go on there and call 'em all out and then eloquently 'splain why they're morons.

He did that earlier on already, in a rather polite way. If he was to explain this to every single one of them that would be his new full time job considering their numbers :p

Seriously I can't believe all the people whining on the Steam hub. Don't they have something else to do?

I'm afraid you'll just have to burn it.

Let's separate 2 things :

- I loved all galciv games to date so I know what to expect from this one

That said I think (as I said in my thread) this is thievery.

Are you guys such fanboys that you don't see clear anymore?

What warranty you have that they release what you want? What warranty you have there will be dlc's or xp's? (you're paying for them upfront but all you got back is their word).

Why should I pay (I or anyone) a ridiculous amount of Money to work? (if you were ever in an alfa you know it will be work)

I'm sorry if you can get past that without blinking then you all became mindless zombies...

Steam hides the forums behind a bunch of clicks, I think it is a worry with little merit. I think if they want to use steam they are stuck using it. Steam wants to be able to make some money off the title.

It is their money and their right to spend it on what they want.

Nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy the Founder's Elite Edition.

Also it is not thievery if you willingly give someone your money.

I am sorry but if this is true then why do i get gamersgate mailing special offering me the founders edition today?

Stardock seems to be setting commercials trying to get more players into the alpha (and thus making them rant more). These alpha stages should be for the fans that are looking into it activly. The hardcore fans that are willing to make a contribution. 

At least that is my opinion on the matter.

But more important: Please do not say you agree on the matter and then do something proving you mean something else.

As I mentioned, for me it is not about being a fanboy (though I do like the company).   We all make decisions on what we will do for entertainment, how we will spend it.  If I can spend a little, support a company I like, and enjoy participating in testing, then it is worthwhile for me.  Maybe not for you.  Do we know that there will be any DLCs?  What if the game is terrible?  Yes, all valid questions.  There are no guarantees. But I am of the growing opinion that game studios will more and more turn toward models which find as many ways to get seed money or backing for projects because the relative cost of making games compared to how much you earn is not what it once was.   If you compare labor to profit ratios, working within a more traditional game studio to craft a game seems more and more like an art or labor of love - when compared to the insane amount money earned by devs who do comparatively little work on a little game about candy through the in-app purchasing model.

A few more rambling thoughts... I understand why some might see this as a waste, especially when compared to how gaming used to be - and still how some game studios can afford to do business.  For me, supporting Stardock is in part a way to cheer for the "little guy".  I also know that regardless of critic reviews, I would end up purchasing the game no matter what.  So, we are adding, say $60 to the cost?  I've more than that on silly apps and in-app purchases going to companies that are really... low effort high profit.  

I've thought soberly about it and still don't mind spending the money.

Damn, he did it, too. It was like watching him slam his head against a wall.

I don't think I have enough money for that but I'll try.

One penny...two pennies...three...fou-damned Canadian coins...four...

I have trouble navigating steam. I haven't been to the hub or forum there, nor would I want to from what you guys make it seem.

Now what I'm about to ask I think I already know but... are people REALLY this stupid, or are they angry at life? Does anyone remember the moon dust story I made up, I think the dude in the story may be the description of a Steam troll.

DARCA

May I suggest also putting the regular pricing up on the Steam store page in a highly visible location, along with the date / quarter when you expect pre-orders for regular priced copies to be available, so it is more obvious to the illiterate masses that they merely have to wait in order to pay for the game at a more normative price point?