Stardock's new game -- Elemental: War of Magic

**Beskar** · 09-02-2010, 18:27

Still waiting for word on when my product will arrive. Sent a customer request to Stardock which will hopefully at least shed some light on the issue.

**Xiahou** · 09-03-2010, 00:13

Apparently some time off has changed Brad's perspective on the launch.

Originally Posted by Frogboy

(I'm up north on vacation typing on an extremely slow connection so bear with me)

I don't think people yet fully realize the completeness of Stardock's fail on Elementa's launch.

I'm going to write more about this but not only did we think v1.05 was ready for everyone but we felt v1.0 was too. That's the level of disconnect/poor judgment on our part we're talking about.

If the game had come out in February, it would still have been a disastrous launch because lack of time wasn't the issue. It was blindness, sheer blindness. We felt the game was finished. And I speak of v1.0, not v1.05. Blindness.

There will be massive consequences for Stardock's game studio. I'll be talking more about this when I get back. But the game wasn't released early. The game was released poorly. Head in the sand syndrome imo. I've read the reviews as much as possible given my hideous internet access up here and I agree with them. We just didn't see what they were talking about. We thought any complaints would be about polish points or something.

The point is, the issue here is far far worse than many of you think it is. I wish it was an issue of the game being released too early. That's an easy thing for a company to "fix". Elemental's launch is the result of catastrophic poor judgment on my part.

EVERY competent software developer knows that the programmer must never be the one deciding whether the program is done. Yet, my love of Elemental broke my self discipline and I began coding on the game itself in vast amounts and lost any sense of objectivity on where the game's state was. I normally only program the AI on our games so I can keep a level of distance from the game itself to determine whether it's "Ready". On Elemental, I was in love with the world and the game and lost my impartiality.

We'll do better.

**Beskar** · 09-03-2010, 00:56

On the plus side, at least they release how they completely messed up. I am amazed at how bad it is.

Also, I still haven't figured out how to scroll the camera up-down-left-right yet. Arrow keys and WASD isn't doing the trick.

The whole "super-zoomed out" did help significantly though, it was almost unplayable. I reserve that for the Campaign where my character for the life of him, wouldn't open chat with the first NPC. (yes, I am right clicking on him. Yes, I moved next to him. I can chat fine with NPC's in the skirmish mode)

**Xiahou** · 09-03-2010, 02:41

Originally Posted by Beskar

Also, I still haven't figured out how to scroll the camera up-down-left-right yet. Arrow keys and WASD isn't doing the trick.

You can click+drag if edge scrolling doesnt do it for you.

**Whacker** · 09-03-2010, 05:53

New patch out. It does feel a lot more stable. Started a new campaign, so will see if the game-ending cannot advance turn bug crops up eventually. I REALLY wish they'd do something about the 1 mana per turn regen crap.

**Gregoshi** · 09-03-2010, 05:57

That is a surprising admission by Brad and brutally blunt self portrait of a huge failure. Gotta admire him for stating that in public. Most companies (and people) would scramble for excuses that say "it wasn't me!"

**al Roumi** · 09-03-2010, 14:10

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

That is a surprising admission by Brad and brutally blunt self portrait of a huge failure. Gotta admire him for stating that in public. Most companies (and people) would scramble for excuses that say "it wasn't me!"

I guess, but he also now thinks its not just a matter of bugs and glitches -but substance. That's certainly what some of the reviews have said.

I'm not quite sure what I make of that. But if it means stardock will work to make Elemental very different in a very much "better" or unique way then that could be good. Rather odd though!

**Decker** · 09-03-2010, 19:21

Where's that post by Wardell found?

**Beskar** · 09-03-2010, 19:24

Ok, I had an email from Stardock in return to my question.

It was mailed out on the 1st of September.

...

What the

? The game has been out over a week, and they just mailed it now?

**Gregoshi** · 09-03-2010, 20:32

Originally Posted by alh_p

I guess, but he also now thinks its not just a matter of bugs and glitches -but substance.

Yeah, that is what is most surprising about it - he admitted to fundamental blunders in game play/features. While the release version is a PR nightmare, they certainly could turn it around if they take huge steps to make it right with a major overhaul of the game. It will be interesting to see how this develops.