You might be seeing things. Or I'm not seeing things because I notice not discernible change in Tandis' appearance with the addition or removal of items. Like I mentioned I don't mind that the armor doesn't change, I'm good with that, but I would like to see weapon changes and shield changes. Even if the weapon only changes with class of weapon. i.e. change for 1 handed vs. 2 handed weapons, with shield or without shield. But like I say, it is a pipe dream.

Doesn't show the shield I guess, but I'm pretty sure that sword graphic is different isn't it:

http://cloud-4.steampowered.com/ugc/52113889451136352/332558FD90E5AA35BD6BEE5DAC1DF1794FFB7192/

Frog, how much of this can we expect (as far as item customization changing looks)?

Before I get flamed to cinders: The game sounds cool, I'm interested and I trust Stardock. I heard about it, so I'm good. Nothing needs to be changed to satisfy me personally.

But - I am confused.

There is zero reference to Elemental on the steam page. And as an inquisitive sort, that makes me wonder, why? At first I thought it was some sort of complete rip off of elemental by a different developer(for about 5 secs that is).

Fallen Enchantress and Legendary Heroes have earned a respectful spot among the pillars of this genre. Why not shout from the mountain tops that this is the next Elemental game? That would have peaked my interest immediately.

Are you deliberately downplaying the relationship between this and that? Is it because you want the headline to be the asymmetrical aspect of the game design as opposed to the idea of a continuation? Or am I over valuing the "street cred" of FE:LH?

Omission of the Elemental tie provides fodder to those that would seek to portray it as a underhanded re-skin.

Why avoid your brand? It is a good one.

The non-marketing answer is: We're still figuring this all out really.  We don't want Fallen Enchantress players to think we're moving on to some new game.  We still have plans for Legendary Heroes.

There is something inherently idiotic about a reskin portrayal.  The art style is similar and some of the art assets are probably reused or slightly modified from LH, but the game mechanics are different.  That seems closer to the opposite of a reskin than being one.

Which brand is the good one?  There are at least two here, Stardock and Elemental.  From a marketing perspective I assume that Stardock is a strong brand while Elemental might not be.  Trying to create a franchise out of Elemental was ambitious (a grievous fault), but it doesn't oblige Stardock to slap that title on every fantasy setting game they make.

Could you give Bailey a collar and a patch over one eye please?

I concur with adding shields. It cannot have much of an impact on available resources by adding those. I imagine one additional cost would be to add/change animations within tactical combat to include 1h/shield fighting (thinking Tandis here).

Why do you think the Steam forums are so toxic?

I have not posted in here for a long time, but have been lurking around checking in on various games progress. 

I would say that when I first saw the game on STEAM Early Access, I thought someone too had ripped off Elemental. It was only when I saw Icefrog posting in the forums, that I realized it was from Stardock. It probably should be a little more clearly documented.

Anyway, I have added it to my wishlist and will keep a track on it. Personally, after Demigod and then Elemental I am a little wary of investing early. I like Icefrog and Stardock, but still feel that despite holding to promises about free upgrades for early supporters of Elemental, there were still core mechanics broken even in FE:LH (the first game I played I still found AI players doing nothing after 30 turns into the game, because they spawned with no decent city spots around them). Those kind of bugs just make me turn the game off and play something else.

Aren't you tarring everyone with the same steamroller?  

In most cases it's down to a few trolls that shout very loud.  The steam forums have a wider clientele than say, this forum, so your the troll average is bound to seem a little overwhelming in comparison.  There are a great majority of steam customers who are solid in their views, likes and dislike, and only wish to air.

Of course if a developer is trying to put one on over on them, they WILL get angry, wouldn't you?

The question of why there are so toxic is legitimate. I think there is just a lot of anger out there.. Worse, the trolls are now empowered. Get one of them angry, and they can write a negative review.

As for my participation, all I can say is that when I get done reading them I don't want to work on the game. i'm very familiar with many techniques of trying to consciously change my mind on such things such as at least I have my health or don't let a few people get to you. But at the end of the day, my reaction to reading the posts there is my reaction.