Surviving this brave new early access world

from GalCiv3 Forums

I saw Galactic Civilizations III on Steam on discount even though it's still in early access.  We have really entered new territory as an industry.

When Valve asks if you want your game featured you answer that question the same way you would answer someone who asks you if you're a god. The answer is always YES.

I could spend many articles praising Steam.  It has been a tremendous good for both gamers and game developers.  But game studios and publishers are also going to have to catch up to the concept that once your game is available, it's available and they have a responsibility to make sure their customers never felt like they were "chumps" for getting in early.

One of the things Stardock is going to be doing over the coming weeks and months is emailing our Founders on our various games and making sure there are additional perks available to them as a thank you and show of appreciation for supporting us.  These perks might include coupons. They might include special access to content that we haven't shown anyone else.  They might include sneak peeks.  But the main point is that we will find ways to make sure we demonstrate our appreciation of our customers in new and creative ways that sends home the message that we care about them and that buying a Stardock game is more than just a transaction, you're part of our team. 

 

29,704 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Stardock CEO who has an apparent love of frogs,

 

                     I love your games and may you and your proginey (sp?) be rich for 1000 years.  If we start to hate your games or hate your company, we could end your company overnight.  Especially in the age of social media, etc.  I was one of those who bought into Elemental vanilla and was absolutely thrilled that you basically gave me two games for free after elemental vanilla.  No other game company has ever done that and I have played many, many games in my 34 years on this planet.  I have to believe that anyone laying down $99 when the game was still in alpha did not have saving a few bucks as the number one consideration on their mind.  The founders get a unique forum badge, the founders got listened to in alpha, and the founders get stars named after them or after whatever they want unless profane, racist, etc.  No one will ever be able to get the perks that the founders got so I just dont see what the big deal is.

 

Keep hopping frog!

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Adolescent Amphibian,

Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to provide your take on this development. I appreciate it.

-Melancholy Bivalve

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Impressive on several levels.  Well done, and thank you.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I could spend many articles praising Steam.  It has been a tremendous good for both gamers and game developers.  But game studios and publishers are also going to have to catch up to the concept that once your game is available, it's available and they have a responsibility to make sure their customers never felt like they were "chumps" for getting in early.

One of the things Stardock is going to be doing over the coming weeks and months is emailing our Founders on our various games and making sure there are additional perks available to them as a thank you and show of appreciation for supporting us.

End of quote

I am extremely impressed by this. First that you sympathize with us founders in this situation, and then that you're taking steps to address this issue. Even if it's a couple wallpapers or alternate textures, a symbolic gesture is all I needed.

 

I never planned on buying Offworld Trading Co (too expensive for something that's not my primary cup of tea), but now I just might...

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Werewindlefr, reply 5

I never planned on buying Offworld Trading Co (too expensive for something that's not my primary cup of tea), but now I just might...
End of Werewindlefr's quote

I would really recommend that you do. I do not like RTSs, but with Stardock and Soren I decided to take the plunge, and even in it's pre-alpha version it was really fun, plus its really nice to have a game that only goes for 20 min when most of the games I play go 10-40 hours per game.

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Look, just give me a reason to stop being a fanboy, it's getting embarrassing

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks for posting this. I really appreciate it.

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks for caring. Honestly i wouldn't have made that last patch to galactic civilizations two,  or promised another when the game is over. I would prefer instead of offers special mods,  races,  or tech trees that only elite founder's only get. Or maybe a free game. Maybe a founder's only campsign,  scenario,  or maps. These are more constructive than deals i can't afford. Maybe custom race picts or ships that only elite founder's get. even elite founder's specialised versions of stock races,  even a redesigned tech tree.

Reply #10 from LittleTinyFrogs Forums Top

That is just awesome and such things are why i preorder your stuff sight unseen. :digichet:

Reply #11 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Here's something nice for elite founder's.  First i sometimes like purchasing new games. It is a needle in a haystack. Usually i get mediocre gamesbecause either i have no idea ehat it is like , .or someone has a different idea of a good gsme. Could you give us demos of all your games,  or give us demos of games you think are good. This would help me feel special,  a special founder's elite expansion,  or D.L.C.