why can't things run on dreams in real life

Vacation's over.

On Friday it was over? It doesn't even matter, it's pretty lame and everyone is still kissing Stardock's ass when these people have families to take care of during a recession.

Brad, the reason why Elemental failed was because you listened to fanboys like the person that just responded to me, the people in this thread and all over these forums that kiss your ass at everything you do right or wrong. Businesses need the "tough-love" type of person that tells it to them straight, and to be honest these forums don't help. These rabid fans miss the big picture because of some crazy ass internet dedication and it ends up hurting the process.

No Solidsmooky, people respond because you are clearly an asshole.  To make light of someone's firing and taking a potshot at Brad who has just admitted it was his responsibility is just immature as hell.  You're a douche masquerading as a human being.

See? Blind rabid fanboys who tell you they'll buy anything you put out even if its a dump in a box hurt your business. Then they get mad when you reveal the truth about them.

Revjwh, you clearly care more about poor Brad the poor old Stardock company than people who have been laid off and are now struggling to find out how they will pay their mortgage/rent or feed themselves or their children. You're not operating in reality.

Really?  Hm.  Let's take apart your logic, Soliddoucheboy.

I downloaded the game.  Paid money for it.  I then realized it wasn't anywhere near playable.

Knowing that this would hurt the company's bottom line (which affects real human beings) I then took out my credit card and bought the LE to send money to the company - i.e. gave money.

You:  bought the game, feel offended, post shit comments that have nothing to do with any reality and then call anyone who disagrees a fanboy. 

I did buy a 'dump in a box' because it is about supporting a company that stands by its products and is honest about its mistakes - that shows maturity.

You?  You simply posted as hurtful a comment as you could to Brad, while he was taking responsibility. 

My post wasn't about the game, it was about you.  You are a douche.

I gave money, Soliddouche, what are you doing to help those people who are now unemployed?  I will buy the game when it comes out in a boxed edition with all and any expansions to give further.  I live in reality far more than your consumer oriented please me I'm entitled little boy mind - I support communities of people instead of "what do I get out of it" like a typical idiocracy consumer.

J

It's funny that you keep on with the name calling and then say i'm immature, followed by a boring wall of text I barely read.

Whatever you say man. Anyway Brad, just remember its "Yes Men" like revjwh that got us here. I'm glad you're taking the criticism to heart.

FYI i've learned that te people who usually say "This is how business works" are the first ones that don't know how to run a business and comment on it to others while enjoying their plush comfortable first world privileged lives. So my eyes usually glaze over after reading that phrase and I save myself the effort of not paying attention to the rest, like when someone says "I'm not racist, but" or "I'm not sexist, but" or really "I'm not _________, but".

Another observation:

Before this news of layoffs broke out, Stardock wasn't doing Elemental for the money.   The bulk of SD's revenue comes from non-game products, and Elemental was more of a hobby, a work of art, and a gift to the community that they were going to evolve on an ongoing basis.   Now with this new news, the layoffs were caused by a reduced budget outlook due to a lackluster launch of Elemental.

Something doesn't jibe.

It has already been explained and answered (SD can afford one team to work on one game without Elemental, but they planned that the money from Elemental would have allowed them to make two games at the same time with a second team).

In short, you didn't even bother to read the thread.

I personally cant think of a small game company I would be happier to support than Stardock. Why?

They care about their customers.

They are honest.

They provide oustanding support, ongoing addons, new features etc. The BIG ones should take notes from SD on this!

They aren´t your average: Hello Im Supportguys3221 how may I help you?...We are aware of that problem... . Have a nice day enjoying World of Schmockcraft... *cough*

Elemental for me is an interesting game, providing a platform for mods and learning development with, great to work with tools (kudos guys).

Needless to say that the game needs work, HOWEVER I and I assume many others would be happy to help SD out in anyway we can, be it adding stuff that is used in an official expansion, suggestion you get the idea. That is something I wouldn´t do to all Developers and SD is the reason.

I think it boils down to this:

People who are willing to support SD despite a rocky release, do care about the potential of smaller developers. Basically saying: so what if they had a rocky start, I want to support them.

And than you have the other guys. This could be me, but in my opinion those are mainly ppl of the younger generation, who do not know much about this industry and its origin. Having the impression all developers are either Blizzard, Activision, Sony or whatever.

Of course the pricetag didn´t do Elemental any favours for those guys.

I did...

Best wishes and luck to all that have been laid off. Let's hope sales skyrocket in the next few months after MP and patches. Then everyone can have their jobs back! Keep plugging away stardock!

I think yuo are a waste of the oxygen you breathe, man your parents failed in teaching you how to be a human being.