Many times I have browsed the sad posts here and enjoyed your disappointment over the failed Elemental WOM.  Why? Because I was wise enough not to buy WOM. I dont buy games the first day they come out because I am smart and patient. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. I dont mind waiting a few days to see what gullible people like you find out for me. You are my test subjects. You thought you were so hot as you stumbled all over each other to get the game the first hour it was available. The truth of the matter... you are not so hot, you are crash dummies. Sure, you believed WOM would a nice bubbly jacuzzi, but after you jumped in you found WOM was an ice water bath, and your initial puzzled posts immediately alerted me to wait and watch a little longer. As the weeks went by  you explained every frigid detail for me, and i knew WOM was not worth buying. Smart Miago.

So whenever life was getting me down and I needed a little pick-me-up, I clicked on the Elemental forums and took perverse pleasure in your moaning and griping. It never ended. It was like a marathon. You disliked the game, you moaned at the Frog, you fought with each other, you even hated yourselves.  Whenever someone on the forums got hopeful for a fix of WOM the whole argument started over again. I watched the wiser ones bash the false hopes, the foolish ones who kept hope alive but couldnt refrain from bashing each other, and bash even their own sorry self. I watched all this from a safe distance. Heh. Stealthy Miago.

Just when the repeated bashings became repetitive and a little boring to read, something happened. Two things really. Kael got a job here. And the Frog announced that there would be a sequel to the failed WOM game which would be given free to anyone who bought the clunker WOM. Now my heart skipped a beat, because this was contradictory. On the one hand, the Frog's offer that I buy a failed game today so I could get an unknown game for "free" at some distant and uncertain date was just the sort of ploy i love to chuckle at. 

On the other hand, I know that Kael fellow from civ4. I remember what he is capable of: organizing a vision that results in depth, innovation, and total fun. And the Frog had actually apologized for WOM(how often does that happen?) he seemed sincere in his vow to make a better game. And several of you bought it.  Man you guys who knowingly bought a failed game for a promise and a song are the definition of gullible. I did not fall for it. Clever Miago.

And things continued as before. Well, not quite. Somehow, in spite of the fact that there was no evidence this 'improved game' would actually be improved, or would even be delivered at all, the bashing eased up. Things got quiet. I didnt like that. I came here to watch you squirm in agony and you werent squirming in agony. You were talking to the devs and they were responding. Oh, there was still grumbling but much of the squirming seemed to be.... anticipation. I felt like the Grinch who expected moaning in Who-ville but was surprised to hear the first notes of celebration. The game would be called "Fallen Enchantress" and many of you kept thinking up ideas.

Then I learned that you test dummies were going to get exclusive beta. So I told myself that this was all Frog hype to keep you from revolting. My favorite crash dummies were in for another tumble, another ice bath. This thought cheered me. How crushed you guys would be! And this time you would not rise up again.

Finally(actually it wasnt a very long time, was it?) Fallen Enchantress Beta released. With popcorn and drink at the ready, I logged in to witness the final crash and burn of Elemental, a tragic epic with a sequel that would end in a pyre of unimaginable rage, mayhem and dispair. Ever see a tarred and feathered Frog?

Ok. i logged in. What did I see? Thoughtful, critical posts, yes. But very little bashing. Mostly brotherly affection for wisely waiting and working together towards this new dawn. And the reviews of Fallen Enchantress were not "ice bath fiasco" but "warm and worthwhile". Not great, but good. And this is only beta.  I blinked.

New beta versions brings good up to 'better'. I watch videos of you guys playing the game. I eagerly read every post you write.

A threshold has been crossed. The game is definitely worth playing already and getting better every week. So now I want to play the game. And as usual, you guys have cleared the way for me and now i will buy it and... ugh. No! I cant download the game. Unfair! I cant get in the beta. Oh, Miago the fool! 

I want to play Fallen Enchantress.  I can see the glint of gold arising from the mire and i want to touch it! To have it. Must have it. And the cruel Froggie wont say when I can be buy it. Maybe never! He does that on purpose to torture Miago who is out in the cold shivering all alone! You are playing the game right in front of me and i cant touch it. Wretched Miago.

 Now I am here to say that i renounce all my wicked secret thoughts.  I have laid it all before you. I have made a full and complete confession. And moreover, I repent!  Miago was wrong. The test dummies who griped but stayed with Elemental WOM  were smart and good. Truly the best of people.

Perhaps you, being the wise and good person that you are, would be so kind as to... petition... the succussful and handsome Frog. You would do this for me? Yes, you could! Frog would listen to you. I mean he listened to you about Elemental WOM, and he is listening to you right now about improving FE. Yes, he is.  You know that the omnipotent Frog reads all your posts and you know he will do as you request if enough of you say so. He will listen to you about poor cold shivering Miago. Its an intolerably cruel world out here. I have my credit card ready to buy old WOM and also buy FE if need be. Its a small price to pay. Thats fair isnt it? Poor Miago... is ready to be Grateful Miago.

All you have to do is post below. Make fun of me if you like. I deserve it. But please end your post with these rightious words: "Let poor Miago in today."

Humble and unworthy

Yet also eager and hopeful,

      Yours,

                     Miago