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Stardock: The BIG Expansion!!

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Stardock: The BIG Expansion!!

The Frogboy hopping along the yellow brick road he his building all the way to OZ!

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/02/04/michigan-guv-gives-stardock-shout-out-state-state
from Elemental Forums

The Governor of Michigan showed some love for StarDock in her State-of-the-State address. Jennifer Granholm, a well know political leader that considers the media production industry a close friend for her constituents showed some good ol' fashion love for SD by touting it as a major economic player in the industry, in her State, by taking time to name its expansion project in her speech. Would you like to know more? Then go here. For a copy of the speech you can click here.

Update 1: Gamasutra recently published an article about the near million dollar expansion project here.

 An excerpt: "This expansion is expected to create 53 jobs at the developer and publisher, whose shipped games include the Galactic Civilizations series and Sins of a Solar Empire. The company was founded in 1991 and currently employs over 60 workers."

 

Update 2: Joystiq just published another related article here.

 An excerpt: "Wardell half-jokingly expressed it's been hard to get folks to move to Michigan and that he usually resorts to lying about the weather and amount of snow."

 

Update 3: In an interview with Frogboy Gamasutra lays out the plan for the expansion project wise (Society information). You can read the interview here.

An excerpt: "Wardell declined to elaborate on the untitled RPG, given its current unscheduled -- likely far-off -- release period. But in an interview with Gamasutra last year, Wardell alluded to plans for a new development team and referenced BioWare as a touchstone." 

Update 4: GameKnights has an article about the expansion project here. GameGuru has a pimp here.

 

NEWS FLASH!!

Things take a twist now! The expansion is being reported as a second studio! Is there no end to SD goodness? :frogboy:

Update 5: The expansion is now being reported as a "second studio" by Wired which has a story here. The RapidShare blog has a pimp here.

Update 6: The Sector9 blog has a pimp here.

Update 7: Edge now has a pretty good article published here. It has a close up mugshoot of Frogboy!

Update 8: BigDownload has a nice one published here.

Update 9: Joystiq has a new article published about the expansion here and Shack has a pimp here.

Update 10: VE3D has a story here.

Update 11: AbleGamers, a community for disabled gaemrs has a blog pimp here.

Update 12: Softpedia has an article here.

Update 13: Frogboy's Edge interview about the situation gets a pimp on GP here.

158,985 views 42 replies
Reply #26 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Alfonse, reply 23

But if the best thing that the governor of a state can bring up in their State of the State address is a company that employs only 132 jobs... I'm not sure that's a state I want to live in.
End of Alfonse's quote

Hehe... ya, Michigan is probably the worst economy for the past few years. The auto industry declined, and Michigan's economy declined with it. Its probably in the speech since it is one of the few sectors which is expanding rather than flatlined.

Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top

Now that the backstory is getting filled in a bit, it sounds like Granholm was here... and took notes. ;)

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Reply #29 from Sins Forums Top


The Governor of Michigan showed some love for StarDock in her State-of-the-State address. Jennifer Granholm, a well know political leader that considers the media production industry a close friend for her constituents showed some good ol' fashion love for SD by touting it as a major economic player in the industry, in her State, by taking time to name its expansion project in her speech. Would you like to know more? Then go here. For a copy of the speech you can click here.
End of quote

This shows you just how pathetic the state of the Michigan economy is; a small company was worthy of mention.  I suppose the new Stardock jobs are part of the "...and in five years you're going to be blown (er, moving) away" booming economy that our airhead Governor Jenny mentioned years ago.

I'm happy for Stardock, but disgusted that the state's politicians still want to pull the wool over Michiganders' eyes with regards to economic progress.  Maybe Stardock can hook up with our new tax-credit-fueled movie industry and make a Sins of a Solar Empire movie.

 

Reply #30 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Hawawaa, reply 8
Ok 50... did I mention I have great listening skills....
End of Hawawaa's quote

I wonder if they have any jobs for very bright Michiganders who aren't programmers.

Reply #31 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting CenturionJixra, reply 5
I wonder if they have any jobs for very bright Michiganders who aren't programmers.
End of CenturionJixra's quote

Two words:

Repo Man

Reply #32 from Sins Forums Top

 

Uh, I was referring to jobs at Stardock.

In the meantime, for the Michigan economy in general, repo man, bankruptcy practitioner, and foreclosure specialist don't seem like bad fields.

Reply #33 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting alway, reply 6

Quoting CenturionJixra, reply 5I wonder if they have any jobs for very bright Michiganders who aren't programmers.

Two words:

Repo Man
End of alway's quote

 

Reply #35 from Elemental Forums Top

Hey now I am a programmer I am learning at Western Michigan. Anywho I was having dinner when watching state of the state. I heard them mention Stardock so hey I was eating pizza... have to focus on food and tv. :grin:

Reply #36 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting rankothefiremage, reply 24
Ever since John Engler left office in 2002, we have had a single state freefall. (as he left us on the edge of a clift and Bush gave us a little push.)

At this point new jobs, to point out new jobs that require college degrees and are in something other than our traditional auto industry is a good deal. Also any new job has an affect on other jobs that is another X0,000 to be earned in the state every year.

 

It is the perfect time to move to Michigan, to start something in Michigan, why? Simple you can get in on big projects without having to work your way up from the first floor. I talk to my bro who is at school just down Michigan Ave from here (Chicago) and he agrees that in Il. or NYC or out west you gota work into the existing systems, here our systems are being rebuild, in some cases from the ground up, meaning rather than rewarding people who have served for years, people who take action and are willing to work hard will be rewarded sometimes more quickly for their daring action.

I look at fellow students who are considering leaving the state and point out now is the perfect time to start up in this state.

-Gabe, Canton 9th, who thinks Michigan weather is great sure it's in the teens today, but at least we don't have over hot summers + huricanes.
End of rankothefiremage's quote

 

Is that so? So if you say youre planning on starting a business in michigan, would you get a nice tax cut?  And is living in michigan nice? :D

Reply #37 from Stardock Forums Top

And is living in michigan nice?
End of quote
I just moved here (to work for Stardock!).  Now is the perfect time to move to MI.  There are going to be so many opportunities in the near future.  You jsut have to remember that it's an inveestment in the future.

Reply #38 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

True, in the long run, I think Michigan will benefit from these tough times.  MI has always been a one trick pony in terms of economy (lumber, mining, autos, etc.).  Now we have the chance to diversify the economy, which is a good thing.  Putting all your eggs in one basket by depending on one major industry to fuel an entire state is never a good idea.  So it's nice to see movie industry incentives and other incentives to bring in other industries.  By using Stardock as an example in her State of the State, Granholm showed the world a successful example of MI's new business strategy, which is good advertising, and will hopefully raise an eyebrow or two in the business world.

Reply #39 from Elemental Forums Top

I have to agree. When a governor names a little guy in the State-of-the-State address, it should send a clear message to the public and more importantly the business community, just where the State wants to focus its attention.

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Reply #40 from Elemental Forums Top

I want to move to michigan.   Everybody is saying its the best time, I believe them O.o

Reply #41 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting landisaurus, reply 15
I want to move to michigan.   Everybody is saying its the best time, I believe them
End of landisaurus's quote

Then the plan is working... *evil laughter in background*

Reply #42 from Elemental Forums Top

I am happy for Stardock. They seem to work hard on satisfying their customers. I know I am one and I am very happy with their service.

 

All hail the frog!  :frogboy: