I just saw that.  That's too bad.

The opinion of many (not necessarily me) is that he 'dumbed down' civ V...and he knows people think that.  To post something like that button post is a bit of a kick in the balls to civ fans.  He's almost acknowledging that he did dumb it down and is now joking about doing it to EWoM...not so funny.

It might be in bad taste, but occasionally everyone does a bad taste joke (and what is bad taste varies from person to person).  I'm just going to wait and see what results there are from the new team.

Best regards,
Steven.

That is the real Jon Shafer. At least that's what he told me.

To get serious for a bit though - my goal is not to come to Stardock and change everything. Every company and every project has different goals, priorities and challenges to overcome. With Civ 5 we had a particular target, but that doesn't mean every Stardock game I'm involved with is going to be like Civ 5 in some way. Stardock aims for a different audience compared with other studios, and Brad has a clear idea on what kinds of projects he wants to make. I'll be lending my experience to that cause, and in the end, hopefully we end up with better games.

To those who have extended a warm welcome, you have my thanks!

For those skeptical of me coming aboard, I hope to win you over in time. I can promise you I'll do my best.

And for those who hate my guts, you'll be seeing a lot of me around these parts, so better get over it! Interacting with the fans is one of my favorite parts about making games, and I know not everyone will enjoy what you create. But one of my biggest goals going forward is to make sure you guys are happy with our games. So if you haven't liked my previous work, I ask that you give it another chance in the future. There's some really cool stuff coming up.

Jon

He's not mocking Civ 5, he's mocking the people who are claiming that all of Civ 5's perceived failings are his fault alone.

Personally I feel that even if you didn't like Civ5 (And i did like it) you couldn't deny that the new direction it took was both innovative and brave. Ironically it is not the new things that disgruntled people, but what was left out to make room for them. Therefore If Jon can come into Elemental and offer new and brave ideas on how to take the game forward, combined with a team of people that want the game to remain true to its core we are all onto a winner.

Given that a lot of talk on the disappointment that is 'tactical' combat in Elemental and combine that with Jon's love for wargames I would hope that the hiring of Mr Shafer (bored of referring to him as Jon now, why am i on first name terms anyway?) has a lot to do with the overhauling of this area.

Stardock aims for a different audience compared with other studios, and Brad has a clear idea on what kinds of projects he wants to make. I'll be lending my experience to that cause, and in the end, hopefully we end up with better games.

Amen!

Have a good start at Stardock, Jon!

Might I inject that Jon loves the WRONG wargame.  No, no, not Panzer General.  That thing is so outdated (at the least love Fantasy General--I mean come on, this is Elemental).  Let me introduce you to the greatest Civ game ever:  Rise of Nations:Thrones & Patriots.  Yes.  Trumpet blast.  Confetti.  And I'm wearing a cup, you all, so don't even think about kicking me in the balls.

Awesome news, welcome onboard Jon! Hope you succeed in assisting to make Elemental an Epic game!

Those are two different award categories in a game.  For the former I think more in terms of the C&C series.  I mean look at that GDI chick in the cutscenes.     Oh and the Allied chick in RA2.  But not Tanya--she's overrated.  I also love those Shadow Maidens in HOMMV.  Wowie!     I especially love the way they die.

Talk about your hard core gamer....

Jon,

I hope working for Stardock will be fun and rewarding. People complaining about Civ 5 don't understand How a Large Corporation can Micro-manage a development team in such a way as to meet their Corporate agenda which is not what the consumer expects.

I too have worked for a Developer (Non-Entertainment) that got bought out by a larger Corporation (S**) and changed our Products from Customer Centric to something Customers considered a Product Suite going for A+ to C. Don't blame the Dev. they're only doing what there bosses demand.

They made RA3 for you then, its all boobs and bears

Ah.  There's Jon's mistake.  Jon, in Civ IV, you had all the wrong Great People.   Your Great People should have been Pamela Anderson, Cindy Margolis, Cindy Crawford, etc..  And they're all Great Merchants.  All of them.  Don't ask me what they're selling.