Grr. Need a Founders program » Forum Post by Frogboy

Borg999

Join Date 02/2006

+59

Almost 13 hours since the thread was started, and so far no replies....

Should I post something controversial to get it jumpstarted?

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I like the extra benefits from getting in early and I love early access. Being able to play it and help shape it are key for me.

I also like the cool badge

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Regarding GalCiv - any news on how the battles will be solved in future? Is there any plan to have tactical battles?

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Illauna

Join Date 09/2006

+78

I like the founders vault the most. I like to look at concept art and design documents. Maybe include more draw ups showing what was scrapped and why it doesn't work. Also, considering Stardock's reputation and that I buy most of my games at release I'm sure I'll be looking at a cost savings to get all the expacs and DLC free.

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abob101

Join Date 11/2010

+49

I know this doesn't help with your question but I signed up to just to give my support for Stardock, because I think LH is such a great game. I like Galciv, but I *really* like LH. I figured i'd just show my support for a company that makes great games. Haven't looked at any of the Galciv 3 stuff yet.

So that's me.

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Dick pics.

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Heavenfall

Join Date 07/2008

+441

I like WIP / prototype screenshots. Just in-between a drawing board and a teaser.

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BlackSmokeDMax

Join Date 03/2006

+60

Really like the alpha access being included in the founders. I also "REALLY" like the exceptional deal we get as well. Not sure how well that would work with a new IP though. It's much easier to say yes to something like the founders program when it is for a known commodity, meaning when you are seeing GalCiv3 you are fairly sure of what to expect.

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Also, stop teasing Frog.

More announcements, less tease.

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I like the early access to the game. It isn't "fun", just as promised, but it is very interesting to see the stages. I don't have the mindset to do the same critiques you are getting from GalCiv3 forums, but I pipe in now and then. That makes me feel like part of the creation, which is subtle but significant.

I really couldn't resist the lifetime bundle for GalCiv3. That was probably the biggest attraction. Naming a star was actually a big attraction but became an issue. I am still psyched about the lifetime package. Make sure you create a whole bunch of DLC and expansions so I really get my money's worth, please.

I enjoy the founder's vault and the developer's streams. All of that gives me a glimpse of the inner works, harkens back to when I did maze programs on a Kaypro. I really want to see a developer going the process of eliminating a troublesome bug. That would be a moment I could seriously sympathize with. I am not sure I would do it again, at least not for the Alpha portions. But for this one, it has been real fun not having fun. (The newly released shipyard is starting to break the promise of "no fun" though. You need to be careful about that.)

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peregrine23

Join Date 02/2007

+79

My favorite thing about being a GalCiv III founder is feeling like I get to see the process of development and have some small input in direction. GalCiv II is one of my favorite games of all time, and so far III just seems to be a better version of it, which makes me super happy. There are very few developers that do a better job of communicating with their community (RIOT is the only other one I've seen that even comes close) and that really helps to forge a solid, devoted fan-base.

I'm also one of those that bought Elemental on the first day and have played it through the various stages of development. That has also been a little like playing through a beta, and although it was frustrating at times, it was always interesting and Legendary Heroes turned out to be very good game.

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Being a Founder Elite hasn't really meant much for me. I signed on board for GalCivIII just to show my support, and the future DLC at no cost. I've fired up the alpha once or twice, but I'm not too big on playing alphas, nor betas for that matter. There are so many more people much better at the game and understand it's mechanics to a depth that I don't, so I don't bother making suggestions either cuz I'd either be laughed at or flamed tremendously. So what do I like best about it? I can support the company and the game development without drawing too much attention to my gaming deficiencies.

+1

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I'm a vane bastard. I've been tempted to sign up to the GalCiv3 just so I can have a star named after me. I'm just not sure I want GalCiv yet, which is why I havnt actually done it.

So yeah, the ability to name an npc, put a name into the random hero name generator (or ship or something) etc really gets me excited. I realize you cant allow 10,000 people to name heroes, but allowing say, some sort of top elite founder to create and name an in game npc, or name one of the actual spells, well thats freaking awesome. Mystarla's Artic Blast, hell yeah.

But thats me, i'm shallow like that.

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So far, my favorite aspects have been the future concepts in the vault, and the fact you offered a "buy everything at once" option.

When 2019 or 2020 hits and you're thinking about another fantasy game, I hope that I can afford it, and I also hope you do the same thing for that as well.

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I chose the founders program for two reasons. First, SD did right by us in how Froggy CEO chose to deal with the original Elemental (the game that is not to be named) fiasco. I chose to honor that quality decision by backing SD. Two, knowing GalCiv3 will be a great adventure, the 'lifetime subscription' to all its extensions, DLC, etc. seemed a prudent financial choice.

Now, about my suggestions about GalCiv3:

I have played the beta from time to time, and given feedback. I've also made a number of suggestions. However, SD has some significant boundaries in the game design area. When Elemental was being redesigned, I posted several sets of ways I would like to see combat done. I have no idea if anyone at SD actually read them. So, I'm not terribly motivated to extend myself again. For example, In the thread about 'whats wrong with fantasy 4x games,' I was really impressed with one post that suggested that all the AI players don't have to be balanced with the user. I strongly agree. I made the same suggestion, as have others, a number of times. Response: silence. Even a very brief, "read this" response from SD would make a difference when someone puts a great deal of thought and effort into a proposal.

In response to that thread, I actually sat down, and put together a proposal for a way to use the FE/LH engine in a non-symmetrical manner to create an interesting gaming environment. And the AI could be really devious because it would not have to be trying to compete with the user in all the areas of game play, rather each AI would be more focused. Then I recalled how my last two serious proposal were received. Why bother? SD has the game design and vision mostly established before it gets to us, even in beta format. So,SD, go with it. You make good games!

And I don't really think there is much interest in the fan base doing anything except fine tuning what SD has made. Now if this sounds like I'm annoyed at feeling both proposals I wrote were ignored, you would be correct. SD has no obligation to listen. Now I will shut up.

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I like the ideal of paying once and getting everything for a game I know I will play a lot (been playing GC2 on and off for years). Stardock is far from perfect but, they tend to fix things eventually if they break them. So, the risk is pretty low. It will be a great game. If not, they will work on it until it is.

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