Anyone who actually participated in original Elemental alpha/beta should remember memory issue / crash is just one of major issues the game had. I would say the memory issue was not even a priority issue at all.
Game features were simply non-functional from the first place, even before we are talking about the memory issues and crashes. Like, basic things such as auto-save (yes, this is still broken and still un-fixed nor recognized as bug, to this date). Basic pathfinding did not exist, nevermind about AI in general.
The fact is that even if you guys had zero problems with memory issues and had absolutely no crashes, there was no way the game was ship-able condition.
Yes, like, every single person in tester forum told you guys to NOT release the game, because the game was not even functional in purely gameplay perspective, not just technical perspective. But you guys released the game anyway. And we are here. And based on comments at Ars, It is not just me who remembers what actually happened to Elemental.
And unlike what you said, Brad, at that time, we already suffered similar issue with previous game. Remember Demigod? I still remember you permanently banned one forum member and revoked his game license because he cried too much about the multiplayer was unplayable and broken. Yes, that crazy multiplayer system made by Stardock that was never fully functional til very end.
The end result? Gas Powered Game is no more, and Chris is now making pots in his home. Such a fitting end for a man who made Total Annihilation....
....not.
That said, the last game I ever bought from you guys was Galciv 3, and I still have no intention to spend further money to your company. MAYBE, MAYBE I make exception for Sins of Solar Empire 2 if it ever comes out, but that's it.
At least, the iron dragon figure what was included in Elemental Collector's Edition is cute, thus it is still on my desk, for more than a decade, reminding me of one unfulfilled game I liked.
