I've posted the following in the plantets thread that kind of got out of hand (thus the comments about it) . I had not seen this thread before, and it seems more apropriate here:
It is clear how forum threads can quickly degenerate, and I certainly can understand that Frogboy might have taken some of the comments personnaly, or even as aggressions.
I have not yet installed 1.8, I'm waiting to finish a game then I'll get it.
I think it is a pity (but understandable) that Frogboy reacted the way he did but some of the posts were really arrogant and flaming. But I don't blame Frogboy: I've been here since march 2003, just before galciv release, and I must say, I've never had a problem or reason to be disatisfied with this company.
I think most of the problem in that thread is due to the fact that many people don't realise that all these updates are a curtasy of stardock. This was thouroughly explained before (in galciv days), for the "oldtimers" in here. But some of the posters that came to the game later on, they seem to see the updates just as patches, which most of the time they are not: they constantly renew the game, not just correct bugs.
And everyone (or almost) should agree that most games out there get one or two patches and then that's it. And they just correct bugs. Here there are lots of stuff added, for which stardock is not paid, since you already paid for the game. Although it might have needed a patch or two out of the box (i'm not saying it is tha case, I don't remember, so my guess is not) all that has come since then was a bonus. People should realise that. And have some patience and moderation when criticizing: specially since they can go back to an earlier version until the problem is corrected.
Finally, people posting these critics should be aware that Frogboy comes here and takes the time to read the forums. How many other companies do that? And to reply. How many do THAT ? And he even takes into account the comments people make.
The corolary of that is that well, people's comments and critics and some times attacks go straight to the CEO ears, not some low level costumer service employee in charge of the forums. And while driving that person mad may have no consequences (although being a bad thing to do), driving the CEO of the company mad can have serious consequences for all the community. Having him here is a privilege for all of us, and we should see it as such.
So I do hope Brad's reaction was just a normal venting, brought about by the tone of some of the posts here. As someone said someday/somewhere, you shouldn't take it personnaly, the problem being that when you are telling yourself that, it usually means you already took it very much personnaly...
Last word to say, like many others here have said already, that stardock service has no equal that I know of. A few people who attacks it without knowing it shouldn't be considered as representative of the community, even thought they do like to speak as if they were doing it for all of us ; which they don't.
It is my first post in a very long time, but I felt the need to distanciate myself from some of the posts and also, let stardock know that I believe many people would agree with me. Specially those who have been here the longest.
Take Care People.
GalCiv2 Forums
). Your continued support and tweaking of the game really helps keep me playing it after all this time. Thanks to you each time i play the game these days i feel like its the first time all over again and its this feeling that has kept me hooked and made me rush over and pre-order TotA. Please keep up the good work and remember there are those of us out here who genuinely are grateful for every update you do regardless of glitches etc!