Stardock and the Galactic Civilizations 2 business model

fatty · 11-09-07, 11:19 AM

What a success story for these guys. For those who don't know, this tiny company developed and published a very good, very niche game (4x turn-based strategy set in space) with no copy protection at all (the catch is that you must register your game copy to download any updates). They have sold over 50,000 retail units - at one point being the highest selling PC game at Wal-Mart - as well as putting out an expansion pack with another due out next month. Yes, the game has been cracked and pirated, but it hasn't stopped it from being a runaway success for Stardock.

It has renewed my faith in the future of PC gaming: even if you have the most unusual idea, if you can put out a quality product, keep your finger on the pulse of the community (the head developer routinely participates in community forum discussions), and follow your idea through with good support to keep it fresh, you can succeed.

NefariousKoel · 11-09-07, 12:50 PM

Yep, I bought it.

I was a bit iffy at first but in the end, I'm happy I did. Not because I play it a lot ,because I don't, but because there was no pain in the @ss copy protection to worry about screwing that or my pc up. Worry free.

11-09-07, 11:19 AM	#1
fatty The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,448 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Stardock and the Galactic Civilizations 2 business model What a success story for these guys. For those who don't know, this tiny company developed and published a very good, very niche game (4x turn-based strategy set in space) with no copy protection at all (the catch is that you must register your game copy to download any updates). They have sold over 50,000 retail units - at one point being the highest selling PC game at Wal-Mart - as well as putting out an expansion pack with another due out next month. Yes, the game has been cracked and pirated, but it hasn't stopped it from being a runaway success for Stardock. It has renewed my faith in the future of PC gaming: even if you have the most unusual idea, if you can put out a quality product, keep your finger on the pulse of the community (the head developer routinely participates in community forum discussions), and follow your idea through with good support to keep it fresh, you can succeed.

11-09-07, 12:50 PM	#2
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Yep, I bought it. I was a bit iffy at first but in the end, I'm happy I did. Not because I play it a lot ,because I don't, but because there was no pain in the @ss copy protection to worry about screwing that or my pc up. Worry free. __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey