I miss Impulse. I really do. I also think that it would have wiped out Stardock’s games unit if it had gone on for another year. Profit is something all businesses strive for – within reason. The problem is, profit can become such an overwhelming motivating factor that it can warp all other considerations. Was Stardock making games in order to make cool games or what it making games to enhance the installed base of Impulse? By the end of 2010, it was starting to get blurry.
Now, we live in a world where we still keep an eye on the bottom line but it is a much more abstract, long-term concept. I don’t have to care about the profitability of Fallen Enchantress, for example. It would be great if it makes a ton of money. But our primary objective for it will be to be seen as the #1 PC strategy game of the current age. And we’re willing to do what it takes, even if it doesn’t make short-term business sense, to make that happen.
Moreover, I’ve forbidden any PR on it. I’ve been nixxing interviews and preview shots being sent out. ONLY when the beta goes out does the press or anyone get stuff. Because, and I shouldn’t say this, but many members of the press are friends of mine and they have great integrity and it’s important that tends of thousands of users, who have the beta in hand, will be in a position to back up the early previews that yes, Fallen Enchantress delivers the goods.
Let me put it another way, in 2012, if you want to play a modern PC, turn-based fantasy strategy game. Fallen Enchantress better be the #1 choice, by far, or we failed.
