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Stardock being purchased?

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Stardock being purchased?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Came across this article in some Michigan newspaper that is pretty recent:


Wardell said Wayne County has been “very proactive” in addressing the problem, but his company is in discussions with a similar software firm on a possible acquisition deal in Redmond, Wash. — and Stardock may consider a move to share space in a building with that company when the negotiations are complete by late summer or early fall, if the Michigan tax issue isn't resolved to his satisfaction by then.


I am just assuming it is MS since Stardock has a relationship with them and they are in redmond I believe...is this true?  I hope it doesn't affect Stardock's policy on game  development (that is, no rushing out products early).

I don't have any dislike particularly against MS, but I do like Stardock having the final say on their game development like it has been so far.  I don't know how that would change if MS bought you guys (again, simply speculation on my part).

*Also, sorry for the double post.  Admin delete the previous one if you please.  I clicked submit once, but it posted a blank entry and this entry by itself*
132,000 views 53 replies
Reply #26 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think the acquisition probably has to do with Gas Powered Games....Brad has been pretty chummy with Chris Taylor lately and they are working together on Demigod. Hopefully after Demigod, they can take Supreme Commander to the next level.
Reply #27 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That would be pretty sweet. The next level would be like SC, but on the same scale as SoaSE.
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Reply #28 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think the acquisition probably has to do with Gas Powered Games....Brad has been pretty chummy with Chris Taylor lately and they are working together on Demigod. Hopefully after Demigod, they can take Supreme Commander to the next level.


Blech, no more RTS's please. 4X TBS games are SD's strength, I'd really prefer they stick to that arena as much as possible.
Reply #29 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That's it man, if Stardock is being purchased than I'll comit suicide.
Reply #30 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think the acquisition probably has to do with Gas Powered Games....Brad has been pretty chummy with Chris Taylor lately and they are working together on Demigod.


The *unsubstantiated rumor* probably comes from this. Calm down people, Frogboy is not about to sell his baby to anyone. He's a Michigander (correct terminology?) and wants to stay at home. If anything, this is a bargaining chip- a 'plan B' if you will. Worst case scenario; the bureaucratic dolts dig in their heels and Stardock moves to Redmond (the Haight-Ashbury of tech) and shares quarters with GPG.

@sethpenguin- Put down the gun, son. It's not worth it. You have your whole life ahead of you. I know that things look bleak now, but get a good night's rest and everything will look better in the morning. ;)
Reply #31 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well at least Stardock isn't being purchased by EA.
Reply #32 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

a 20 million dollar company paying annual taxes of 160,000 dollars is a drop in the bucket. well...what is the percentage of 160,000 dollars of 20 milllion dollars. It is like asking a millioniare to pay 8000 dollars in tax in a year.

Yes, if the $160k was your primary tax.  Most states don't have anything like this. This is $160K on TOP of Stardock's corporate taxes.

The state is making good on addressing this issue with us.   Michigan is simply a very high tax state relative to other states and is not well positioned to attract intellectual-property based businesses.

Reply #33 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, Stardock isn't for sale.
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Reply #34 from Stardock Forums Top
Also, Stardock isn't for sale.


Good to know. :)
Reply #35 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I believe i speak for many of us when i say....

Whew.....
:D
Reply #36 from Stardock Forums Top
Well at least Stardock isn't being purchased by EA.


Hey I worked for EA once upon a time! Ahem atleast SimCity 4 wasn't totally ruined... True Maxis still had complete control over the project and was EA's cash cow.

EA has it's place just like any other company. No one says small studios have to take their buyout offers. No one says people have to buy their branded sports titles. Obviously some people (even if the lowest common denominator) love EA titles to grow to be the biggest brand.

P.S. I've also lived in Michigan, UP. Nice place to get some skiing or snowmobiling in. If you love bars and drinking well...  ;) 
Reply #37 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ahem atleast SimCity 4 wasn't totally ruined...


Not until they handed the SimCity name to the Tilted Mill team. Ceasar IV and Children of the Nile are great games, but such concepts are not good for SimCity. I consider SimCity Societies to be a ruined game.

I seriously with EA would stop moving respected names to different teams.
Reply #38 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Society's sucked...your right about that one. So much potential too. :NOTSURE:
Reply #39 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Michigan is simply a very high tax state relative to other states and is not well positioned to attract intellectual-property based businesses.


Not to dis Brad's beloved Michigan, but it is known as one of the highest tax and least business friendly states in the U.S. Businesses have been leaving the state in droves, leading to its highest in the nation unemployment rate.

Reply #40 from Stardock Forums Top
Move on out to Redmond, I work there, I could be the annoying weird nerd guy who keeps trying to hang around and get free glimpses of products to come. I'll bring muffins!

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Reply #41 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Move on out to Redmond, I work there, I could be the annoying weird nerd guy who keeps trying to hang around and get free glimpses of products to come. I'll bring muffins!


Muffins, you say?
Reply #42 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I seriously with EA would stop moving respected names to different teams.


Indeed. This sort of behavior is a good example of why large, mature corporations are not always the miracles of modern commerce that they claim to be.

As a dev himself, I'm sure that Brad has a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the value of institutional knowledge for a dev team. A group that has worked for years on the same series is almost certain to do a better job with a new version than would an entirely new crew who've just been handed the branding book.
Reply #43 from Stardock Forums Top
Didn't EA cancel madden 09 for pc and say it's due to 'piracy'?

Yes, piracy is an issue. But considering 2 guys put together madden 08 for pc (which they would get back that money in the first 5,000 sales), and everyone hated the crappy ps2 port with no widescreen, maybe a different issue is there?

BTW, I wouldn't be too worried about EA buying anyone else for awhile. They've lost 100 million or more for each of the past 4 fiscal quarters.

They've lost close to a billion, or half a billion dollars in the past year alone. I've been watching it, it's fun to watch.
Reply #44 from Stardock Forums Top
They've lost close to a billion, or half a billion dollars in the past year alone. I've been watching it, it's fun to watch.
If you have been watching, wouldn't you have better numbers?
Reply #45 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If it is ever up for sale, gas powered games is a good company as far as I have seen.

But stardock is simply the most friendly game company I know of, I just wish I could buy shares in it. lol. :D
Reply #46 from Stardock Forums Top
Hmmm someone is pulling numbers out of their behind, anyway I never tried SimCity Societies. I was thinking about trying Spore but the game looks kind of kiddish if you know what I mean. Anyone try Spore yet?
Reply #47 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Anyone try Spore yet?


I would have, were it not for the stinkin' DRM wrapped around it. From what I've seen and read, the "kiddish" part should follow from the player, not the game mechanics. The Creature Creator is an open toolset, and you can make very scary and/or ugly things with it. You've probably just been seeing the cheery, marketing-ready stuff.
Reply #48 from Stardock Forums Top
Stardock, Move to Colorado, its a very tech company friendly state tax wise and is also one of the most beautiful states in the Union.

You would be very happy here.


Reply #49 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I thought profit for a company is defined after expenses and taxes are taken care of.


This is defined as PAT, or profit after tax, which is the amount you walk away with after all expenses including taxation have been deducted.


And Kryo is correct (cuz that never happens ;)) , there's tons of companies that use 1099 workers without it being some dirty underhanded thing like having an off-shore headquarters or something.
Reply #50 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Not to dis Brad's beloved Michigan, but it is known as one of the highest tax and least business friendly states in the U.S. Businesses have been leaving the state in droves, leading to its highest in the nation unemployment rate.


Lol try living in new york. And I'm not talking the city, I mean the whole actual state outside of it. (not long island either).