What is Stardock's road map for the future?

Will PC customizing continued to be supported?

from WinCustomize Forums

I've only been using the customizing software of Stardock for a few years, not as a skinner but as a user.  In this short time you can see the emphasis of support swing from customizing to games.  Maybe games were always the emphasis of Stardock, I don't know.

Now this is not meant as a 'Lets flame the gamers' or 'Lets flame the customizers' thread.  I'm really interested in learning what is the current and future plans of Stardock in supporting both gamers and customizers.  Heck, there may be things in the future for Stardock that the community isn't even aware of.

I'm not a 'youngster' and understand that change is the only constant in the universe.  I'm also not here to 'Whine' and say things like 'You promised an upgrade'.

The one observation that I have made in the short time here is that Gaming was here before and won't go away if Stardock changes it emphasis.  On the other hand, and this probably will get some discussion going, before Stardock there really wasn't PC customizing, especially in the way their software doesn't mess with the OS.  If emphasis goes away from customizing software and programs at Stardock I beleive that the community will cease and go away.  Yes there are other programs but for some reason I don't see them filling the void that would be left.

I've been known to be wrong lots of times in my life, sure hope that this is one of them.

So what's your thoughts here community?  I'm not looking to tell Stardock what they should or shouldn't do, that's up to them and thier business plan.  I'm just a subscriber to things like ObjectDesktop Ultimate and WinCustomize and would like to know where things are heading in the future.

I hope I haven't offended anyone, but if I have I apoligize. :sun:

 

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2,889 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good question.  My guess from what I see is they will continue to do both but will lean more heavyly onto the game side.  Just my guess.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think WOM's thoughts/feelings are pretty much correct. Everything that's been posted about it has leaned that way. "It's just business" as Don Corleone used to say.

I don't think skinners are gonna quit, nor are gamers. Just as water seeks it's level, the communities will as well.

Hope we all can coexist, since each community has something to offer.

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 2
I think WOM's thoughts/feelings are pretty much correct. Everything that's been posted about it has leaned that way. "It's just business" as Don Corleone used to say.

I don't think skinners are gonna quit, nor are gamers. Just as water seeks it's level, the communities will as well.

Hope we all can coexist, since each community has something to offer.
End of DrJBHL's quote

I too hope that both communities can not only coexist but also be supported. :S

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Games make many money but it's hard survive in the world of videogames...in the skinning world you are one of the leaders and i think that is not a good idea abandon this way :-)

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Sc4rfy, reply 4
Games make many money but it's hard survive in the world of videogames...in the skinning world you are one of the leaders and i think that is not a good idea abandon this way
End of Sc4rfy's quote

We won't be abandoned,  Sc4rfy..... Maybe some history...Brad was a skinner, originally. Besides, so much time, effort and money has been invested in SD skinning software that it really wouldn't make sense to abandon it.

So, "Don't worry, be happy!".

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 5



Quoting Sc4rfy,
reply 4
Games make many money but it's hard survive in the world of videogames...in the skinning world you are one of the leaders and i think that is not a good idea abandon this way



We won't be abandoned,  Sc4rfy..... Maybe some history...Brad was a skinner, originally. Besides, so much time, effort and money has been invested in SD skinning software that it really wouldn't make sense to abandon it.

So, "Don't worry, be happy!".
End of DrJBHL's quote

I could be wrong but i though Brad started writing a game.  Not sure if that was before or after OS-2 stuff.

The fact that some folks (two so far) are unsure of where customizing is going in the furture may mean more discussion, conversation and exchange needs to be had.  Just thinking out loud here. 

DrJBH, lots of businesses have abandoned a business plan no matter what amount of money has been invested.  Now, do I think it will happen with Stardock and thier customizing software, no.  But then I never like looking at the downside of things.  :-"

 

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think both can coexist. With newer versions of windows providing users already with too much of eye-candy, it would become very competitive. But let's keep faith in SD developers that they won't let skinning to die. And hope SD will be able to offer extra value with future versions of OD too. Future of skinning depends on future versions of OD. Will it be able to provide that 'extra' which it has been offering in last two decades.

Gaming can make lots of money and its not a bad idea to invest in it. As it's business which rules.

We need not to worry because there will always be people who would like to design their desktops with their own taste.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The skinning apps are a steady source of users (and revenue  ;)).  The games are more transient (but less so for Stardock than other game developers/publishers).

*MY* bets are on the fact that Stardock will continue to succeed in both areas.  :thumbsup:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Appreciate your insight Zubaz, but other then your personal feelings do you have any thing that you could pass on?  Don't answer that, if you had personal knowledge you wouldn't be able to pass it on.  A very unfair question to ask.  Sorry.

I'm such a 'Bad Boy'. :-" :rofl:

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Appreciate your insight Zubaz, but other then your personal feelings do you have any thing that you could pass on?
End of quote
Let's jsut say that *someone* was hired for a brand new postition on January 4th to be "Manager of Consumer Software" and that since that time many of the lesser-loved apps have been getting regular updates while much attention has been applied to the flagship apps.

Can you dig it?  |-)

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You are such sly litlle devil. :O :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My money's with the Masked Striped Marvel. 

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Games and customizing software have always been the two strings to Stardock's bow.  It's more a case of site/forum structural changes that has the two worlds intersecting more....not so much of the two white mice in HHGTTG anymore....;)

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 13
Games and customizing software have always been the two strings to Stardock's bow.  It's more a case of site/forum structural changes that has the two worlds intersecting more....not so much of the two white mice in HHGTTG anymore....
End of Jafo's quote

Jafo, I liked that movie and the BBC TV version but somehow I'm not sure that a lot of folks understood it. :-"

Quoting Zubaz, reply 10

Appreciate your insight Zubaz, but other then your personal feelings do you have any thing that you could pass on? Let's jsut say that *someone* was hired for a brand new postition on January 4th to be "Manager of Consumer Software" and that since that time many of the lesser-loved apps have been getting regular updates while much attention has been applied to the flagship apps.


Can you dig it? 
End of Zubaz's quote

Can I just say, 'opportunity missed', a new Impulse Weekly just came out, looked all through it for some mention about or by you Zubaz. :S