I do remember Stardock did promise the price wouldn't go below the discounted founder's prices, but it did.  That's bad ... its common in business, unfortunately ... but nonetheless, to use a proper technical term, it /sucks./

However, I should also point out the $100 elite founder package isn't entirely undercut by this, as what they are offering now doesn't have what the Elite founder's package has -- elite founders will get all DLC and all future expansions for no extra cost.  I am not crazy about the DLC thing ... I keep checking to see if/when all DLC for a game I bought gets bundled so it isn't five DLCs at $5-$10 each but all together cost under $10 and maybe t hen I'll consider it, if any of the DLC seems like it might actually add something to a gameplay beyond cosmetic (anyone else notice how game graphics wow you in their teaser, before and up to launch, but over time seem clunkier and less impressive as we get used to them, they lose a 'wow' factor, and it doesn't help new games come to market in the meanwhile that have fancier engines?).

Not really, for me.  I know that marketeers depend on that aggregate behavior, but whether it happens to any one individual seems to depend on attention span or something similar.  I think the more-now-more-faster habit is a good way to drain off all your money for a basically insatiable appetite.  I'd rather get addicted to one or two steady versions of digital crack than keep on chasing the latest peak high.  Obviously, different people have different reactions on these issues.  Good luck with yours!

Link? I have not seen any statement from Stardock that the game will not go on sale before it is released.

It was in email and on the website front page asying it would not go below $45.

Thats why i picked it up so early, try it out and no issues waiting out for a sale.....

Hence my frustrations. Offworld trading company looks great....but guess what SD...your not getting my money after the flipant bait n switch on the "sale" price.

This was after the founders packs mate.

And it was clear as day.....hence why more than one person is saying it.

Unfortunately I cleaned my inbox and no longer have the promo emails was around 24/08/2014 if you want to get specific

Linking to a store page that changed completly after the enabling of early access is totally proof that it has always been so. It also is proof that there never was a $100 founder edition, because it is not there and thus never has been. Right?!

If you have anything to back your claim post it.

Also Whindog posted "This was after the founders packs mate."

Quoting Rhonin_the_wizard,

reply 38

Quoting OsirisDawn,

reply 36

Quoting Rhonin_the_wizard,

reply 35

Look at this page, and scroll down.

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?
"Galactic Civilizations III may be part of promotions both during the Early Access period and after, but the base price will remain $49.99."

You still haven't provided one iota of proof to back your claims.

Linking to a store page that changed completly after the enabling of early access is totally proof that it has always been so. It also is proof that there never was a $100 founder edition, because it is not there and thus never has been. Right?!

If you have anything to back your claim post it.

Also Whindog posted "This was after the founders packs mate."

The founder packs were $99 and $39.99.

The $45 'never going lower' promo (as many understood) came shortly before EA was anounced IIRC. I dont know if it ranked as a founder pack.

Do you even read? I already said i dont have that mail anymore ... i deleted it, because i already was a founder. If i have the time i might check my backups ... but i dont think i am invested enough in this to do that. I trust in my memory enough.

Also i trust Stardock. If they post something like "No, we never said that!" I will shrug, apologize for spamming the forum and move on.

The Basic Founder's Pack was discontinued on 2 March 2014. 26 March 2014 game went into Early Access, only the $99 Elite Founder's Edition remained available for sale. 12 August 2014 Elite Founder's Edition is discontinued, Beta version is soon released and the discounted $45 base game is the only thing available for purchase, it was not considered a Founder version.

I read Stardock's emails too, and never did they state that the game may not be a part of a sale.

Also this was posted by IslandDog on the Steam forums.

[quote=IslandDog;617329505860553966]

[quote=Skukkuk;617329505859901306]I do not have a problem with buying founders edition, but they pledged officialy that such 'sale' on 50% will not happen before game is officialy released.. [/quote]

Link? [/quote]

WEll then it was on the store page...

At this point I find it pretty bad Frgo has stayed super quite....I know why I got it as early as I did, bc there was that price never going lower guarantee. The $45 steam package was not considered a founders pack. So many ppl wouldnt be saying it if there was no validity too it. I know, as its the only reason i picked it up as early as I did. 

Rather than say nothing and piss a lot of ppl off, why not come out and just own it. Yes we did say taht but a massive oppotunity with steam came along and we went with it for all the obvious reasons.....

AAt least it acknowledges it and gives reasons for it....i know why they did it its great for the business. But the fact they stay quite and let customers rage when there is an easy way to calm it all down is just silly. 

Yes im pissed that I could have easily waited and saved some $$, but i understand if the original planed changed due to the steam opportunity. When you try and hide from it tho and say nothing, that gets me personally pissed off more. 

Hey Island Dog, please take my post with a spirit of conversation. I'm not angry and my world is not crashing down 

I never received an email stating the game would never go on sale. But I did I receive an email on 2/21/14 with the subject:

Last Chance for Discounted Galactic Civilizations III Pre-order

A few things -

I understood pre-order to mean being able to order prior to release. 

I also understand now that with the advent of Early Access "release" is a gray area.

I also understand that the offer was for the "Founder's Edition"

<----- This is the difference between Early Access and the "Founder's Edition" I bought - a $15 badge 

I realize you guys had to make a call as a company to go with the new wave of Steam Sales for Early Access games. I happened to be one of many who feels like I paid the price for a lesson you benefited from. Honestly, and I hate I have to say this, I've learned not to buy a pre-order from you no matter how many times you say last chance for a discount.

Also, I did email customer service about this and received a form response, and then no follow-up to my response to the form response.

So I get to argue the merits of my experience with those on this board, who by their actions, I know Stardock has brainwashed. 

For instance, I laugh at everyone who looked through their emails about this declaring Stardock innocent of all charges! I pieced together a long time ago that once I bought the game my email address went to a different marketing segment and future marketing offers for Gal Civ III went to others, but not me.

So that's my take on it. I played 6 hours of GalCiv III during the same weekend of the Steam sale. I didn't throw up in my mouth or anything - it was great!

I think discussed statement might be in this forum thread

https://forums.galciv3.com/458598

"We are not planning on pricing it any lower prior to release (at which point it'll rise to 49.99)."

Keyword here is "planning" and unfortunately plans can change... i bought GC3 for 45$ and thought it's lowest price until release too - apparently i misread this statement too.

Also, Kyro cannot read the mind of one frogboy and other stardock leadership.  As an employee, he was answering on behalf of his company as he understood it at the time.