How Demigod's Networking Problems Were Fixed

The launch of Demigod was troubled by piracy and networking difficulties, which publisher Stardock worked quickly to correct. They've now released a documentary that gives a detailed look behind the scenes of diagnosing and fixing those problems. It includes meetings, interviews with the devs, and part of the bug-tracking process during a frenzied 108-hour work week.

Comments

Nice summary

[Jurily]

Am I supposed to watch half an hour of videos before they tell me what they actually did?

Couldn't you just, you know, summarize it for us?

poor management

[timmarhy]

the ineptitude of their management can be seen in the 108 hour week. anything over a 12 hour day is wasted, and you NEED 1 day off a week minimum to recharge the batteries, otherwise you just find ways to waste time on the job.

i've been there, i'm working 50 - 60 hour weeks and i achieve more now than i did in 90 hour weeks.

Re:poor management

[SeeManRun]

I just watched the entire video, and have no problem with what they did. Working in a game company, and any software company really, you learn that there is no substitute for real users. Once you get thousands of users online doing no deterministic things, your architecture crumbles. These guys did whatever they could to fix it, and for that I commend them. Hell, I was tempted to email the CEO and ask for a job until I learned they are in MI. I am very impressed with their efforts and the fact they documented it as evidence for their fans.

Re:Professional Game Studio?

[TheTurtlesMoves]

When a game has problems and they don't publish details everyone bemoans that fact that they are so closed about it. "Just be up front and honest about it, we understand there can be problems..." everyone says. Then when some does that everyone starts crying out " Cheap bastards are just trying to get free advertising... ".