Frustrated as I am with bits surrounding the core game, I have faith in
1. Stardock's reputation - more specifically, the blow to that rep should Demigod be left to die in a corner. No, SD didn't make the game, but they have integrity tied up in it, and they do have leverage over GPG in the form of
2. The Almighty Contract - A year of post-release support, including but not limited to two new Demigods. GPG is contractually bound to deliver, and it's in their best interests, considering the blame they placed on publishers for previous patchy support won't stick this time.
I imagine we will see some of the missing factors around the game - team automatch, clan support, mod support - by October, and our two new DGs around January. By next April they can offer an expansion pack which updates many of the balance elements the same way FA did for Supcom - though hopefully they know enough at this point not to splinter the community the same way..
The completely FUBAR launch nipped anything more ambitious in the bud, I have to think, and that, unfortunately, isn't something we can blame GPG for.
