Why?  Wasn't the plan to do as many possible stages of the beta until the game was not only feature complete but also bug free???  There are people reporting the same bugs since beta one and some complaining about having issues since E:WoM.  Did something change?

Having more people in the beta is a good thing.

I'm wondering how hard that release date on Steam is- because this game isn't a month away from being releasable IMO- needs at least 2, maybe 3.

Edit: saw another post that said date wasn't hard, so nevermind.

Still think that October date is too optimistic- you've got a bit more balancing and a good bit more polishing/fixing to do.

Absolutely.  The more the merrier.  Lots of different configs with unique problems that can be addressed.  I am asking about the release date of October 16th.  I hope that gets pushed back and back to address some issues.  I want E:FE to scratch the itch that E:WoM didn't/couldn't.

Don't get me wrong, the game is much better than E:WoM was, but there are still plenty of issues that need to be addressed..

I am excited and worried about what the steam users will think about the game. At least they can't call it short!

I'd have to say that I share this concern.  I think the Steam users, on balance, may well be a less reasonable group of people.  They may have unreasonable expectations, regarding a Beta product, for example. 

Another problem may be that a much larger percentage of them won't be hard-core 4x game-players -- in which case they may be un-used to 4X gameplay conventions, and the degree of difficulty of the game.  

With each passing year, it seems, InterNet users expect to use their brains less ... and not have to make any investment in  learning  how to do something, even playing a game ...

Shoot, now I am starting to sound like a fatalist ...         

Endless Space had a large number of intelligent Steam users. It also proved that there is a market for TBS games, at least in space. I am worried though because they also expected the Alpha for Endless Space to play like a finished product. It hasn't been that long since FE went to Steam, but I wonder how people will even find it since there is no advertising on the main page. I also don't think the forum for the game is up yet. Once it is, I would appreciate a link. 

At the end of the day, someone who hates FE now will hate it when it's released.

I think the more eyes on your product concept is a good thing, It might cause some developers to revisit the 4X genre. I am just concerned about how the game moving to Steam effects the EWOM beta entrants. The Game Stop move really had me spooked that I was going to be double billed to use a product I already purchased. Seems to be going smoothly but what happens when my next reinstall comes? Stardock, Gamestop or Steam . Can I use my EWOM Serial Code and get back to Fallen Enchantress or am I forced to buy it again?? Lots of questions, any answers ??   

I can't see Steam players having a bad reaction to what is clearly labeled as pre-release beta builds.  Besides, the game is already enjoyable.  Prior to this announcement, it was already the case that anyone who pre-ordered got access.  This is nothing new, just another route for pre-ordering.

This confuses me a bit.  Your serials work directly with us and we're essentially the oldest independent game studio out there. We're not going anywhere.

Well, I know a few steam players including myself can't have any sort of reaction to the game itself cuz we can't launch it.  It gives a server error and closes the game.  I imagine it's probably something on Steam's end, so I'll just wait patiently.

I'm eligible for a $10 discount on FE.  How would I go about getting a Steam redeemable key with the discount applied?

What lordcooper said.

Sorry but where did you get this idea from? I've put around 200 hours into Civ5, I bought Endless Space and beta-ed that and got the retail when they launched it too. Bought Sins and Gal Civ2 soon stardock had them up. Also play Crusader Kings 2 and wanted more than anything for FE to be on Steam.

If they aren't hardcore 4x players they aren't going to buy the game. Steam doesn't magically install Call of Duty and force you to play it.