Has DXV ever commented on why he chose Goko to make the official implementation? I feel like if he would have gone with a real company (i.e. EA Games) they would have offered him less money for the license but produced a much more solid game.
It's really disappointing that the game feels so luxe (extra randomizer cards, lots of tokens and playmats, quality box for storing cards) yet the app feels so cheap. It's like if instead of randomizer cards the game came with advertisements (or even worse - time-limited coupons) and instead of slots in the box, everything just jumbled together and if there were only 10 kingdom cards to start and all the graphics were crappy xeroxes but it was still the same price it would feel like the app.
Wasn't it RGG that made that decision?
Yes, it was. And from what I have read, Jay chose Goko because they promised cross-platform play that wasn't Farmville.
Correct on both counts.
I have a contract with RGG that lets RGG sub-license for an electronic version. That's the extent of my official involvement. MF does try not to piss me off, since maybe they have worked out that, worst case, I could cut them off by having a new contract with Jay that ruled them out. They have not done especially well on that front, I will cite Adventures not coming out in April as an example. Still my tolerance level is no doubt higher than yours, whoever you are.
When Jay was looking for people to do a money-making online version (having previously paid to have BSW up), there were a small number of interested parties. Funsockets had the better pitch: cross-platform, not Farmville (the runner-up wanted Farmville). Funsockets also wanted to do Farmville, but managed to pitch not-that.
Funsockets renamed themselves Goko; Goko died but wait didn't, while AFAIK all previous people are gone (e.g. "CEO" Ted), a "CEO" named Kate Connally remains in the loop; somehow now Making Fun has the job. I don't know if RGG even has a contract with them, or if it's sub-sub-licensed or what.
EA is the not example you were looking for DoomYoshi, as other people are noting.