This was not one of those situations though. Every reddit thread talking about this game has a ton of people who were playing at the time or after launch and all saying that it’s just a poorly done game.
I got it when it came out and tbh… it’s just not very good. I think a big reason games in the indie world become well sold is because of positive word of mouth (Balatro, slay the spire, vampire survivors etc) and this one was just… not good. I wouldnt recommend it personally. Source
That whole thread is filled with people talking about the state of the game before launch of 1.0 as well as the launch. Also some very good points about the weakness of their financial choices if they ended up broke at the launch of 1.0.
I would agree if not for this. This is a list of all of the things that they promised in early access that they would add to the full game. Guess how many of these things are there?
How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version? Here is the list of the features that we still need to implement:
Themed dungeons | Biomes: post-hell | Biomes: sky | Technology | Vehicles & Mechs Grapple hook / ninja rope | Modding compatibility | God Saucer (minigames area) Tower of 100 challenges | Themed parallel dimensions | Fluid dynamics Biomes: oceans | Fishing | Programmable robots | Wiring | Pipes | Thunder Fire (buildings can catch on fire etc.) | Achievements / Game encyclopedia / Compendium Temperature | Gas dynamics | Dynamic buildings (build your ship)
I have no doubt that this bug played a part in their sales… However… The game was in early access for a decade before it actually released in 1.0. This was the 1.0 change log:
Changelog 1.0.0 - 12 december 2024
Adds:
Guidance system: uses the completion tree to display objectives and help the player to progress. The guidance system can be disabled in Game options.
Option to change the direction only when moving with the keyboard (player is not facing automatically the mouse)
Changes:
Quests and dialogs with the crystal have been removed and replaced by the guidance system
Worm transformation is always visible
Various bugs fixed
So to be honest, I’m not entirely sure that that launch was much of a launch to begin with… While the bug definitely had a part to play, I’m not sure this would have sold anything in the first place. It’s a terraria clone that was dragged through early access for a decade before launching in a way that doesn’t actually feel like a launch.
I have no doubt that this bug played a part in their sales… However… The game was in early access for a decade before it actually released in 1.0. This was the 1.0 change log:
Changelog 1.0.0 - 12 december 2024
Adds:
Guidance system: uses the completion tree to display objectives and help the player to progress. The guidance system can be disabled in Game options.
Option to change the direction only when moving with the keyboard (player is not facing automatically the mouse)
Changes:
Quests and dialogs with the crystal have been removed and replaced by the guidance system
Worm transformation is always visible
Various bugs fixed
So to be honest, I’m not entirely sure that that launch was much of a launch to begin with… While the bug definitely had a part to play, I’m not sure this would have sold anything in the first place. It’s a terraria clone that was dragged through early access for a decade before launching in a way that doesn’t actually feel like a launch.
That’s my logic behind it anyway. If I see something that is supposed to be a first look but it’s HYPER polished I get really wary. Makes me think that this one section of the game was hella focused on enough for the representation but I start wondering about whether the rest of the game got the same attention. If a game demo actually has errors and bugs and fuck ups then it shows to me that they’re working on it across the board. They’re not heavily focusing on this specific demo or anything and willing to show the faults that you should see looking at a first look. I guess it just boils down to honesty for me. If the demo is hyper polished then it feels dishonest. If it’s rough around the edges then it feels more real and genuine.
Besides, these are the same people who made the Hitman series for decades and the WOA trilogy which is a powerhouse of gaming for me. Taking on my #2 hyperfixation, right behind Star Trek? They’re probably the only dev that I instantly trusted to do a good job or at least try their best.
Nah, I appreciated that. It’s a first look at what’s going on. It not being polished makes me trust them way more as a developer than if everything looked absolutely perfect. I’m EXTREMELY hyped
I’m not sure what you’re talking about when it comes to VR. They never stopped supporting VR… Like at all. Odyssey also has full VR support and has since launch. I am genuinely confused as to why you think that
Public nicknames, passwords and emails that could be fished from public dumps and retried, public crew names… Where’s the private and where is the a lot?
Also you’re not even paying attention. You called someone Aaron well after they’ve left the conversation.
Yeah I wouldn’t have let you in either with that hostility and level of vaguery
Why? The only thing you lose is the effort to click a button. And as for a lot of unplayed games… Welcome to being a steam user, friend <3 Might as well embrace it