06-05-2019, 05:40 AM
I strongly recommend addressing the core game mechanics prior to a steam release. With infinite money, infinite resources, and extremely easy technology progression, it's as if someone turned on 'dev mode' in Hazeron. While this is fine for a great number of players who just like to build things and explore, it is a huge turn off for players such as myself. Sandbox games which contain some elements to give a real sense of progressions and challenge such as Factorio, Kenshi, or Kerbal Space Program (in career mode) are some of my absolute favorite games to play. Games like universe simulator where the only possible goal is to tinker and explore fail to capture my interest in the long term. I highly doubt that I am alone in these sorts of preferences.
If people like the 'dev mode' style gameplay, I think that's great. I think it's perfect for the Neutral Zone. It however, runs contrary to a PvP experience and I don't think it's appropriate for the conflict zone. Real scarcity needs to be returned in some fashion to the game; without this, the player is hard pressed to set any goals beyond tinkering and exploring and there is no reason for conflict beyond griefing. Give us something to fight over if PvP is going to be a true element of this game.
Additionally, and this applies to both universes, the current technology system fails to provide a real sense of progression. Why would I care about lower warp numbers when I can easily reach maximum warp? Why would I care about varying wormhole drives if I can easily invent the best ones and slap them in my ships? All this complexity adds at the moment is potential for confusion, when it could be adding a progression system which creates goals which are easy for the player to interpret.
I don't purport to know the fix for any or all of these issues. I don't claim to be an expert on successful video game development nor marketing. However, I do see what to me are some really big red flags which could stand to be addressed prior to attempting large scale commercialization.
If people like the 'dev mode' style gameplay, I think that's great. I think it's perfect for the Neutral Zone. It however, runs contrary to a PvP experience and I don't think it's appropriate for the conflict zone. Real scarcity needs to be returned in some fashion to the game; without this, the player is hard pressed to set any goals beyond tinkering and exploring and there is no reason for conflict beyond griefing. Give us something to fight over if PvP is going to be a true element of this game.
Additionally, and this applies to both universes, the current technology system fails to provide a real sense of progression. Why would I care about lower warp numbers when I can easily reach maximum warp? Why would I care about varying wormhole drives if I can easily invent the best ones and slap them in my ships? All this complexity adds at the moment is potential for confusion, when it could be adding a progression system which creates goals which are easy for the player to interpret.
I don't purport to know the fix for any or all of these issues. I don't claim to be an expert on successful video game development nor marketing. However, I do see what to me are some really big red flags which could stand to be addressed prior to attempting large scale commercialization.