Stormgate's Steam early access launch has sparked a divided response among fans and backers. This article explores the concerns raised by Kickstarter backers and analyzes the game's current state.
Stormgate's Rocky Launch
Backer Discontent Over Monetization
The highly anticipated real-time strategy game, Stormgate – aiming to be a Starcraft II successor – has experienced a challenging debut. Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter (against a projected $35 million), the game faces criticism from backers who feel deceived. Those who pledged $60 for the "Ultimate" package anticipated complete early access content, a promise seemingly unfulfilled.
Many viewed Frost Giant Studios' project as passion-driven, contributing to its success. While advertised as free-to-play with microtransactions, the aggressive monetization strategy has alienated many backers.
Individual campaign chapters (three missions) cost $10, and co-op characters are priced identically – double Starcraft II's cost. Many backers, having invested $60 or more, expected full early access gameplay. The addition of a new character, Warz, on launch day, excluded from Kickstarter rewards, further fueled their frustration.
"You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer," commented Steam user Aztraeuz. "Many supported this game, investing hundreds of dollars. Why are there pre-launch microtransactions we don't own?"
Frost Giant Studios responded on Steam, acknowledging the misunderstanding regarding Kickstarter bundle content and thanking players for their support. They committed to providing the next paid Hero free to backers at the "Ultimate Founder’s Pack tier and above." However, this excludes Warz, citing prior purchases.
Despite this concession, dissatisfaction persists over the monetization and underlying gameplay issues.
Addressing Player Feedback Post-Launch
Stormgate carries significant expectations. Developed by Starcraft II veterans, it aimed to revive the genre's glory days. However, player experiences are mixed. While core RTS gameplay shows potential, criticism targets aggressive monetization, visual quality, missing campaign features, unit interactions, and unchallenging AI.
This has resulted in a "Mixed" Steam rating, with some labeling it "Starcraft II at home." Despite flaws, the game's potential for improvement in areas like story and visuals remains.
For a comprehensive review of Stormgate's Early Access, please see our full review.
