Stormgate's Early Access launch on Steam has sparked a heated debate among fans and backers. The real-time strategy game, aiming to be a Starcraft II successor, raised over $2.3 million on Kickstarter but faces significant criticism regarding its monetization.
Backers feeling misled
Many backers, particularly those who pledged $60 for the "Ultimate" bundle, expected complete early access content, a promise seemingly unfulfilled. The aggressive microtransaction model, including $10 per campaign chapter (or three missions) and $10 per co-op character, has angered those who invested heavily in the game's development. The addition of a new character, Warz, on launch day, excluded from Kickstarter rewards, further fueled the backlash. One Steam reviewer, Aztraeuz, summarized the sentiment: "You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer... Why are there pre-day 1 microtransactions that we don’t own?"
Frost Giant Studios' Response
In response to the negative feedback, Frost Giant Studios acknowledged the misunderstanding regarding the "Ultimate" bundle's content. They offered the next paid Hero for free to backers at the "Ultimate Founder’s Pack tier and above," but excluded the already-released Warz, citing prior purchases.
Ongoing Concerns
Despite this concession, concerns persist. Beyond the monetization strategy, players cite issues such as muddy visuals, incomplete campaign features, underwhelming unit interactions, and unchallenging AI. These issues have resulted in a "Mixed" Steam rating, with some labeling it a "Starcraft II at home" experience, highlighting both its potential and its current shortcomings. A full review delves deeper into these aspects.
