Talking with SGM content creators/former players (Episode 2)

[noconnection]

I got in talks with @ZeoW to talk about his recent hiatus and his thoughts on the update with Guest Stars

 

[Dusty00]

For those who don’t have time to listen to the entire video, here’s the TL;DR version courtesy of AI.

Here are some of the game mechanics discussed in the sources and how they impact player experience:

• Stats in Guest Stars:The introduction of stats to Guest Stars is a significant change that is causing concern among players.
  • Players are worried about the potential for these stats to create RNG (random number generation) and further increase stat inflation in the game, particularly if Guest Star stats scale similarly to gold moves.
  • This is especially concerning because Guest Star moves are universal and can be used across all characters, potentially leading to balance issues in various game modes.
• Shiny Odds: The increased odds of obtaining shiny characters during holiday seasons are seen as a "blatant cash grab", which frustrates some players but is understandable from a business perspective.
• Communication and Feedback:The lack of clear and timely communication from the developers regarding updates and bug fixes has been a major source of frustration for players.
  • This is exemplified by the late communication about the inclusion of stats in Guest Stars, the handling of Rift boosting, and the unaddressed bug related to character-specific catalysts in Rift.
  • Players feel they are "left in the dark" and that their feedback is not being adequately considered.
• Rift Boosting: The developers' inaction on the issue of Rift boosting has led to frustration and a sense that they are not adequately addressing unfair practices in the game.
• Rift Difficulty and Balance:The complexity and niche nature of the Rift game mode make it challenging for developers to balance.
  • Suggestions for improvement, such as stat boosts for specific units, also present their own set of complications.
  • The departure of many experienced Rift players further adds to the difficulty of gathering feedback and implementing effective changes.

Overall, the sources highlight that player experience is heavily influenced by factors like transparency, fairness, and balance. When these aspects are perceived as lacking, it leads to frustration and a negative perception of the game. On the other hand, well-communicated updates, engaging events, and a balanced gameplay environment contribute to a positive player experience.

Here are some concerns that the speakers in the source have about the game's development team:

• Lack of Communication and Transparency:The speakers express significant frustration with the development team's lack of communication and transparency regarding updates, bug fixes, and the game's direction.
  • One speaker states, "I just wish they stopped being so vague with their updates or their patch notes. I mean, I just want more specifics, want more details to basically sink my teeth into rather than just say, 'Oh, they have a new update. Okay, let's just wait until they tell us the information when the update drops.'"
  • They point to the sudden release of the Guest Star update with minimal prior information about the inclusion of stats and the potential balance implications as a prime example of this communication issue.
  • They also mention the lack of response to concerns about Rift boosting and the silent fixing of a bug related to character-specific catalysts in Rift as further evidence of poor communication.
  • This lack of transparency leaves players feeling "left in the dark" and uncertain about the future of the game.
• Ignoring or Dismissing Player Feedback:The speakers feel that the development team is not adequately listening to or considering player feedback.
  • One speaker states, "It frustrates me obviously, people were calling me like a whiny little ****... but overall I'm like, I don't blame them. Like whatever. I just wish people stop seeing the game with rose-tinted glasses and just see the problems the game has at the moment. I just wish they didn't push back the updates that they wanted to promise into another into another thing or essentially just say, 'Oh, we have this problem.' It's like the guilds, remember? That's like the GTA 6 meme and no one has been mentioning it whatsoever. They even erased it out of the uh the stats or your profile, so it doesn't even show up ever again."
  • They believe that the developers have been aware of player concerns regarding issues like stat inflation in Guest Stars and the prevalence of Rift boosting for some time but have failed to act on this feedback in a meaningful way.
  • The speakers perceive the developers' silence on these issues and the continued focus on updates like Guest Stars, which some players see as problematic, as a sign that they are not prioritizing the concerns of the community.
• Questionable Priorities:The speakers question the development team's priorities, particularly concerning updates like the Guest Star system and the lack of focus on addressing existing issues like Rift boosting.
  • The addition of stats to Guest Stars, while offering a new layer of complexity and potential for customization, is seen by the speakers as potentially exacerbating existing problems with stat inflation and balance, especially given the universal applicability of these moves across all characters.
  • The fact that the developers promoted a player on their scoreboard who was later revealed to be a Rift booster further raises concerns about their priorities and awareness of issues within the game.
  • The speakers express disappointment that the developers seem to be focusing on new content and features rather than addressing existing problems and balancing concerns that have been raised by the community.

The speakers' concerns ultimately stem from a perceived disconnect between the development team and the player base. The lack of communication, disregard for feedback, and seemingly misplaced priorities contribute to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among some players who feel that their concerns are not being heard or addressed.

Here are the speakers' opinions on the game's new Guest Stars, based on the provided source:

• Mixed Feelings: The speakers have mixed feelings about the new Guest Stars. While they acknowledge the effort put into the animations and appreciate the concept of universal moves, they are concerned about the introduction of stats and the potential negative impact on gameplay.
• Appreciation for Effort: One speaker acknowledges the development team's hard work on the Guest Stars' animations, stating, "They put like Blood Sweat and Tears into those animations, I won't lie."
• Concern about Stats:The speakers are primarily concerned about the inclusion of stats in Guest Stars.
  • They worry that the random nature of stat rolls will introduce more RNG into the game, leading to unpredictable and potentially unfair outcomes.
  • They are also concerned about the possibility of these stats causing further stat inflation, especially if they scale similarly to gold moves.
  • One speaker explains, "I dislike the stats as well. I'm not going to... I don't think we need more RNG. I don't think we need more stat inflation."
• Universality Creates Concerns:The fact that Guest Star moves are universal and can be used by any character raises additional concerns about balance and potential abuse.
  • The speakers worry that certain combinations of characters and Guest Star moves could become overpowered, particularly in game modes like Rift.
• Potential for High Stats is Scary:The speakers are particularly alarmed by the potential for Guest Star moves to roll very high stats, as seen in screenshots shared by other players.
  • One speaker mentions seeing a Dimsum Delivery move with a 24% attack stat at level 10 and expresses fear that even higher stats are possible.
• Stats Ruin the Units: One speaker goes so far as to say that the addition of stats "ruined" the Guest Stars for them, believing that the focus should have been on the unique moves and animations rather than introducing another layer of complexity and RNG.

Overall, the speakers in the source express a mix of appreciation and apprehension towards the new Guest Stars. While they enjoy the concept and the quality of the animations, they are deeply concerned about the long-term impact of stat integration, particularly on gameplay balance and the potential for excessive RNG and stat inflation.

 

[Thesmellofman]

This is exactly what I was talking about in my recent post about the "current state of the game." I covered most of these issues there, and I’m glad to see more people becoming aware of them. Guest stars won’t fix the game; they’re adding more long-term problems. The constant vague updates and lack of communication aren’t helping either. I hate to sound like a critic of guest stars, but the situation is such a mess. I’ve heard that Brain Drain is causing some players’ devices to crash, and I’ve seen reports of knockback loops caused by Brain Drain as well. These are just more bugs to address on top of existing issues with replays, fighters, and device compatibility. This is getting ridiculous. I really wish the developers would focus on improving what’s already in the game rather than adding more unfinished content.