[2023] anybody else miss how you used to get better gear

Originally posted by DthBlayde:

Originally posted by Unclefutar: Alpha 21 is coming out next month or so and so is an updated console version maybe even cross play

Console version will come out -after- the PC version is complete. MS and Sony regulations prohibit things like game updates invalidating save files. Thats why the previous console version was considered "feature complete" at it's release around A15 or so, and never advanced past that.

While your answer does address the reason why the current console version will never pass it's current state, I'm happy to say current conventional knowledge on the ETA for console re-release is a bit outdated now.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/251570/discussions/8/3038230013022729733/#c5789982181534782497

Originally posted by SylenThunder: April 2023
In the first Dev stream for Alpha 21, Rick and Joel showed A21 footage running on a PS5 to highlight the fact that they are developing the new console version concurrently with PC along with partner Titanium Games from Australia.

In a shocking announcement, Rick says that not only is the console development even with PC but that if all goes well their goal is to release PC Alpha 22 as the Version 1 release for console. Cross-platform play will come later.

So the old goal of waiting until PC goes gold before releasing console versions has been altered to getting 7 Days to Die out to consoles even before PC goes gold and to continue to finish up both PC and Console versions concurrently.

Rick also mentions that they are in talks with Microsoft and Sony to negotiate a discount program for existing owners of the original console game.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1792347503 Start at time stamp 38:25 to skip to their console announcements and see the footage and hear the amazing news yourself!

Barring any major issues, or impediments of course.

Originally posted by dizaster studios:

Originally posted by Jethro: It’s ok. The next alpha we will be locked behind magazines for the skills, from my understanding.

so they make it even harder to get decent gear? that is the stupidest design choice they could make in my opinion

It’s pretty easy getting decent gear. You just need to get to the wasteland quickly for the loot stage boost. Stick to the forest if you like a slower pace. Risk/reward gameplay doesn’t seem stupid to me.

As for the new learn by reading it also makes sense that you gain new knowledge by using a source of knowledge. Crafting the same stone axe 100 times isn’t going to teach you how to make a better steel axe but that’s the way it worked. Now you will get better at each individual tool and weapon by actually gaining knowledge about it.