FGS_Gerald

Originally posted by PointyArt

I am very happy to see this post about 3v3 and I think it is the correct decision from the team. My non-professional opinion is that frequent (weekly? biweekly?) communication with the following tone will be important for community discussion & morale:

• “Here’s what we’re thinking / what’s on our mind / what we’re exploring / what’s upcoming”

• “Here’s a reminder of these other things we’re working on, and a link to the previous announcements etc.”

• “This is a work in progress, seriously, nothing is final and anything could change if that change produces better gameplay”

Originally posted by DANCINGLINGS

While I understand your line of argument on focusing on the fun part first, it is very important though to get the basic philosophy of the monetization straight from the start. I assume you are not sure yourself yet internally, but in my opinion a Pay2Win concept, where you lock heros behind a paywall completely, will be such a bad optic for the mode, that you should not even dare to try it. Pay2Win is the horror for any consumer who reads "Free2Play" as a business model. Triggering that point will be extremely bad press and the wrong way to tackle the problem.

Just my 2 cents, but you guys probably know this already.

Originally posted by JonasHalle

I do appreciate these updates. I'm bringing it up as a supporter because, whether either of us like it or not, you kind of do have to stick the landing on 3v3, especially when it comes to monetization. There's been too many missteps when it comes to monetization that the one thing we can't have is a state of something vaguely pay to win, which includes buying heroes even if they're intended to be balanced. I simply don't believe this is something that should be even remotely considered low priority or treated like you can fix it later. 3v3 is the single best opportunity to entice new players, and I couldn't convince my friends to play a game with 1 hero available (Blockade) and a bunch of locked and/or trial but strictly inferior until purchased heroes.

Originally posted by Wraithost

heh, the most important - win conditions and role of Heroes are still secret

Originally posted by n1caboose

So I'm pretty pumped for this new type of 3v3 mode. But are you able to share why this is the starting point instead of traditional 2v2 or 3v3 without heroes? It seems like a lot of people (myself included) would be quite happy with queues for traditional team games.

The 2v2 maps I've played with friends in customs are already pretty dang fun, and those maps feel carefully designed to support team games and avoid early elimination with good base placement.

I just wasn't able to get them to keep playing since inhouse games inherently become less fun once someone becomes better in the group and teams can't be balanced. Queues completely solve that problem imo

Originally posted by JonasHalle

Hello Gerald.

I think it's about time that we discuss monetization of the 3v3 mode. You've confirmed that it includes heroes, so what does that mean? Do they not have progression, and as such are all free like their trial version in coop? You can't just copy the progression system from coop, I'll tell you that much for free. Not only would that be pay to win, but it would suck to effectively not be able to play a hero/subfaction until fully leveled.

If heroes aren't completely free, it is absolutely essential that they're purchaseable through in-game efforts, like every other free to play game. This would mean the creation of an in-game currency system, probably with dailies and such for easy player retention.

Originally posted by DanHodge

I'll be honest I am a little confused. I am not a game designer by any means but other than performance issues as mentioned in another comment surely the only thing to deliver is the map? I appreciate map design is important and makes an impact but why does it take a few months to create a balanced map? I mean these days we see a lot of AI generated maps/terrain would this not be at least a starting point to get a 3v3 map into playtesting and then refine?

The mechanics of the game which is the time consuming bit to build (I assume!) are in place so yeah just a little confused.

Originally posted by PointyArt

(Commentary: This one's a little harsh. Hoping the team has solid baking skills. Behind the satire and sarcasm is a gamer that wants Stormgate to succeed. I like the game.)

Originally posted by THIRD_DEGREE_

Glad to know that all those kickstarter donations went towards a rock climbing wall instead of functional unit pathing in an RTS.

*edit: I am incorrect about the building next to SEGA and Twitch with an attached gym and cafe also additionally having a rock climbing wall on premises. I was misled by Neuro's original post talking about his experience at "Frost Giant HQ" regarding the rock climbing wall as it happening within the HQ. It instead happened at an outing after work. https://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/11kibef/stormgates_rise_neuros_thoughts_after_testing/

Originally posted by ParticularCow5333

I mean, non of these is related to rts gameplay at all?

Originally posted by UncleSlim

If anyone wants to buy a Stormgate mousepad, I'm selling them for $19.99. Free shipping if you're in Cologne! Send me a DM!

Originally posted by Homelessjokemaster

I think the game doesn't show it clearly enough, that all is free to try till lvl 5

Originally posted by AffectionateCard3530

Stolen mousepad shipment was not on my Frost Giant Gamescon bingo card