Greetings Jorb, Loftar. Jorb, i've contacted you about half a year ago asking about Salem etc, maybe you remember me. This topic is nothing else but an opinion of not just a general player, but i hope it will convey the position of all for-idea gamers, who don't value graphics the most, etc, hope you got what i am talking about. So, a little bit oversized intro, but lets proceed to the core of the topic.
First of all i would like to mention, if smone is interested, that i was inspired to write this, it is not totally MY thought but rather 5%mine and the other 95% of others by whom i was inspired.
So the main idea is next. You probably already know, but i won't be lazy to mention it once again: Haven&Hearth was great. It is an example of real values. That's not graphic, that matters, nor its any kind of scenario etc. It's the idea. And the idea was great: new, authentic, engaging. Everyone who had enough skill to penetrate go-in barrier was captured by the game for months, even years. And the exprerience and the emotions. Oldfags said they found a new breath in this game, while other games are just the same candies in different covers. And your example shows: you don't need money to make something valuable, piece of a workmanship. You need an idea, and a couple of straight hands, and eagerness ofc. And you did it. I hope you were and still are inspired by themes like this, by great references, by your audience, which is the most skilled among gamers i dare say. And we all thank you and find your work brilliant, we are inspired by your game, example, we are very greateful for the experience! Ask anyone who played Haven for a month at least. But what is Salem?
Everybody needs to eat, everybody wants money. But when you get your money, expenses also rise, and you still find a lack of money in your pocket, that's how it seems to work. And we understand your needs, ofc, it was discussed and not once or twice, but many times. And we all wish you good luck, money, happiness(the most valuable point)((At least i do)). And the thing i want to convey is money not all you would wish in your life. You were given the talent and the opportunity to integrate something new, new approaches, new experiences, you are creators. So create! Salem is totally not the thing to be loved. I mean some people love Crysis 2, indeed, and you should love your work, the masterpiece you're creating, otherwise it won't work. I also understand that some people will like Salem, and won't like HnH. But from the point of a guy who played both games i can evaluate and say: Though Salem is kind of HnH in a different cover, even with new content it isn't half as great as HnH. How otherwise to explain that people are still playing HnH instead of moving to Salem?
So what do i want to convey is the idea that you should continue working on HnH. Just look on online! Haven having no advertisements attracted thrice as much people as are online in Salem now! Even with less content, with lags, 2,5-d graphics etc... That means you can do it. And Haven is worth of investing there your work. You did it in 2, why don't you take some more people and advance hnh? Ofc you may say how do we buy bread then having no income from HnH? That is to be discussed, and if you may, there will start a discussion, but it is too early to start it provided that you will abandon HnH in future.
So here is my humble opinion. I hope arguments are persuasive enough and there are not many grammar mistakes.
Best wishes as always.
Kakandaville.