Some impressions

[Droj]

Come on Paradox, just drop it on steam already ffs.

I'm sure this is their intention. They just don't know how to handle the incoming flood of tears.

[JimmyJames]

I think that perhaps, in this case, opening the game up to the public beta was a mistake. Many people already treat betas like a demo and so when you get an actual beta test some people assume that's all that there will be. I'll check back later but I doubt the foundational mechanics will be different. I suspect most players will write the game off as a boring grind-fest with microtransactions—I'm seeing that sentiment on other game boards. Being directed by a forum moderator to buy a $15 pack to ease the grind a bit was off-putting.

Put another way: the creation of a game mechanic that you think might make people want to spend money to skip it is a bad idea. Either your mechanic isn't fun by accident, or it's that way on purpose to make money.

The idea and setting of Salem are outstanding but don't forget many players don't want another job. I think that it's possible to create a system that requires a lot of investment in terms of time, research and dedication that makes the journey as much fun as the end results. Keep the cash shop to cosmetic items (and make sure they are things that people want and are reasonably priced) and leave the game mechanic stuff out of it. More players will mean more opportunity to make money as well as a better game, I think.

[callanrocks]

If you want another job you should play EVE online and PLEX multiple accounts, now thats quality grinding, this game is much less grindy, just wander around and steal other people's stuff and use that

[Sarge]

I think that perhaps, in this case, opening the game up to the public beta was a mistake. Many people already treat betas like a demo and so when you get an actual beta test some people assume that's all that there will be. I'll check back later but I doubt the foundational mechanics will be different. I suspect most players will write the game off as a boring grind-fest with microtransactions—I'm seeing that sentiment on other game boards. Being directed by a forum moderator to buy a $15 pack to ease the grind a bit was off-putting.

Put another way: the creation of a game mechanic that you think might make people want to spend money to skip it is a bad idea. Either your mechanic isn't fun by accident, or it's that way on purpose to make money.

The idea and setting of Salem are outstanding but don't forget many players don't want another job. I think that it's possible to create a system that requires a lot of investment in terms of time, research and dedication that makes the journey as much fun as the end results. Keep the cash shop to cosmetic items (and make sure they are things that people want and are reasonably priced) and leave the game mechanic stuff out of it. More players will mean more opportunity to make money as well as a better game, I think.

Very well put I thought...