Stormgate's Early Access launch on Steam has sparked a heated debate among fans and Kickstarter backers. The real-time strategy game, aiming to revive the spirit of StarCraft II, has faced significant criticism regarding its monetization strategy.
Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter – a considerable sum despite falling short of its $35 million goal – backers who pledged for the "Ultimate" bundle ($60) feel misled. Their expectation of receiving complete early access content hasn't materialized. The aggressive microtransaction model, featuring $10 per campaign chapter (or three missions) and individual co-op characters at the same price (double StarCraft II's cost), has ignited considerable anger. Many backers, having invested significantly, feel cheated, particularly given the day-one release of a new character, Warz, excluded from Kickstarter rewards. One Steam reviewer, Aztraeuz, succinctly summarized the sentiment: "You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer." The frustration stems from the perceived betrayal of trust and the unexpected cost of accessing content they believed was included in their pledge.
Frost Giant Studios responded via Steam, acknowledging the misunderstanding regarding the "Ultimate" bundle's content. While they attempted to clarify the Kickstarter rewards, they admitted many anticipated full access to early access content. As a conciliatory gesture, backers who pledged at the "Ultimate Founder’s Pack tier and above" will receive the next paid Hero for free, excluding Warz due to prior purchases.
However, this gesture has done little to quell the ongoing criticism. Beyond the monetization concerns, players cite issues with visuals, a lack of crucial campaign features, underwhelming unit interactions, and a less-than-challenging AI. The game's Steam rating reflects this mixed reception, with many labeling it a "Starcraft II at home" experience, highlighting both its potential and its current shortcomings. While the core RTS gameplay shows promise, the aggressive monetization and other noted flaws have significantly impacted the overall player experience. A comprehensive review provides further insight into these issues.
