Here’s a quote from Larian’s early access disclaimer:
Early Access gives players a chance to participate in development and it gives us an opportunity to explore different game ideas with a live community.
I don’t need to sit in meetings to feel like I’m participating. But if the feedback I provide is 0% relevant because features are secretly locked in, or if my suggestion’s aim goes against Larian’s goals, then I aint participating one lick.
Participation requires some level of insight into development, of which we have none. Hence, I specifically want a post guiding feedback. They could ask questions like “are we achieving this goal?” They could rope off topics they’ve settled. They could state plainly what they want.
Saying they want “any and all feedback” isn’t helpful because
it doesn’t seem to be true.Consider the second half of the quote: “[EA] gives us an opportunity to explore different game ideas with a live community.” How many “game ideas” have been explored in early access?
If memory serves (which it may not), features are rolled out, then tweaked once. That’s it. Going to camp feels weird? Minicamps! End of discussion. Resting is off? Camping supplies! Iteration over. I can’t think of any game system that’s been changed twice.
Where’s the exploration with a live community? Where’s the exploration at all? If Larian are just following their plan, most feedback doesn’t help. If they’re still open to iterate on
everything, then they’re way behind schedule.
I assume the truth lies somewhere in between; it would be nice for Larian to let us know where.