My take would be that they most likely get what they need without more back and forth communication - they give playerbase access to what they wanna test, and get back data metrics, gameplay videos and written feedback. They create big showcase with every patch, to get people to play it, and that’s it. They have nothing more to sell, so marketing budget is best saved for each patch, and 1.0 release. It’s not crowdfunding, where people can increase their pledge throughout the development either. We bought what is to buy. We test what is to be tested. Hopefully for Larian, they will make more sales with 1.0. What else is there to want? They seem to be getting what they need on both creative and business sides of the project.
I wonder what the effect on playerbase engagement with every patch would be if communication would be more regular. I bet that with PfH being such a rare event, to the point that the patch and the show gets reported on some gaming news outlets, it generates quite a bit of player engagement. And isn’t that what Larian wants? Release patch => get people to play it => have them take a break until new patch comes out. I know I have fallen into this rhythms.
Would more constant communication have a negative effect on this cycle? Would revealing features worked on kill the hype for each patch? Would more constant communication make PfH less significant? Would clear roadmap and communication make people more likely to skip patches knowing that stuff they are waiting for isn’t making it into nearest patch or even early access at all?
Last edited by Wormerine; 07/11/22 03:48 PM.
