Stormgate's Steam early access launch has sparked a divided response among fans and backers. This article explores the concerns raised by Kickstarter backers and the game's current state.
Stormgate's Rocky Early Access Debut
Backer Disappointment Over Monetization
The highly anticipated real-time strategy game, Stormgate – aiming to be a Starcraft II successor – experienced a less-than-smooth Steam launch. Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter (against a $35 million initial goal), the game faces criticism from backers feeling misled. Those who pledged $60 for the "Ultimate" package expected complete early access content, a promise seemingly unfulfilled.
Many viewed the project as a passion project from Frost Giant Studios and supported its success. While advertised as free-to-play with microtransactions, the aggressive monetization model has alienated many backers.
Individual campaign chapters (three missions) cost $10, as does a single co-op character—double the price of Starcraft II's equivalent. Many backers, having invested $60 or more, anticipated full early access gameplay. The addition of a new character, Warz, on launch day, excluded from Kickstarter rewards, further fueled their frustration.
One Steam reviewer, Aztraeuz, commented, "You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer. Many of us supported this game because we wanted to see it succeed. A lot of us are hundreds of dollars deep into this game already. Why are there pre-day 1 microtransactions that we don’t own?"
Frost Giant Studios responded on Steam, acknowledging the concerns and thanking players. While aiming for "clear communication" regarding Kickstarter bundle content, they admitted many expected the "Ultimate" bundle to include all early access gameplay. As a compromise, they offered the next paid Hero free to all backers at the "Ultimate Founder’s Pack tier and above." However, this excludes Warz, citing prior purchases making retroactive free access impossible.
Despite this, dissatisfaction persists regarding aggressive monetization and underlying gameplay issues.
Addressing Player Feedback Post-Launch
Stormgate carries significant expectations. Developed by Starcraft II veterans, it aimed to revive the genre's golden age. However, player experiences are mixed. While core RTS gameplay shows promise, criticisms include aggressive monetization, unclear visuals, missing campaign features, underwhelming unit interactions, and unchallenging AI.
These issues contribute to a "Mixed" Steam rating, with some labeling it "Starcraft II at home." Despite flaws, reviews acknowledge its potential for improvement in areas like narrative and visuals.
For a comprehensive review of Stormgate's Early Access, please see our full review.
