Stormgate's Microtransactions Draw Backlash

Stormgate's Steam Early Access launch has sparked a divided response among fans and backers. This article delves into the concerns raised by Kickstarter backers and the game's current state.

Stormgate's Rocky Start

Backer Discontent Over Monetization

The highly anticipated RTS game, aiming to be a Starcraft II successor, has experienced a challenging launch. Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter (against a $35 million initial goal), Frost Giant Studios faces criticism from backers feeling deceived. Those who pledged $60 for the "Ultimate" package expected complete Early Access content, a promise seemingly unmet.

Many viewed the project as a passion project deserving support. 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. Backers who invested $60 or more anticipated full Early Access gameplay, only to find themselves lacking access to content they believed was included. The addition of a new character, Warz, on launch day, excluded from Kickstarter rewards, further fueled frustration.

"You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer," commented Steam user Aztraeuz, highlighting the irony of backers supporting the game to see it succeed, only to encounter unexpected paywalls.

Frost Giant Studios responded on Steam, acknowledging the misunderstanding regarding Kickstarter bundle content and thanking players. They pledged to provide the next paid Hero free to "Ultimate Founder’s Pack" backers and above, excluding Warz due to prior purchases.

This concession, however, hasn't fully appeased the ongoing frustration over monetization and gameplay issues.

Addressing Player Feedback Post-Launch

Stormgate carries significant expectations, developed by Starcraft II veterans. While the core RTS gameplay shows potential, criticism centers on aggressive monetization, visual quality, missing campaign features, unit interactions, and unchallenging AI.

These issues have resulted in a "Mixed" Steam rating, with some labeling it "Starcraft II at home." Despite flaws, the game's potential for improvement remains.

For a complete review of Stormgate's Early Access, please see our full review.