I posted this video on Reddit, and most of the commenters were pointing out that the game doesn't look ready for release, unless it's an early access.
What do you think?
What do you think?
The thing is, just because that's the most recent beta patch does not necessarily mean that it's exactly what the game was like at the very moment the beta was patched. I've always figured that the development build is further ahead than the one they're letting the beta players test out. Even so, the beta build is rather developed gameplay-wise, aside from occasional tweaks and bug fixes. It's mainly the animation work that isn't done yet (at least in the version WE have; the official trailer looks more finished in that regard), and obviously some voice acting is likely still missing. If these people are looking at some placeholder animations and automatically assuming the entire game is not ready for release, then they're rather incorrect.I pointed it out, and they responded saying that the game needs more work than can be done in a few days, and that they'd be less concerned if it was from last year instead of the most recent one.
They probably have a bunch of major improvements such as missing animation frames and level 3 supers saved up for the full release. Mane6 don't need to add everything to the beta immediately after it's finished.I pointed it out, and they responded saying that the game needs more work than can be done in a few days, and that they'd be less concerned if it was from last year instead of the most recent one.
To add to this, the people who are worried about this have to wait to release, but by the time the game releases it will be to late to ask if the game was ready for it, since the answer will be obvious for (mostly) everyone.People are simply worried because ATM there's no way of judging the state of the game except beta footage (and trailer). They just need to wait for few days and see themselves, if the game is ready or not.
I will confess I was incorrect when I said the game wouldn't feel like an early access. It's far along, sure, but there are a lot of quirks and missing art assets that you wouldn't see in a finished game. In short, it's a bit more unfinished than I expected.Unfortunately OP's worries were right, it seems. The 0.95 release is essentially a glorified beta, although it seems like the missing content will be coming in a couple of days.
I agree. I was hoping that this version of the game would finally convince my picky sister that it's worth her time, but she's turned off by the lack of tutorial, unfinished animations, and even a lack of AI matches right now. I know that this is going to be fixed, but I am surprised how unpolished it is after they originally said it would be finished by the 22nd.Man, I really hate to say this, but I think we should keep this in early access for the time being. I really want this game to flourish and for you guys to take off, but in it's current form I'm concerned some of the presentation elements will scare off the casual players.
These things need to be addressed because it's jarring when they occur and make the game look unfinished:
- Cardboard/Placeholder Arizona: there can't be any; it's more acceptable for a beta or early access for QA purposes but they have no business being in the final version
- Intro/Victory Animations: some characters have mouth flaps that don't fit the spoken lines at all, I would honestly forget about the mouth flaps completely and just have them do some kind of pose (Skullgirls and KoFXIII do this and it's fine); I think just having off mouth flaps is a lot more distracting than no mouth flaps at all
- Pretadors: they need some kind of sound, even just stock animal growls like Pom's puppies
- Animated BG Characters: There are elements of the background which look nice but the ones that should move the most don't, even just simple SFII animations would be better than the still images that are present now
I'm also concerned about a lack of some kind of tutorial for players that are brand new to fighters, they're kind of left with nothing and these days that's not good. I know Trials are planned but there's so much more that can be done: Skullgirls has some good exercises to look at, KI's dojo is great, Guilty Gear Xrd has a nice FAQ with some decent tips for what and how to practice (possibly the easiest to implement), this is an older example but VF4 Evolution had an amazing tutorial; I'm sure with this game many many of the TFH players are going to be first time fighting game players. While presentation is more important for getting casuals in the door of this game, having a robust tutorial will keep them engaged and potentially interested in future fighting games.
I just want to say finally I'm not saying this to be mean at all, I just really want this game to do well but I'm really nervous right now with the state the game is in currently.
I would concur on this, I did expect a little more than what's currently available. At least all the animations in by EA, but there are still missing pieces, which doesn't add a good first impression for a game with a big crowdfund, sponsored by Humble, and despite them being blunt and transparent (which I love), I'm not sure how they wouldn't know there would be many more bugs and glitches at time of release/EA that most companies would have been able to address by day 1 or 2. Mane6 is still working on the tail end of the basics atm, so bug fixes and QoL improvements won't come anytime soon.Man, I really hate to say this, but I think we should keep this in early access for the time being. I really want this game to flourish and for you guys to take off, but in it's current form I'm concerned some of the presentation elements will scare off the casual players.
These things need to be addressed because it's jarring when they occur and make the game look unfinished:
- Cardboard/Placeholder Arizona: there can't be any; it's more acceptable for a beta or early access for QA purposes but they have no business being in the final version
- Intro/Victory Animations: some characters have mouth flaps that don't fit the spoken lines at all, I would honestly forget about the mouth flaps completely and just have them do some kind of pose (Skullgirls and KoFXIII do this and it's fine); I think just having off mouth flaps is a lot more distracting than no mouth flaps at all
- Pretadors: they need some kind of sound, even just stock animal growls like Pom's puppies
- Animated BG Characters: There are elements of the background which look nice but the ones that should move the most don't, even just simple SFII animations would be better than the still images that are present now
I'm also concerned about a lack of some kind of tutorial for players that are brand new to fighters, they're kind of left with nothing and these days that's not good. I know Trials are planned but there's so much more that can be done: Skullgirls has some good exercises to look at, KI's dojo is great, Guilty Gear Xrd has a nice FAQ with some decent tips for what and how to practice (possibly the easiest to implement), this is an older example but VF4 Evolution had an amazing tutorial; I'm sure with this game many many of the TFH players are going to be first time fighting game players. While presentation is more important for getting casuals in the door of this game, having a robust tutorial will keep them engaged and potentially interested in future fighting games.
I just want to say finally I'm not saying this to be mean at all, I just really want this game to do well but I'm really nervous right now with the state the game is in currently.
Honestly I think that the main source of the problems and current state of the game lasts much longer than few weeks. It has been delayed how many times previously? Also normally last few weeks before release is spent on bug fixing and polishing, not on one of the main features.Obviously this is not how the devs wanted to launch the game, but they ran into a pretty bad speedbump in the weeks leading up to launch
Pixel Lobby chat isn't that hard to figure out. As for the AI, it is at least adjustable and will be rebalanced.Honestly I think that the main source of the problems and current state of the game lasts much longer than few weeks. It has been delayed how many times previously? Also normally last few weeks before release is spent on bug fixing and polishing, not on one of the main features.
Anyway, gameplay-wise the game is fine, sure. But at the same time currently it is very unfriendly towards new players. AI is mean, tutorial is absent, some basic functions are not explained and not obvious (activating pixel lobby chat for example). I fear that not only many players who already bought the game will give up and never come back, but also very few new ones will play it when it is finally finished.
If it was, people wouldn't ask here about it.Pixel Lobby chat isn't that hard to figure out.
Yeah, it helps that they've been fairly transparent.One of the problems for me is that some people will think that the developers are liars or incompetent because of some unfinished animations and other things. These "issues" are not that big of a deal, you can still play the game, perform combos, fight local and online matches and will mostly be fixed by the time the game is finished. This an early access, not a 1.0. They are still developing the game and some things might change.
And some still compare an indie game with the one of a AAA publisher. This isn't Street Fighter V, Marvel vs Capcom Infinite or Tekken 7.
I think the developers are doing their best.
That's right. They've been transparent. But not everything that someone says or wishes can go as planned. Something unexpected might happen.Yeah, it helps that they've been fairly transparent.