Dear agents,
Time has elapsed since our participation in the Steam Next Fest, from the closed beta back in March to the recent public demo, we’ve had a bunch of you dived into the Bakery Operation and tossed us many valuable feedback.
In this interval, we received an official recap of the June event, unveiling that Reverse Collapse secured 15th spot in the most played demo list. This accomplishment has taken us aback, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering participation and support across all phase ; achieving this milestone wouldn't have been possible without your involvement.
While we’re eager to learn about your experience with our Steam Next Fest Demo, we believe it's more important to fully understand every players’ thoughts and develop corresponding optimization plans before initiating further engagement.
Analzying thousands of questionnaires could have posed a challenge, but seeing all your enthusiasic feedback have been our driving force! Our team had identified key areas for optimization based on your concerns. Seizing this opportunity, we also aim to provide insights into our recent development endeavors and future plans for the game.
【Enhancing Early Game Instruction System】
Reflecting on our March closed-beta, we recognized opportunities for refining our instruction and UI systems For the Steam Next Fest demo, we’ve adopted a comprehensive approach to bolster the existing instruction system.
Considering the diverse demands of players in the public demo, we've taken steps to address this complexity. For instance, many experienced strategy gamers found the step-by-step instructins uncomfortable, and the need to re-watch instructions upon restarting a campaign hindered the overall experience. In response, we have introduced two new features to tackle this issue: the option to "
Disable New Player Turtorial"
(which can be reactivated through settings) and the option to "Skip Tutorial”. Of course, we’re dedicated to aiding newcomers to the strategy game genre. We’re refining the
“Help” and “Tips” functions to facilitate a swift grasp of the game for everyone.
【Adjustments to Repetitive Missions in Campaign】
Following the Steam Next Fest Demo feedback, one theme stood out - the repetition of missions in a campaign.
Whether it’s experimenting with strategies or aiming for the S-rank, we noticed that replayling campaigns was a frequent practice among many of you.
To address this insight, we're refining our save system. In "Casual" and "Standard" modes, we're implementing an automatic turn-start save function, while transforming the "Restart Stage" feature into the more intuitive "Restart Turn" command. For those who prefer manual saves, a simple one-click option is in the works as well.
Additionally, in response to concerns about “unintended movements”, we're honing the experience. This involves refining default path selection methods, enhancing movement previews, and more.
We understand that it’s part of the “game” and pursuit for some agents to attain the S-Rank status, so we will be adapting the "Replay Mode," previously accessible only upon completion of all campaigns, to become available after concluding each major chapter (temporarily closed upon entering the next chapter). This approach allows you to freely choose between revisiting past battles or embracing new challenges without compromising your exposure to the narrative of stage chapters.
As for the design of bonus objectives within the campaign, we'll be continuously assessing and fine-tuning them in the times ahead.
【Gameplay approach and Character Focus】
"Reverse Collapse" isn't a grand-scale tactical game with multiple units battling it out. Instead, our focus lies on a few key characters, letting you experience the entire Bakery Operation through their perspectives and each mission features special combat designs intertwined with narrative moments.
In the first chapter's plot, Mendo becomes isolated and under attack, needing to stealthily navigate to avoid unfavorable odds. However, the slow-paced crawling experience didn't quite capture the thrill we aimed for. Therefore, we’ve made the 【tranquilizer darts】 item available earlier in the first chapter. While this might increase the learning curve initially, mastering stealth gameplay will become more engaging, potentially allowing you to turn the tide in dire situations by utilizing this crucial item.
【Thoughts on Narrative Pacing】
As previously mentioned, the post-reset storyline has expanded to over 300,000 words, resulting in a relatively extended gameplay duration. The first climax of the story was designed to unfold after the "first" mission failure. However, this occurs relatively late in the Steam Next Fest demo version, preventing some players from fully experiencing the game's charm early on.
We'll be exploring the option to add key plot elements earlier in the game, offering more interested players a glimpse into core plot thread. this approach aims to captivate the interest of both dedicated fans of Reverse Collapse and newcomers alike, inviting them to delve into the alluring mysteries that lie beneath the futuristic veneer of the game's science fiction narrative.
Beyond the aspects mention aboved, we’ll continue to polish music, sound effects, keyboard/mouse and controller gameplay experiences, copywriting, UI, and more. . Once again, a sincere thank you to all who have been with us on this journey.
Lastly, we're excited to share that we'll be participating in the upcoming
Steam Strategy Fest at the end of August, showcasing an optimized demo. If you missed out on the Steam Next Fest, fret not—stay tuned for detailed updates through upcoming announcements via our Discord and Twitter.
Join our Discord community and connect with fellow agents: https://discord.gg/reversecollapse
Follow us on Twitter to stay in the loop: https://twitter.com/Re_Collapse_EN
