Gasom is a let down

[Zilarrezko]

So far I enjoyed replaying with the 2.0 update but getting into the Gasom stuff with Ewald is really dissapointing. The way Gus behaved in the dialogue seemd to border on self-parody compared to the earlier discussions with him and it is never actually explained what this meeting or deal that you're here to discuss with Alphonso is about, and as soon as the introductions were out of the way he immediately about faced anyway and said there can be no deal. What a farce. Of course, unless you give him a bribe, but for WHAT? It wasn't until AFTER this that a bunch of newspaper articles rail against you for not agreeing to buy a government stake in the company that I learned that was what the meeting was supposed to be about. Why the hell isnt that the FIRST thing they say about the meeting? Also why on earth do I need Aphonso's approval? I can force government shares and even outright seize Tusk and Koronti's companies with the stroke of a pen later on, but even the faintest hint of nationalising a key strategic resource that produces the country's energy isn't even possible? What the heck?

[Rince270]

Agreed, I was excited to see some new content but this felt rather botched. I had poor relations with Alphonso starting off as usual as it never affected the game before now, and I didn't see any reason to suck up to him in the scene given my planned economy stance.

It did rather feel like the cart was being put before the horse here, being barred from even being given information and starting negotiations because he doesn't like me? Unless I agree to do something later that I can't know the details of yet? I can't recall that happening elsewhere. Even Tusk and Marcel don't mind offering a deal to a Malenyevist when in their interests, even if you've been rude to them. Marcel may have his 'secret favour' condition but he at least tells you his whole deal upfront first so you can weigh it up and decide if it's worth a risk or not.

I was just waiting for the moment where I could say "I really don't need your approval for anything Ewald, I'll just nationalise your company and fix your mess myself directly". Nope, as I don't want to go anywhere with Ewald, I just have to awkwardly shuffle clueless and bewildered to the protesters. Whose presence and demands I was unaware of at the start of the meeting, so I could know the stakes going in. Since I had no deal I couldn't affect the scene in any noticeably meaningful way and was a little confused that Denis Stahler of all people didn't suggest nationalisation either. No option for "I didn't get a deal, because we don't need to beg the bosses for anything, the administration will nationalise Gasom and get you the treatment you hard honest workers deserve."

Very strange decisions behind the writing and mechanics re Gasom here. Behemoths like Bergia Steel and HOS can be nationalised, so why not Gasom, a key piece of Sordland's strategic industry, especially for national security reasons? Why can we only prop it up with essentially, domestic or foreign bailouts, where it might just collapse anyway?

[K did literally nothing wrong]

Again, it's weird that 2.0 kept dropping the ball in weird places. Like rewriting Arcasia into Ancapistan.

[phenderson01]

Glad to see this post, came here hoping for similar reactions to that scene - was totally baffled after asking about the rewards of investing only for Ewald to pull the plug on negotiations completely because I hurt his feelings. Only for me to take the fall. All a bit jarring and silly.

[Mr. Nowak]

Thanks for the feedback. This could be a bug since what you describe is one of the sub-branches. For those please report them with save files so we can investigate. (testing-reports channel)

You can also create feedback cards in the Discord forum and list what type of changes you would want to see on the content.

More information here: http://discord.gg/H2F6xxg in the reports section for feedback.

[tmitfc]

I think it because EPA, as long as EPA did not repeal, that means that all Sordish energy companies are under influence and/or control of government, that's why Alphonso need your help, otherwise he can only do very limit, and Gasom can not call a full private company if EPA still in there. While HOS and Bergia Steel are not energy companies, which mean they are not under such restriction.

[cyberman]

This is exactly what happened to me aswell.

Alfonso: "There will be no deal"
- what deal are you talking about?
Gus : "I can make a compromise if you like me"
- Sure, a compromise about what?
Gus: You can pay a dollar to Alfonso if you promise not to lower EPA.
- Why would i pay Alfonso a dollar in order to promise that?
Gus and Alfonso: "Then Rizia will invest into Gazprom and not you"
- Id like to invest but i never got the option to.

"We have to fly away in the helicopter"
-No ill meet the demonstrators.

Reporter "You dont care about the workers!!!!"
- I literally just met with one of the MPS before this meeting and said i would sign a workers bill that will fix this issue, how about that?"

*Gunshots*

- Oh thank god they killed Serge i hate that guy.

After that i found Serges funeral to be pure comedy. "Hero of the nation" - LOL

[Mr. Nowak]

Originally posted by cyberman:

This is exactly what happened to me aswell.

Alfonso: "There will be no deal"
- what deal are you talking about?
Gus : "I can make a compromise if you like me"
- Sure, a compromise about what?
Gus: You can pay a dollar to Alfonso if you promise not to lower EPA.
- Why would i pay Alfonso a dollar in order to promise that?
Gus and Alfonso: "Then Rizia will invest into Gazprom and not you"
- Id like to invest but i never got the option to.

"We have to fly away in the helicopter"
-No ill meet the demonstrators.

Reporter "You dont care about the workers!!!!"
- I literally just met with one of the MPS before this meeting and said i would sign a workers bill that will fix this issue, how about that?"

*Gunshots*

- Oh thank god they killed Serge i hate that guy.

After that i found Serges funeral to be pure comedy. "Hero of the nation" - LOL

Please deliver save files in the discord server testing-reports for troubleshooting. It's a very heavily branched conversation that needs further investigation.

[badgeroftruth]

I have to agree that the Gasom dialogues are extremely problematic. I've just tried to replay the game on a planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, but there's just no way to suggest meaningful changes to workers' conditions. It's infuriating. All I can ask for is more charity work, after doing -2 investment. What on earth?! Why can't I even *ask* for meaningful changes, like wages? With open market and decent relations with Alphonso, you can ask for and get *anything,* including education and healthcare and housing. With planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, I can only *ask* for *charity*? That makes no sense whatsoever. And I've banged on about workers' rights from the first line with Gus.

And then everything gets cut off by the sirens and you can't even press your point! Like, I'm playing a pro-worker Rayne, if I can't get better conditions for Narbel, I won't sign anything--that's just basic logic for this character. But no, the dialogue simply cuts off. The whole setup of this dialogue just pushes you around, and it's not at all how the rest of the game works. It's a very unsatisfying and anti-roleplaying dialogue. Sorry, but it needs more than bug fixing.

[los_tomatos]

There should really be a way to just nationalize Gasom if you're going that route anyways, it feels silly that you can take on the largest oligarchs in Sordland but somehow this particular business in untouchable.

[Rush Knight]

Tangent question: why does a 30% share of Gasom cost 2 budget, but full nationalization of Bergia Steel only sets you back 1? (Also, why doesn't the game tell you directly how much nationalizing will cost?)

[Mr. Nowak]

Originally posted by badgeroftruth:

I have to agree that the Gasom dialogues are extremely problematic. I've just tried to replay the game on a planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, but there's just no way to suggest meaningful changes to workers' conditions. It's infuriating. All I can ask for is more charity work, after doing -2 investment. What on earth?! Why can't I even *ask* for meaningful changes, like wages? With open market and decent relations with Alphonso, you can ask for and get *anything,* including education and healthcare and housing. With planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, I can only *ask* for *charity*? That makes no sense whatsoever. And I've banged on about workers' rights from the first line with Gus.

And then everything gets cut off by the sirens and you can't even press your point! Like, I'm playing a pro-worker Rayne, if I can't get better conditions for Narbel, I won't sign anything--that's just basic logic for this character. But no, the dialogue simply cuts off. The whole setup of this dialogue just pushes you around, and it's not at all how the rest of the game works. It's a very unsatisfying and anti-roleplaying dialogue. Sorry, but it needs more than bug fixing.

Thanks for the feedback. We need to check the save files why you didn't get the options to ask for more. The relationship value with Alphonso determines what you can ask for right now and the current balance might be too harsh for certain playthroughs.

Please send the saves over in the Discord server for a balancing check.

Originally posted by los tomatos:

There should really be a way to just nationalize Gasom if you're going that route anyways, it feels silly that you can take on the largest oligarchs in Sordland but somehow this particular business in untouchable.

We were planning to add this option in the future since it didn't make the cut due to production limitations. Currently investing alone and reducing EPA is mostly taking over Gasom and making it dependent on the state.

Originally posted by Rush Knight:

Tangent question: why does a 30% share of Gasom cost 2 budget, but full nationalization of Bergia Steel only sets you back 1? (Also, why doesn't the game tell you directly how much nationalizing will cost?)

Gasom is worth more. The nationalization costs are calculated dynamically after the choice and can't be displayed due to their fluidity. We are looking at ways to communicating complex dynamic results beforehand.

[Lycaniz]

Originally posted by badgeroftruth:

I have to agree that the Gasom dialogues are extremely problematic. I've just tried to replay the game on a planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, but there's just no way to suggest meaningful changes to workers' conditions. It's infuriating. All I can ask for is more charity work, after doing -2 investment. What on earth?! Why can't I even *ask* for meaningful changes, like wages? With open market and decent relations with Alphonso, you can ask for and get *anything,* including education and healthcare and housing. With planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, I can only *ask* for *charity*? That makes no sense whatsoever. And I've banged on about workers' rights from the first line with Gus.

And then everything gets cut off by the sirens and you can't even press your point! Like, I'm playing a pro-worker Rayne, if I can't get better conditions for Narbel, I won't sign anything--that's just basic logic for this character. But no, the dialogue simply cuts off. The whole setup of this dialogue just pushes you around, and it's not at all how the rest of the game works. It's a very unsatisfying and anti-roleplaying dialogue. Sorry, but it needs more than bug fixing.

I just went through a planned economy and was frustrated by the same issues, to double down on it, the conversation with the protestors outside slammed me for not having anything concrete done, why slam the player for not having done anything meaningful when there is literally no meaningful option the player cane take? still mid game so maybe something will come later but i certainly questioned this part

[Lycaniz]

Originally posted by Mr. Nowak:

Originally posted by badgeroftruth:

I have to agree that the Gasom dialogues are extremely problematic. I've just tried to replay the game on a planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, but there's just no way to suggest meaningful changes to workers' conditions. It's infuriating. All I can ask for is more charity work, after doing -2 investment. What on earth?! Why can't I even *ask* for meaningful changes, like wages? With open market and decent relations with Alphonso, you can ask for and get *anything,* including education and healthcare and housing. With planned economy and decent relations with Alphonso, I can only *ask* for *charity*? That makes no sense whatsoever. And I've banged on about workers' rights from the first line with Gus.

And then everything gets cut off by the sirens and you can't even press your point! Like, I'm playing a pro-worker Rayne, if I can't get better conditions for Narbel, I won't sign anything--that's just basic logic for this character. But no, the dialogue simply cuts off. The whole setup of this dialogue just pushes you around, and it's not at all how the rest of the game works. It's a very unsatisfying and anti-roleplaying dialogue. Sorry, but it needs more than bug fixing.

Thanks for the feedback. We need to check the save files why you didn't get the options to ask for more. The relationship value with Alphonso determines what you can ask for right now and the current balance might be too harsh for certain playthroughs.

Please send the saves over in the Discord server for a balancing check.

Originally posted by los tomatos:

There should really be a way to just nationalize Gasom if you're going that route anyways, it feels silly that you can take on the largest oligarchs in Sordland but somehow this particular business in untouchable.

We were planning to add this option in the future since it didn't make the cut due to production limitations. Currently investing alone and reducing EPA is mostly taking over Gasom and making it dependent on the state.

Originally posted by Rush Knight:

Tangent question: why does a 30% share of Gasom cost 2 budget, but full nationalization of Bergia Steel only sets you back 1? (Also, why doesn't the game tell you directly how much nationalizing will cost?)

Gasom is worth more. The nationalization costs are calculated dynamically after the choice and can't be displayed due to their fluidity. We are looking at ways to communicating complex dynamic results beforehand.

Just for my above post, granted i am planned economy and not the greatest friend of Alphonso, but i did still vote for him during the pre-game and managed to talk him into stepping down, so i think my relationship should still be good

As for nationalising it, i understand its cut due to budget/time, still, i went with the emergency powers and would wish i had an option during all the dialogue about how much to let foreigners invest, to respond that *if* someone started treating it as a weapon agains us, we would just nationalise it for instance.

[Gentlest Giant]

Seconded, Or tenthed, or whatever.
I had no idea what I said no to when I refused to bribe Ewal into me not touching the EPA. I hope the country will survive being without domestic production of natural gas in the foreseeable future.
Whoops.

[Mr. Nowak]

Thanks for the additional feedback points. We will make some fixes and improvements to the flow of the conversation for the low relationship path. This is where most of the issues are. Some are made already internally.