Are the devs caving to those that can't understand being the Soulmask?

[Malakoff]

In the latest dev update ZIMA talks about how your main character is not the center of the story but rather the mask is, but then talks about making the main character less gimped. I'm not a fan of the direction they are going as I find the mechanic of searching for really good recruits to take over as being one of the great features of the game.

I think making the main character more powerful discourages players from finding their way towards the more powerful recruited minions that they should be using.

Discuss.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2646460/view/6189715263295870592?l=english

[Boomerang]

I agree... Playing the starter character to endgame should NEVER be an option. If they want to raise the skill cap to 60 on weapons so you can get the next skill while still learning the game, I am ok with that... but anything beyond should come from other tribesman.

I sincerely hope they DO NOT increase the stats on the original character.

[Vin]

Originally posted by Boomerang:

I agree... Playing the starter character to endgame should NEVER be an option. If they want to raise the skill cap to 60 on weapons so you can get the next skill while still learning the game, I am ok with that... but anything beyond should come from other tribesman.

I sincerely hope they DO NOT increase the stats on the original character.

thats the thing. all caps go to 60 when you beat boss 3. 60 is not enough for these people they want to ignore the core mechanic of the game.

[wildbill]

Simple solution is to really make you the mask. Move all the proficiencies into the mask and not the body. Then it wouldn't matter what body you have, you never lose all the skill proficiencies you took days and days accumulating. I've yet to get a 2nd mask, and can't imagine leveling a 2nd one up for days and days where the first is. Same reason I don't want to go to a different body. The grind is just way too long to have to do it over and over.

So why would you go to another body? Add bonus skills with different bodies same as the masks have different bonuses. Also of course the body can die, so when it does, you would switch to a different one, but you would retain all the proficiencies that are stored in the mask. Make those be the same across all masks you get (I think how the top rows work already).

I suppose this is the same reason I only play PvE. I just don't like everything being lost and having to start over. Well I don't mind when it is my choice, but hate it when it is forced onto me.

[Bridgehead]

tbf IF the tribesmember acted like the main character (respawn at bonfire etc) and the main character acted like tribesmemeber (assign work, not just being...There doing nothing when you control someone else) this would be totally fine...But since when you die as a tribesmemeber you just die (until you find something specific) and the main character does nothing, and is even in the way of npcs doing their jobs when not controlled it's not really a good way to do that... I see the intent and it's actually a good one but it's not working well if the main character is better to play than the tribesmembers even with less stats

[Refundable]

I love the current mechanics.
Anyone who thinks the main charactor being gimped is bad is a silly goose.
At first I thought the control feature was like. A gimmick.
But it's actually one of the most unique aspects of the game.
Don't let the 12 year olds remove the coolest feature of the game.

[Refundable]

Originally posted by wildbill:

Simple solution is to really make you the mask. Move all the proficiencies into the mask and not the body. Then it wouldn't matter what body you have, you never lose all the skill proficiencies you took days and days accumulating. I've yet to get a 2nd mask, and can't imagine leveling a 2nd one up for days and days where the first is. Same reason I don't want to go to a different body. The grind is just way too long to have to do it over and over.

So why would you go to another body? Add bonus skills with different bodies same as the masks have different bonuses. Also of course the body can die, so when it does, you would switch to a different one, but you would retain all the proficiencies that are stored in the mask. Make those be the same across all masks you get (I think how the top rows work already).

I suppose this is the same reason I only play PvE. I just don't like everything being lost and having to start over. Well I don't mind when it is my choice, but hate it when it is forced onto me.

If it takes you days to level you're doing it wrong.
A new villager can hit level 90 in about 20 minutes if you have a good one. The good ones have boosts the correspond to what you're trying to level.

Take a Master Hunter. 75% boost to spear. Plus weapon master %50 boost to spear. Plus seafood %200 boost to body exp. Plus well rested %40 boost. Plus 100% mask node boost.
You're looking at like %500 boost to body exp.

If you're trying to level up cooking on a novice hunter you're going to have a bad time.

As for the mask yeah. It sucks. Grinding awareness sucks. But it only takes about 12 hours to max out a mask if you're grinding awareness exp anyway.

[Mr Rabbit]

you are the mask it self... its a simple concept ffs..
you can get better tribes people after and store them so you can revive if they die
your starting character is just a lucky random tribe person who got the mask..
its very simple to understand

whats not simple is surviving in a game that is riddled in rubberbanding

[Propwash50]

Originally posted by Onikage:

Originally posted by Propwash50:

The link literally backs up what I have been saying about the initial character's purpose so again you have won nothing. They are looking at marginally improving the initial character (yawn). While this will certainly appease you to some degree, mark my words the same cries of "uselessness" will come again and if the devs cave to the vocal minority once they will be pressured to do it again.

It seems you didnt read the last paragraph where they very clearly state the intent of the game was to bounce around possessing many different bodies including machines at some point.

I will rage/sulk at nothing. Enjoy your false, self delusional victory, kid.

Nothing sadder or angrier than when someone has to start saying "kid" as an insult. Making up more words that the dev didn't say like "Marginally Improving" when they actually wrote "we're considering adjusting the starter character's physical attributes to match with those of an average tribesman".

Since your bias and denial won't let you understand the article fully, I'll highlight this for you to help:
"As an Early Access title, we can still make sweeping improvements. More importantly, we want to co-create the game with you: how would you make "you" feel more present? We eagerly await your insights in the comments—any creative ideas could make Soulmask even more captivating."

You and that other upset person with your "Mark my words" nonsense saying "cave to demands" when you should say "Listened to Feedback they asked for". Welcome to EA. The game you bought isn't gonna be the same as the finished product. If you're gonna throw a tantrum every time the "vocal minority" requests a change you don't agree with, stop buying EA games.

This "Doomsaying" about the future of the game is what is most ridiculous, you're literally saying "Oh no! If the devs listen to players... they might keep listening to players! All is lost! The end is nigh!" when that's the literal intent of the Devs (as shown above) AND the point of EA space (I'm repeating this point in different ways hoping it sinks in).

I didn't say I was "done" before, I've been telling you to stop. It's advice you should've taken instead of just digging your heels in and writing more and more ridiculous crap. But it's your life and your time you want to waste, so feel free. I look forward to the next "Vocal Minority" you get upset by and sulk in impotent range at the Devs listening to other feedback you don't like.

Now I'm done, so please write your "nu uh URMAD" bs nonsense but don't expect any more replies in this thread since it's a closed issue.

Typical of your type. Only you are allowed to have a voice. You/the devs have angered no one. I will be still playing this game with my initial sitting in a corner while my much better captures get my attention and you will be the one sulking/complaining that your main still isnt good enough since the devs said they will make it as good as the average barbarian, which is still overshadowed by the rest of what you can capture.

You talk a lot about rage and its clear from your writing you are projecting. For your health try to calm down a bit when someone online voices an opinion different than your own.

[starkmaddness]

"can't understand being the Soulmask"

We UNDERSTAND the 'lore' explanation, but that doesn't change the fact that many people hate the game mechanic. And gameplay trumps lore.

It is also a lame explanation because the OP doesn't understand that the mask is NOT the main character as you can swap the mask as well. So at best there is some nebulous concept of a soul that is the 'main character' that possesses masks to then possess people. Which is just dumb, a main character with no sense of identity is just bad.

[punknugget]

I'm reading a lot of entitlement here of people wanting the game to be easier on harder settings so they can pretend to feel more accomplished...

Meanwhile... there are those of us that find the game too easy, I do consider this a Mid-tier difficulty game with some early design balance issues.

I'm already the Main character of my own life. I don't need a game to let me pretend, nor would I ever want that! I game for the challenge and to keep my wits and intellect sharp.

This game is a bridge between the "thanks for your money, now your a hero!" patronizing experience marketed to children as games, vs those people that understand that a game is meant to challenge us and elevate us further as individuals. To become better than we already are.

There is nothing wrong with being a difficult game. It's supposed to be hard, otherwise it's simply stops being a game. The day I stop facing challenges, life will be over. It's not surprising to me that so many people around me are just walking around like zombies.

So many gamers are going back in time to find games that challenge them because the stuff that comes out now is so dumbed down and simple. The challenge here, with the quality of the game was truly satisfying. I hope this game keeps on that challenge path and CampFire Studios stands out as a leader... not the follower others are demanding you be.

[starkmaddness]

Originally posted by GrimVega:

I'm reading a lot of entitlement here of people wanting the game to be easier on harder settings so they can pretend to feel more accomplished...

Meanwhile... there are those of us that find the game too easy, I do consider this a Mid-tier difficulty game with some early design balance issues.

I'm already the Main character of my own life. I don't need a game to let me pretend, nor would I ever want that! I game for the challenge and to keep my wits and intellect sharp.

This game is a bridge between the "thanks for your money, now your a hero!" patronizing experience marketed to children as games, vs those people that understand that a game is meant to challenge us and elevate us further as individuals. To become better than we already are.

There is nothing wrong with being a difficult game. It's supposed to be hard, otherwise it's simply stops being a game. The day I stop facing challenges, life will be over. It's not surprising to me that so many people around me are just walking around like zombies.

So many gamers are going back in time to find games that challenge them because the stuff that comes out now is so dumbed down and simple. The challenge here, with the quality of the game was truly satisfying. I hope this game keeps on that challenge path and CampFire Studios stands out as a leader... not the follower others are demanding you be.

It has nothing to do with difficulty, you pretentious one.

[Propwash50]

Originally posted by starkmaddness:

"can't understand being the Soulmask"

We UNDERSTAND the 'lore' explanation, but that doesn't change the fact that many people hate the game mechanic. And gameplay trumps lore.

It is also a lame explanation because the OP doesn't understand that the mask is NOT the main character as you can swap the mask as well. So at best there is some nebulous concept of a soul that is the 'main character' that possesses masks to then possess people. Which is just dumb, a main character with no sense of identity is just bad.

We are an AI using organic (and in the future mechanical) beings to repair itself. When you switch masks the button says Transfer Awareness. Your node repairs (not unlocks) that are not mask specific follow your awareness and the masks serve as your link to these controlled beings. many of us think this is fine and a cool new take on a stale genre. Sorry you don't see it this way

[punknugget]

Originally posted by starkmaddness:

It has nothing to do with difficulty, you pretentious one.

There are a lot of comments here. You are not special.

[starkmaddness]

Originally posted by Propwash50:

Originally posted by starkmaddness:

"can't understand being the Soulmask"

We UNDERSTAND the 'lore' explanation, but that doesn't change the fact that many people hate the game mechanic. And gameplay trumps lore.

It is also a lame explanation because the OP doesn't understand that the mask is NOT the main character as you can swap the mask as well. So at best there is some nebulous concept of a soul that is the 'main character' that possesses masks to then possess people. Which is just dumb, a main character with no sense of identity is just bad.

We are an AI using organic (and in the future mechanical) beings to repair itself. When you switch masks the button says Transfer Awareness. Your node repairs (not unlocks) that are not mask specific follow your awareness and the masks serve as your link to these controlled beings. many of us think this is fine and a cool new take on a stale genre. Sorry you don't see it this way

Huh? An AI where? In the mask? So we are not a soul, we are just code that gets uploaded between masks? Why can't we run all the masks at the same time, as code can be duplicated. Also, how do you 'repair' an AI that has no physical form? Since the repairs are not tied to the mask, what is being repaired exactly? Code? Code being magically repaired by green crystals?

Lets be honest, the lore is weak and meaningless because it has major plot holes . This is really a discussion about game mechanics. And if the devs are smart they will find a way to balance the two sides.

[Malakoff]

The game's developer ZIMA stated the following:

Soulmask's concept stems from contemplating the possibility of awareness uploading, naturally leading to our current soul-and-physical-body premise.

In line with this premise, we decided to try something unconventional: a non-fixed protagonist. While this might diminish the starter character's unique emotional status as your "avatar," it allows for more diverse collection experiences and prompts players to ponder—which version is truly "you"?

Let's revisit our original protagonist, the "I": As an ordinary member of a small tribe, "I" wasn't meant to excel in combat or labor like the elite warriors of larger tribes. Had it not been for that fateful incident, you would likely have remained just another barbarian fighting to survive in the rainforest wilds.

But after narrowly escaping sacrifice, fleeing, and then obtaining the mask, "your" Soul and awareness merged with the mysterious Mask, granting true immortality—hence the name Soulmask.

In Soulmask, "an ordinary person gaining power beyond the physical form" is our core theme. Once I can possess any body or even machinery (yes, you'll eventually be able to possess machines!), how will I rise to build my own civilization? With every tribesmen being a potential vessel, is "I" the initial ordinary individual, or the entire tribe itself?

As for the once-ordinary "I's" physical form, does it still hold importance?

Yes, and no.

So their position is a mix of the positions discussed in this thread. I'm happy with the mechanics as they are now and hope they stay true to this unique direction for the game.

Not sure why so many are complaining about the MC being gimped. I've killed the Sabertooth, Berserker Sabertooth, and Frog bosses with the so called "gimped" MC. Mostly because I'd rather be able to spawn nearby at a campfire and try again as I learn the mechanics of each boss and try different approaches to how to beat them. I'm sure I'm going to use captured tribesman for the more difficult bosses.