Solution For The Water Mechanic WITHOUT Getting Rid Of The Intended Vision

[|_| Clyax]

I have a way to solve the water mechanic to keep it pressing in the players' minds while also not pushing players away for losing their work. Players and devs are split on this, I know. If the original idea of having a player be anxious from not playing because they may lose their progress is a necessary feature, then this is a way to keep it without having to lose much on either side. Players who want to enjoy Forever Winter but haven't bought it yet because of the current water mechanic would then be able to finally buy and enjoy the game.

You know how some players leave a video game save for a while, and then they come back to it and want to replay the tutorial or early game to relearn the game? What if you did something like that.

The method is this: once the water level goes down, the equipment stays, but the NPCs all leave save for one. That NPC could say something like "Well, here we were thinking you retired," or something. Then this NPC will give you quests designed for returning players to relearn the game, or players can skip it and try on their own, but give bold players who initially ignore it the option to go back and accept the return-tutorial quest.

The benefit of this is that it would let people who want to buy the game, but don't because of the current water mechanic, finally buy the game so they can enjoy it the way they want. It also would allow for your developer vision of a constantly ticking clock and the players' desire to keep playing the game.

Without something like this, the potential players such as myself would not purchase Forever Winter, and we'd continue to miss out on enjoying the revolutionary experience you have created. It's unfortunate this one aspect would keep so many from loving the game you made. This compromise can solve this.

I hope this suggestion helps guide your creative process to improve the game and let even more people enjoy it.

[Lord-Captain Mikorius]

There is a simpler solution: optional toggle option. everyone gets what they want, and can play the way they want. have seperate save files or profiles or whatever.

[|_| Clyax]

Originally posted by Lord-Captain Mikorius:

There is a simpler solution: optional toggle option. everyone gets what they want, and can play the way they want. have seperate save files or profiles or whatever.

I thought about this, and while I would be in favor of this, I understand that the devs are the ones making this choice. If they don't want to remove the intended vision, then the next best thing is to convince them that they and the players can compromise. I would like there to be a way to not have this, but nothing short of cracking the game and removing it will let the players have that choice.

Convincing the devs is the only way, and I wanted to present a compromise in case they weren't convinced to make it optional. You're right that making it optional would be the simpler way.

[Lord-Captain Mikorius]

I see, yeah I think I'd be happy with doin things your way. That is to say, I'd be willing to subscribe to it. I can think of many alternatives that would solve the problem, and would satisfy me as well.

[RaideR]

Just get a Tears distillation
And everyone will have unlimited supplies of water

[|_| Clyax]

Originally posted by Lord-Captain Mikorius:

I see, yeah I think I'd be happy with doin things your way. That is to say, I'd be willing to subscribe to it. I can think of many alternatives that would solve the problem, and would satisfy me as well.

I'm curious. If the water mechanic as it is now was optional, what would be the reward for assuming the difficulty? I know some people would want it just to feel like they're on hard mode, but what if there was a reward to incentivize players to go along with that initial vision of constant anxiety about the game?

What would incentivize players to take on more challenge?

[Lord-Captain Mikorius]

I suppose it would be something akin to an Ironman Save. Bragging rights, achievements, and the feeling that you are experiencing the game "the way it was intended". This game is clearly filled with artistic statements from the devs, the Water Degradation mechanic is clearly one such artistic statement, from what I heard the devs say about it. So I suppose activating that mode would be you choosing to be apart of that preformative art. Ive already seen people say theyre getting bored, and the game just released, the mode would be an additional challenge to spice it up for them i guess. Besides, there are plenty of games that give no additional rewards for raising the difficulty.

[|_| Clyax]

Originally posted by Lord-Captain Mikorius:

I suppose it would be something akin to an Ironman Save. Bragging rights, achievements, and the feeling that you are experiencing the game "the way it was intended". This game is clearly filled with artistic statements from the devs, the Water Degradation mechanic is clearly one such artistic statement, from what I heard the devs say about it. So I suppose activating that mode would be you choosing to be apart of that preformative art. Ive already seen people say theyre getting bored, and the game just released, the mode would be an additional challenge to spice it up for them i guess. Besides, there are plenty of games that give no additional rewards for raising the difficulty.

I don't know. I love achievement hunting, but if the difficulty is too high I just feel like I hit a wall. I'd miss out on them if the game gets achievements.

[Lord-Captain Mikorius]

Originally posted by |_| Clyax:

Originally posted by Lord-Captain Mikorius:

I suppose it would be something akin to an Ironman Save. Bragging rights, achievements, and the feeling that you are experiencing the game "the way it was intended". This game is clearly filled with artistic statements from the devs, the Water Degradation mechanic is clearly one such artistic statement, from what I heard the devs say about it. So I suppose activating that mode would be you choosing to be apart of that preformative art. Ive already seen people say theyre getting bored, and the game just released, the mode would be an additional challenge to spice it up for them i guess. Besides, there are plenty of games that give no additional rewards for raising the difficulty.

I don't know. I love achievement hunting, but if the difficulty is too high I just feel like I hit a wall. I'd miss out on them if the game gets achievements.

Thats fine man, I get that. Play however you like, I dont wanna force anybody to do anything. Its just an simple option, im open to certain alternative solutions too.