what happened

[Lordimbroke]

looked like potential

[i bully ghoul haters]

Originally posted by Lordimbroke:

looked like potential

It's a really touchy subject where many cannot fully agree, but people generally think that the reason Video Horror Society failed, was that the later changes came too soon + developers never advertised the game.

[kentuckyfriedjihadi]

Dev team that was obstinate, refused to acknowledge or listen to any proposed changes from the people playing the game. Zero advertising made it near impossible for anyone to find out about the game - by the time they shut it down, you can see in some of the replies to their tweet about it that people didn't even know it was out yet. On top of that, it was difficult, albeit that's part of why I enjoyed it, but the skill floor for this was/is way higher than it is in DBD. Also, no matter how much people kept trying to say that this "wasn't a DBD clone," come on now lol everyone outside of this community saw it that way and it was and always will be compared as one.

Many of the killer/monster players felt the game was unbalanced (which personally I disagree with), but it was a big thing many people resonated with. They felt as if it was too easy for the survivor players to win, too easy to be ambushed, and counterplay as a killer was limited and or impossible. Personally again, I think this is just a skill issue, but if the majority of your community feels this way and you ignore their pleas, you're not going to get very far as a developer.

Horrid queue times (again, because no one knew the game exists) made it difficult for me to get anyone into this game. I loved it, and still do, but a wonderful project was neglected by incompetent developers.

[ForsakenM~]

As someone who for the longest time never had a chance to play the game, then we I finally could it was already going south, but stayed around in the forums and Discord server while it was active damn near every day...please do yourself a favor and ignore the overall message of the posts above me. This isn't an attack on them, but if you want to know the truth about what happened to VHS, you can't listen to anyone who says anything about lack of advertisement or that Monster being unfun was skill-related: these are both arguments brought up damn near every day while the game was alive that had little to no weight against the damning evidence to the contrary, but these views were pushed as if they were true right into the death of the game itself.

I originally wanted to make long-ass video talking about the death of this game, and if I ever manage to find the time I still might. I invested in getting gameplay clips and screenshots/links to conversations, so as someone who was *THAT* invested in the result of this game...let me speedrun this for you as best as I can.
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The first honest reveal of the game got a lot of people hyped up, and the Discord was insanely active with people asking questions and staff answering them as best they could, and there were easily thousands of active users and often times slow mode had to be engaged just to properly respond to questions. However, even then, there were doubts since the big trailer was mostly shots of Teens outplaying and taking down Monster than the other way around. But the dev team was hyping up that they learned from the mistakes of other asymm games, namely DBD (while also throwing some shade at BHVR), and DBD was at one of it's lowest points ever after multiple screw-ups...so people just were exploding at the chance to get a key for the closed beta.

Even this early on, it was being implied in the Discord and Steam forums that during the closed alpha, Monster had a lot of problems...and rumors began to spread that regardless of how you delivered your criticism, if you said that the game needed work and that Teens needed nerfed or that Monster needed buffed, primarily Teen Mains would mock you and eventually run your thread off-topic and get it locked or removed.

One of the hype killers was not giving out keys often enough, but another one was going dark so long when they had that hack happen to them. Keep in mind that basically EVERY SINGLE DBD content creator was hyping the crap out of this game and acting like it would be the big new asymm to topple DBD, even throughout all of the problems. Eventually they would come back and let a few more keys out for people to play before finally going full open beta to let anyone play, but they lost a lot of traffic by the time they did.

This was when the bubble burst, even though so many are in denial about it even now: imagine still not fixing any of the issues to make Monster fun despite having many many months before any trailers came out to do so as well as going dark for months and coming back with no solutions...and combine that with matchmaking issues and the fact that most of the people playing have been playing for damn near a year and are stomping all the new players without remorse.

In just a mere 3 months of open beta, VHS hemorrhaged the majority of it's player base and never truly recovered, and that includes having new Monsters being released making no true gains in player activity. The dev team never properly addressed the issues with Monster being unfun and constantly gave off the impression that they knew better than literally over half the player base, being very high and mighty at times. The Steam forums were burning tatters: it didn't matter if you gave really good suggestions on how to make Monster more fun to play, trolls and spammers would derail the entire thread and get it locked by causing arguments (sound familiar to the closed alpha forums?).

The dev team tried literally EVERYTHING but making worthwhile changes to Monster, and as the player base dropped into the hundreds and then even past that, they swore they could fix it and that they were passionate about this game and wanted it to succeed...and then they proceeded to abandon it.
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I did my best to keep it short, but a lot went on during VHS's run. This doesn't even cover the devs making changes to the game to make it more money-grubby and FOMO, the drama over being a sponsored Partner for the game, drama involving streamers and the devs, potential theft by the devs, the fact that it was more important to make use resources when the game was dying to make 'Pride' cosmetics then to patch the game...

It was a wild ride, and a sad one too, because the game legit had something going for it but the dev team flubbed it the entire way.

If you learn anything from this, take away these things: the dev team doesn't always know best about their game or the direction they should take with it, being good at a game doesn't mean you are having fun playing it, and much like what is going on right now with game companies losing tons of money - going against your audience because you think you know better isn't the move to make if you want to succeed.

[Clown]

The foundation of the game was not strong or balanced enough, this would be fixable on its own, but the community surrounding the game quickly developed into a minefield of toxic positivity. Mostly due to the less than stellar choices of moderators, people who posted flavorful but much needed criticism were banned and had their posts deleted.

This all lead to major issue either going completely unaddressed, ineffectively addressed, or addressed far too late into the game's life cycle. Hellbent tried to coast by on gorgeous visuals, their own echo chamber, and patchwork fixes for massive leaks.

They dug their grave, fired anyone who tried to tell them to stop digging, and then they kept digging until they died from exhaustion, the audience long since gone. Potential was great, and wasted. Now some company will sit on the IP doing jack with it.

[ForsakenM~]

Originally posted by Clown:

The foundation of the game was not strong or balanced enough, this would be fixable on its own, but the community surrounding the game quickly developed into a minefield of toxic positivity. Mostly due to the less than stellar choices of moderators, people who posted flavorful but much needed criticism were banned and had their posts deleted.

This all lead to major issue either going completely unaddressed, ineffectively addressed, or addressed far too late into the game's life cycle. Hellbent tried to coast by on gorgeous visuals, their own echo chamber, and patchwork fixes for massive leaks.

They dug their grave, fired anyone who tried to tell them to stop digging, and then they kept digging until they died from exhaustion, the audience long since gone. Potential was great, and wasted. Now some company will sit on the IP doing jack with it.

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[kentuckyfriedjihadi]

Originally posted by ForsakenM~:

Originally posted by Clown:

The foundation of the game was not strong or balanced enough, this would be fixable on its own, but the community surrounding the game quickly developed into a minefield of toxic positivity. Mostly due to the less than stellar choices of moderators, people who posted flavorful but much needed criticism were banned and had their posts deleted.

This all lead to major issue either going completely unaddressed, ineffectively addressed, or addressed far too late into the game's life cycle. Hellbent tried to coast by on gorgeous visuals, their own echo chamber, and patchwork fixes for massive leaks.

They dug their grave, fired anyone who tried to tell them to stop digging, and then they kept digging until they died from exhaustion, the audience long since gone. Potential was great, and wasted. Now some company will sit on the IP doing jack with it.

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

They didn't advertise though, and there really weren't enough players - I loved this game but waiting upward of 40 minutes for one match is not something most people were willing to do

[Clown]

Originally posted by ForsakenM~:

Originally posted by Clown:

The foundation of the game was not strong or balanced enough, this would be fixable on its own, but the community surrounding the game quickly developed into a minefield of toxic positivity. Mostly due to the less than stellar choices of moderators, people who posted flavorful but much needed criticism were banned and had their posts deleted.

This all lead to major issue either going completely unaddressed, ineffectively addressed, or addressed far too late into the game's life cycle. Hellbent tried to coast by on gorgeous visuals, their own echo chamber, and patchwork fixes for massive leaks.

They dug their grave, fired anyone who tried to tell them to stop digging, and then they kept digging until they died from exhaustion, the audience long since gone. Potential was great, and wasted. Now some company will sit on the IP doing jack with it.

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Such is the way of the world. Lack of advertising was one factor of many that contributed to the downfall, but to say it's the sole cause is foolish.

[i bully ghoul haters]

Originally posted by Clown:

Originally posted by ForsakenM~:

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Such is the way of the world. Lack of advertising was one factor of many that contributed to the downfall, but to say it's the sole cause is foolish.

Yeah, according to you, it was "appealing to the """"PRONOUN WARRIORS""""" and "gOinG WoKE"", right?

Please leave, you were better off gone.

[i bully ghoul haters]

Originally posted by ForsakenM~:

Originally posted by Clown:

The foundation of the game was not strong or balanced enough, this would be fixable on its own, but the community surrounding the game quickly developed into a minefield of toxic positivity. Mostly due to the less than stellar choices of moderators, people who posted flavorful but much needed criticism were banned and had their posts deleted.

This all lead to major issue either going completely unaddressed, ineffectively addressed, or addressed far too late into the game's life cycle. Hellbent tried to coast by on gorgeous visuals, their own echo chamber, and patchwork fixes for massive leaks.

They dug their grave, fired anyone who tried to tell them to stop digging, and then they kept digging until they died from exhaustion, the audience long since gone. Potential was great, and wasted. Now some company will sit on the IP doing jack with it.

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Nope, not really. Nobody here said the "monster too strong", and only 2-5 (mostly smaller) creators like Jaeeee left DBD for VHS, most DBD creators did a single video on VHS and that was it.

People had meant advertising OUTSIDE of the asym sphere + DBD crowd and not just relying on word of mouth + DBD Youtubers. Tarkov is alive despite it's many, many issues and appealing mostly to heavy FPS players.

Also Clown is a bigot, I'd stop being friendly with them.

[Lordimbroke]

Originally posted by bubbascal:

Originally posted by ForsakenM~:

Long time no see, Clown.

As you can see, people are still being incredibly revisionist when talking about VHS, even going so far as selling to people who have no idea the lie that Monster was too strong and that is what killed VHS.

Still spreading the 'never advertised, not enough players' lie too.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Nope, not really. Nobody here said the "monster too strong", and only 2-5 (mostly smaller) creators like Jaeeee left DBD for VHS, most DBD creators did a single video on VHS and that was it.

People had meant advertising OUTSIDE of the asym sphere + DBD crowd and not just relying on word of mouth + DBD Youtubers. Tarkov is alive despite it's many, many issues and appealing mostly to heavy FPS players.

Also Clown is a bigot, I'd stop being friendly with them.

lol the fact yall know each other and hate each other, wish i could play this even if its offline with bots

[Clown]

Originally posted by Lordimbroke:

Originally posted by bubbascal:

Nope, not really. Nobody here said the "monster too strong", and only 2-5 (mostly smaller) creators like Jaeeee left DBD for VHS, most DBD creators did a single video on VHS and that was it.

People had meant advertising OUTSIDE of the asym sphere + DBD crowd and not just relying on word of mouth + DBD Youtubers. Tarkov is alive despite it's many, many issues and appealing mostly to heavy FPS players.

Also Clown is a bigot, I'd stop being friendly with them.

lol the fact yall know each other and hate each other, wish i could play this even if its offline with bots

I don't hate Bubba, he's just someone obsessed with posting lies and non-sense any time I happen to comment or make a discussion about this game.

Last I heard, there was a project that allowed you to play this game, even with others. VHS Evil Never Dies, I believe it is pinned as the top discussion on these forums. I wish you the best of luck in getting it up and running, enjoy your time with the game.

[Laukozins]

hahah

[i bully ghoul haters]

Originally posted by Lordimbroke:

Originally posted by bubbascal:

Nope, not really. Nobody here said the "monster too strong", and only 2-5 (mostly smaller) creators like Jaeeee left DBD for VHS, most DBD creators did a single video on VHS and that was it.

People had meant advertising OUTSIDE of the asym sphere + DBD crowd and not just relying on word of mouth + DBD Youtubers. Tarkov is alive despite it's many, many issues and appealing mostly to heavy FPS players.

Also Clown is a bigot, I'd stop being friendly with them.

lol the fact yall know each other and hate each other, wish i could play this even if its offline with bots

There is a project that revived the game: https://steamcommunity.com/app/611360/discussions/0/3879345465233248987/

We played a few matches just tonight, if you want to play you totally can, just boot up the game and go to customs.

[i bully ghoul haters]

Originally posted by Clown:

Originally posted by Lordimbroke:

lol the fact yall know each other and hate each other, wish i could play this even if its offline with bots

I don't hate Bubba, he's just someone obsessed with posting lies and non-sense any time I happen to comment or make a discussion about this game.

Last I heard, there was a project that allowed you to play this game, even with others. VHS Evil Never Dies, I believe it is pinned as the top discussion on these forums. I wish you the best of luck in getting it up and running, enjoy your time with the game.

So this is your angle because you knew how I caught you? Play dumb and pretend I didn't prove that time that you're a bigot?

Would be such a shame if I proved it again, not like I still have the evidence or anything... oh wait! https://imgur.com/TeM63dt

Yeah, maybe this typical conservative arguing style works in your ♥♥♥♥ hole Twitter echo chambers or certain gaming fringe sites. But not here. Sorry about that!

[ForsakenM~]

Originally posted by bubbascal:

Nope, not really. Nobody here said the "monster too strong", and only 2-5 (mostly smaller) creators like Jaeeee left DBD for VHS, most DBD creators did a single video on VHS and that was it.

People had meant advertising OUTSIDE of the asym sphere + DBD crowd and not just relying on word of mouth + DBD Youtubers. Tarkov is alive despite it's many, many issues and appealing mostly to heavy FPS players.

Also Clown is a bigot, I'd stop being friendly with them.

Hey, is this you?

~"bubbascal has Video Horror Society Jun 14, 2024 @ 10:11pm
Oh wow, I forgot to reply to their reply. It was a dumpster fire though so nothing missed lmao

Anyways, ♥♥♥♥ bigots. #Pride2024 <3"~

Originally posted by bubbascal:

Originally posted by Clown:

I don't hate Bubba, he's just someone obsessed with posting lies and non-sense any time I happen to comment or make a discussion about this game.

Last I heard, there was a project that allowed you to play this game, even with others. VHS Evil Never Dies, I believe it is pinned as the top discussion on these forums. I wish you the best of luck in getting it up and running, enjoy your time with the game.

So this is your angle because you knew how I caught you? Play dumb and pretend I didn't prove that time that you're a bigot?

Would be such a shame if I proved it again, not like I still have the evidence or anything... oh wait! https://imgur.com/TeM63dt

Yeah, maybe this typical conservative arguing style works in your ♥♥♥♥ hole Twitter echo chambers or certain gaming fringe sites. But not here. Sorry about that!

Oh yeah, definitely was you.

Listen man, I could just type you are 'on the wrong side of history' with sarcasm and let things be with that alone, but I'll give you a bit more than that...but I'm tired, so I will speedrun it, even though none of this matters because your response to my VERY long but reasonable post was that quote from you in June 2024.

Clown isn't a bigot, the term bigot is like many other terms that have gone from meaning something to meaning 'person I dislike and agree with', I literally found two recent posts here saying monster was too strong and that killed the game, more creators left DBD for VHS than that but I was referring to how the entire DBD community was giving free advertising for VHS and the game had plenty of players during the initial open beta but lost them because their balance was trash and too many people mastered the game and abused new players. Sure the could have tried more typical advertising but all those new players would have suffered at the hands of the pro players all the same, advertising would never have fixed VHS.

And to summarize, Clown has a point: when your game is dying, you shouldn't be focusing your time and effort on making new cosmetic content for purchase, let alone politcally-charged and controversial content at time where gamers were already sick of that stuff.

You will likely ignore this post, but understand you harassing people and throughing out slanderous buzzwords makes you look unhinged and only pushes the current movement in the gaming sphere forward.