Once Human dev says some recent player feedback ‘has been quite demoralizing’

Player Engagement and Feedback Dynamics

Once Human, the free-to-play survival MMO, has garnered significant attention since its July launch, with our review highlighting its depth and the surprisingly engaging nature of its gameplay. The game has received a “mostly positive” rating on Steam, and it continues to attract over 100,000 concurrent daily players, indicating a robust player base and a warm reception in the gaming community.

However, not all is smooth sailing for developer Starry Studio. The studio has acknowledged that player feedback has not been entirely positive, prompting them to conduct a brief survey. This survey invites players to express their preferences regarding gameplay modes—whether they lean towards PvE or PvP—and to share their desired difficulty levels, ranging from easier experiences to more challenging ones, or even a balanced approach reminiscent of Goldilocks.

In an effort to delve deeper into the feedback landscape, I sought out some of the “demoralizing” comments that players have shared. Interestingly, I found a scarcity of complaints regarding weapon builds or the scenarios introduced in Season 2. This could be attributed to the structure of the official Discord channel, where feedback is directed straight to the developers without being publicly displayed. However, some recent negative reviews on Steam have pointed out issues with the game’s server management, particularly the frequent server wipes, which echo similar frustrations seen in other survival games like Rust. This aspect resonates with many players, including myself, as the resetting of bases and gear can detract from the overall experience, despite the understanding of its necessity for game balance.

Despite these challenges, Once Human appears to be maintaining its momentum as one of the standout titles of 2024. A glance at the reactions on Discord reveals a mix of sentiments; while there are a few clown emojis in response to the developers’ announcements, the overwhelming presence of heart emojis suggests that the community remains largely supportive. In the realm of gaming, that balance of feedback speaks volumes about the game’s ongoing appeal and potential for growth.

AppWizard
Once Human dev says some recent player feedback 'has been quite demoralizing'