Frost Giant Studios, the creative force behind the much-anticipated RTS, Stormgate, has recently shared exciting news regarding its first single-player campaign, set to launch in August. This announcement coincides with the game’s official exit from Steam early access, a milestone that has sparked a bit of confusion among the gaming community. The studio had initially labeled this pivotal version as “0.6,” leading some players to question whether the game was truly ready for a broader audience.
Clarifying the Confusion
In response to the feedback, Frost Giant has issued a clarification, acknowledging that the version number may have unintentionally misled players. They stated, “Players have told us that calling our exit from early access ‘0.6’ may have been well-meant, but it didn’t properly convey that Stormgate’s foundational content is complete and ready for players to enjoy. They said it was confusing, and we respect that feedback.”
To alleviate this confusion, the studio has decided to abandon the numerical versioning system. The previously designated “0.6” will now be known as the Necrolyte release, while the upcoming autumn update will be referred to as Ornithopter. Frost Giant plans to adopt a more descriptive naming convention for future updates, including smaller patches and hotfixes, which will help clarify the nature of each release. For instance, the “Griffin” build was followed by the aptly named “Griffinish-line.”
A Shift in Strategy
This new approach aims to better represent the significance of each update, moving away from the notion of arbitrary version numbers. The studio emphasizes that these updates are not merely incremental steps but meaningful enhancements to the game. However, some observers express concern that this shift may complicate the understanding of the game’s status for those who are not deeply familiar with its development.
Despite the confusion surrounding the versioning, Frost Giant’s rationale for exiting early access is straightforward. The studio believes that both the campaign and the 1v1 multiplayer mode are ready to engage a wider audience. They view this transition as a crucial step toward sustaining ongoing development, particularly given their mention of “limited resources.” This suggests a pressing need to attract new players to ensure the studio’s financial viability.
The Campaign and Future Plans
As for the content of the launch version, players can look forward to the Ashes of Earth campaign, which will feature 12 missions and a complete narrative arc. Frost Giant has also committed to expanding this campaign with additional free missions in the future. Furthermore, the studio plans to distinguish between completed and in-progress features by introducing co-op missions and an editor within an in-game “test kitchen,” dubbed Sigma Labs. Here, players will have access to modes that are still in development and will evolve over time.
While the launch of a game can often be a convoluted affair, the true measure of success lies in the enjoyment it brings to players. Given the progress Stormgate has made since its early access debut last year, the addition of a fully realized campaign and a robust multiplayer mode promises to enhance the gaming experience significantly. As the community eagerly awaits the August 5 release, the anticipation continues to build, leaving room for both excitement and uncertainty.
