Well, they can't be assed to fully support a non-Steam version, and I can't be assed to give them any money. I guess we're even then. =/

micror transaction is already a bad thing in itself, a clear threat to players and consumers.

It always revolve around very shady and despicable twists in gamedesign and gameplay that are only built upon this very idea; and usually it is associated with mobile market because that's where the consumers players are the least aware, least vigilant or knowful and easily milkable with the convenient help of commmunication operators...

but also microtransactions comes with a mandatory beast: online separate account in publisher's external servers... Both to keep track of what you paid and what is attached to your account/game and to also harvest datas to sell to third parties.
and when a game is tied to an external online service... it's de facto a classical form of DRM !
I mean, "always online" and "you're screwed if our server has tech issues, bad connexion or simply shut down because we want to move on another flock to milk again" are not exactly possible to stick together with the very concept of any kind of DRM-Free experience... I mean: what happens the day my dsl connexion is down for any reason ? i cant play my game. And most of the stuff that usually bothers me on steam games as well...

If it was "just" only that, it would already be a clear hideaous monster to flee...

but there are unnecessary collateral damages to expect from such stuff: BAD PC PORTS from mobile platforms, without any aknowledgment about UI, tech specs and features of any basic computer with peripherals like kb and mouse

and that adds a double punishment to already bad games

I clearly wouldnt like to see GOG invaded by such shitty stuff already, but as it will happen, i would clearly want GOG to be very clear and openly disclosing about it

Better idea, gog: i want account-tied FILTERS to gog store/catalog that can be toggled always on/off and not only during a display session, to exclude from m view (if i want)
- Early access games
- Micro transaction games
- personal custom filter for "hall of shame developpers" that treated me like a lowlife peasant already, so i'd rather not buy one of their new (yet later announced to be crippled) game here


so i can browse and purchase in this store in peace
The sarcasm is strong in this fellow... I like that quite much ! Thank you for the genuine smile

The worst part is that, whilst LoG are kicking the people who bought the GOG version of Armello in the teeth, they are giving away the brand new DLC to some Steam users for FREE.

http://steamcommunity.com/app/290340/discussions/0/359547436763595827/


Need to keep them happy, and the micro-transactions rolling-in. :P

I refrained from going into detail about the micro-transactions the other day, but since it's become relevant now, here's what they're doing:

"- Spoils of War chests and keys will now drop at the end of Public Multiplayer games instead of the Wyld chests and keys.
- These chests and keys will also be available for purchase through our Steam Item Store for US$1.49 each. You can access this via Inventory or our Steam store page.
- Chests and keys will still be tradable and marketable on the Steam marketplace. "

http://steamcommunity.com/games/290340/announcements/detail/604992896814714655

So, what do these chests contain?

http://steamcommunity.com/games/290340/announcements/detail/603866480482148376

Skins for your dice, apparently. Although it sounds like the dice might be somewhat rare, and there might be something else more common from them. Probably steam inventory nonsense, but I can find few other details on the chest contents.

From the sounds of it, they are doing some sort of seasonal thing where the old dice skins that are available one season supposedly stop dropping their chests and keys, leaving some users with chests that have no key to them, and are forced to trade for the keys with other players, who jack up the price on the now impossible-to-get old seasonal keys. Here was a post from a steam user about it:

"The price of wyld keys has tripled since the set was retired. Meanwhile the price of Wyld Keys (probably meant chests) remains unchanged. LoG insists that it's a 50% chance for either and there should be an even amount of both. So why does a key cost 1250% more than a chest.

I still have three wyld chests and I guess they're gonna stay very closed for a while. "

http://steamcommunity.com/app/290340/discussions/0/361798516951982824/

So, it sounds like the system basically sucks.

Oh, and I just found this out not too long ago, but it turns out that there are four heroes in the game that are exclusively locked to backers who paid $45 AUD or more to get into the "Bandit" tier. So, unless they're still taking those paypal donations on the kickstarter page, then those heroes are locked, and you're definitely not getting them by buying the base game for the normal $20.

From their kickstarter FAQ

"Is the Bandit tier the only way to get the Bandit Clan Heroes? Or will they later be available in-game?

Being a Bandit backer or higher is the ONLY way to get access to the awesome Bandit Clan Heroes. When we say Backer Exclusive, we mean it. Consider it a thank you for being awesome!"

(See "Kickstarter FAQ 1", attached to post)

The Armello wiki seems to confirm that information is still true.

"Currently, all Bandit Clan Heroes are exclusively available to those who pledged a particular amount during the Armello Kickstarter campaign, or afterward as "Slacker Backers" via PayPal"

http://armello.wikia.com/wiki/Bandit_Clan

So, why is the DLC so pricey, and why are the micro-transactions present in a $20 game? Well, probably to pay their over-sized indie team. From their kickstarter FAQ once more:

"Are you guys really indie? You said you have a team of over 30.

Sure are! We've only just found a space in a shared game development hub. Most of us don’t work on Armello for pay. In fact, we put our money into development costs and have not signed a single publisher’s contract.

We might have a larger team but we’re totally slumming it! This is a passion project and we’re totally free to be as creative and original as our dreams allow. Working out of hours, for no pay, on your dream project for over almost three years? That sounds pretty indie. :)"

(See "Kickstarter FAQ 2", attached to post)

I guess that didn't last, huh? I don't know if they're still a giant team, but I guess that the GoG version just wasn't making them enough money for them to continue caring, even though, with a team that size, I'm certain they have more than enough people that they can spare a few to update the DRM-free version once in a while.

It's all just...a giant mess.

I have to say, I was really excited for this game in the past. Back before it came out, I watched video after video in a full playlist of matches of the game in early access, watching it go through its development, and witnessing how the multiplayer played out. Just getting to see how much more interesting it was than the single player, with people waiting to play cards at the right time while giggling to themselves, knowing they were going to mess with the other player in a big way. That's all I wanted, was that game.

Proper offline multiplayer for those of us who would use it, and a full-package game that isn't worse than any other version of the game. Why is this no longer seen as a standard to be met in the eyes of some developers?

By the way, we're one of the only versions getting shafted.

"Armello's first major DLC available August 30 on PS4, Xbox One & Steam."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Enq3fAUnps

I want to believe GOG is also clearly aware that they can count on us NOT to be as diplomatic as they are and to flame their shameful partners...

It's even better if you start reading it with the voice of John Cleese in mind. :P

That would be pretty funny if it becoming more than a trend wasn't quite depressing... you still get a +1 from me, though.



I hope you don't seriously expect anyone to show up in here, do you?

Hey, people!!

Let's all forget about those "League of Geeks" loosers , let Armello rot on its DRM shit and let's focus on the new Titan Quest, instead! :)

Wow, thanks for the info.

So they are exactly looking to buy passage on the IAP gravy train with meaningless limited/collectable skins and Borderlands-style chest keys. So much easier than making and supporting a compelling game.

Good riddance.

Nothing wrong with it if it was promised to backers of their Kickstarter, though wonder what backers that use GOG get.
Did they even give GOG codes to their backers?

Why not XD
For now,I'm not sure to want to buy more new games here.
It would help to see a blue.

Or GoG can be my "second class" shop like I'm a second class buyer ^^

Is it too hopeful to wish for a slightly cheaper DRM-free version of the DLC without the microtrasactions? Just the new heroes and rings?

Probably :(

Probably didn't sell enough here to warrant the extra work. Then the complaints about no multiplayer matching service for gog purchases, but the other platforms have it built in so they could use it and not write their own. Seems like a lot of gog users expect every game to write their own match making service because they despise any use of something like the gog client. In my opinion, the gog user base isn't worth it for new development.

Apparently, yes.

I hope GOG does not allow this to become a trend. It's downright ridiculous for Armello's developer to claim you can't sell DLC on GOG.