Spectre Divide's developer, Mountaintop Studios, swiftly addressed player outrage over high cosmetic prices just hours after the online FPS launched. This article details the studio's response and the ongoing player reaction.
Facing significant criticism regarding in-game pricing, Mountaintop Studios announced price cuts of 17-25% across weapons and character skins. Game director Lee Horn confirmed the reduction, implemented shortly after launch. The decision followed a wave of negative feedback triggered by the initial pricing structure.
The studio acknowledged player concerns, stating, "We've heard your feedback and are making adjustments. Weapons and outfits will see permanent price reductions of 17-25%. Players who purchased items before the change will receive a 30% SP refund." The popular Cryo Kinesis Masterpiece bundle, originally priced at approximately $85 (9,000 SP), was cited as a prime example of the overly expensive items. The 30% refund is rounded up to the nearest 100 SP.
Importantly, the Starter pack, Sponsors, and Endorsement upgrades remain unaffected. Mountaintop Studios clarified that "no adjustments will be made to these packs. However, those who purchased the Founder's or Supporter packs and these additional items will receive the extra SP added to their accounts."
While some players welcomed the price adjustments, the overall reaction remains mixed, mirroring the game's 49% negative Steam rating at the time of writing. The initial backlash included negative reviews on Steam, pushing the game's overall rating to "Mixed." Social media reflected this duality; one player expressed gratitude for the changes, while another suggested allowing individual item purchases from bundles.
Conversely, other players expressed skepticism, questioning the timing of the price reduction and expressing concerns about the game's long-term viability given the initial misstep and the potential for future competition.