To whom it may concern;
I first like to congratulate you on the release of this title, and the success you've had in sales in the UK, and a generally good opinion by reviewers.
I myself do not have any ties to the development of games, or associated businesses but after much time on community sites I feel that I should bring forward people's concerns about your title.
I hope you will take this as a constructive criticism opposed to a bashing about all your hard work, maybe in a patch or a community update you could restore faith in the title and its IP.
Please take these notes as feedback from the community opposed to a biased view from one individual. I hope you could respond to this e-mail with answers to these questions so I can act as an intermediary with the communities, and inform them that you are indeed on the case.
1)
One of the most talked about issues is the lack of a crouch button; on numerous occasions being able to duck down behind something would have been invaluable. People are lost as to how such an important feature was not featured in this title. Numerous times people have been blown apart as there in a tight position but unable to duck.
2)
Trophy Kills, while an excellent feature it does have its drawbacks. One of them is the 'Conga' phenomenon whereby a TK animation is running they wait till it's finished then TK the person who just finished, unfortunately online this is leading to people almost forming a queue behind the Trophy kill in progress.
2a) People have suggested that TK's can be interrupted, by the person who instigated if there aware of someone sneaking up on them, possibly making TK's worth extra XP, but if interrupted or cancelled will negate the XP they would have gained, and only a complete TK will result in XP.
2b) Also some have suggested that a 'Gears of War' style button mash to decide the fate of a Trophy killer and his/her Victim, as people are disgruntled that if you get pulled into a TK your pretty helpless against your attacker, and suffer damage from getting them off? which is so hit and miss it's a scenario where most don't even bother trying. when in real life you'd fight back, not really get hurt from kicking them off, and only Stealth kills would be without a fight, as you'd not see the killing blow coming, against most said they should be far quicker and not a raw out animation.
3)
People who have played the original series where disappointed that the weapons have been changed too much.
3a) The spear is seen as a hand to hand weapon with equal damage to the wrist blades but can also be thrown if needed.
3b) Some have commented on the Disc, and how they'd like to see the disc returning to work like the original throwing it auto lock on, and if it gets stuck in a surface requires energy to return.
3c) The Flamethrower is almost classed as pointless, either make it more powerful, or possibly make it blind the person who is on fire, making them vulnerable.
3d) A few have complained about the Smart gun sound, a lot voiced wishes for the film sound to return.
3e) Lots of people have complained about the lack of some of the favourite weapons like the net gun, and the grenade launcher, people would like to see them return.
4)
The survivor idea was excellent but maps were criticised for being too small, and unimaginative, and definitely not enough.
People feel that this idea was rushed or held back purposefully to DLC opportunities, I think with a free update of another 4 maps would settle your sceptics and people would happily pay for more after that.
5)
Dedicated Servers, while you say these are in the works, people are tearing you and the title to pieces out of frustration with the matchmaking system in place, you should make a statement regarding the situation and when the community should expect its arrival. An official statement will definitely settle the waves currently being made in the forums, this will also reassure people starting to distrust the statement you previously made about the dedicated servers.
6)
Title Support, people have been reading the Gamespy article regarding your success with AVP and the sequel. A Large majority feel that you've hung them out to dry, with no future support for the title since your already talking about a sequel. The community feels that the title requires some work as it's not as good as the two previous titles, from balancing issues, to the lack of multiplayer maps, and additions like the extra weapons. There is a distinct line of thought of boycotting your next title due to this one, not being what people were expecting, and that you're not supporting the title in the immediate future.
7)
While the community appreciate that the issue of balance is very important, one comment which keeps coming up, is that the game isn't 'Fun' anymore, you've done a great job making a new modern game, but through the lack of marine weapons, and predator weapons, to maps, and some gameplay issues it's not what the community were expecting nor are they really getting into it. The community would like to see a game well balanced but more 'fun' I appreciate the trouble this can be to do, the consensus is that the game has been simplified too much for the casual user, which has ruined the 'feel'
PC users feel particularly disgruntled, as they are used to a much more completed feel and thought the game wasn't polished missing some of the best bits?
Xbox/PS3 users think the game is good, but will didn't think it was fully realised.
Most comments were from PC players, but Xbox players too commented on these points too.
Best Regards,
Luke Taylor (Athlonix)
