The recent release of the Seekers of the Storm DLC for Risk of Rain 2 has sparked mixed reactions among fans of the co-op roguelite. With a current Steam rating of 79% ‘mostly negative’, it is evident that players have encountered significant issues with the new content. Many players have expressed frustration over the abundance of bugs and glitches that have compromised the core systems of the base game. Complaints range from a boss becoming invincible to players getting stuck while engaging with in-game elements.
Following the backlash, Gearbox, who acquired Risk of Rain from Hopoo Games in 2022, have acknowledged the concerns and released a blog post addressing the known issues. They have encouraged players to continue submitting bug reports to assist in resolving the issues. Co-creator Duncan Drummond expressed sympathy for both the fans and the developers at GBX, highlighting the challenges of introducing new content and managing the associated growing pains in real time. Despite the setbacks, Drummond remains optimistic about Gearbox’s commitment to fixing issues and listening to feedback.
Insights from Lead Programmer
ROR2’s lead programmer, co-designer, and concept artist, Jeffrey Hunt, weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the constraints faced by the DLC development team in terms of time and resources. Hunt recognized the efforts put forth by the team but also expressed regret over the rushed changes that have impacted the overall quality of their work. The collaboration with Gearbox on previous DLCs was cited as a positive experience, with particular praise for the work on new stages.
Randolph P. Itchford, another member of the development team, reassured fans on Xitter about efforts being made to address the issues and improve the overall gaming experience. Despite the current challenges, Gearbox’s history of player-focused updates and additions has generally been well-received by the community. The inclusion of free content such as lizards in previous updates has been seen as a positive indication of a thriving game. It is worth noting that Gearbox’s acquisition by Rockstar parent Take-Two earlier this year led to some organizational changes and layoffs within the company.
The release of the Seekers of the Storm DLC for Risk of Rain 2 has brought to light several challenges and areas for improvement. While there have been notable issues and setbacks, it is evident that both the development team and the player community remain dedicated to the success and longevity of the game. With ongoing efforts to address bugs, gather feedback, and implement fixes, there is hope for a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience in the future.
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