Will this game be updated in the future?

[BBWags]

I was wondering if SM is likely to receive the paradox treatment of continual updates/upgrades and even core mechanic changes seein as it wasn’t actually developed by Paradox.

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m LOVING this game right now, but I’m seeing so many ways both big and small that it could be even better. Basically every aspect could be deeper and more micro-manageable (either because currently the systems to do so aren’t in place or they’re super cumbersome).

Again, Surviving Mars is worth the $35 I paid for it. This is not a rant or complaint thread. BUT there is SO MUCH that could be done with this game to make it so very much more awesome.

Will SM be updated in any meaningful ways in the future, do you think? (And I mean more than expansions that add new content but don’t actually deepen or change or build on what’s already there.)

 

[Chaon]

Nope. This is the final version of the game. It will not get any patches or improvements.

They got your money so there is no need to do anything like patch bugs or improve the game.

/joke, /sarcasm.

Yes there will probably be a few patches and improvements made to the game. They want people to buy it still and if they abandon it now, then the reviews will say that and they will lose a lot of future revenue.

 

[BBWags]

I can appreciate the joking way you started your post, but honestly some companies could easily view it that way. I do appreciate that with the advent of early access and expansions and patches in general, companies are more and more being forced to constantly improve their products even after release to keep up with the market. I really hope this happens with SM. Honestly it could use a 2.0 like Stellaris got, not so much in changing the games fundamentals, but in deepening and expanding them.

 

[Ivan-Assen]

We certainly hope so, yes.

 

[Kwami]

Given that Paradox is selling a season pass that promises two content packs and two expansions, SM better be updated in the future.

 

[BBWags]

We certainly hope so, yes.

Thank you for the reply! I know you may not be able / willing to answer this with much specificity, but do you think you’d be willing to expand upon/ revamp/ deepen some of the core systems such as “inventory” management (setting limits to how many resources you want stored in any given stockpile... loved this feature in Dwarf Fortress), colonist placement in dimes and jobs, ease of assigning drones, etc...

Huge fingers crossed . I do love your game, btw!

 

[Ivan-Assen]

I obviously can't go into specifics - partly because I don't know them yet! - but I think the overall stance of Paradox on this can be inferred from Stellaris.

 

[BBWags]

I obviously can't go into specifics - partly because I don't know them yet! - but I think the overall stance of Paradox on this can be inferred from Stellaris.

You have no idea how happy this makes me! This game is really good as it stands, but it’s far from perfect. Thinking/knowing that it will receive just as much attention as other Paradox titles to work out the kinks and shore up it’s weaknesses makes me look forward to years of enjoyment with it. And yes, I’d happily shell out the space bucks for those updates, just like I have for stellaris and EU4!!

Thank you for replying! My respect for your studio grows and grows! Don’t let me/us down!

 

[Ivan-Assen]

Just in case I sounded like I promised too much, let's recap:

- we will certainly do the stuff promised in the season's pass/first colony edition
- I personally hope for the game to be successful, and to get more updates after that - but this is still away and uncertain
- if the game receives updates, they will not necessary be limited to content, as Paradox has shown with Stellaris they aren't afraid of deeper changes

 

[BBWags]

Just in case I sounded like I promised too much, let's recap:

- we will certainly do the stuff promised in the season's pass/first colony edition
- I personally hope for the game to be successful, and to get more updates after that - but this is still away and uncertain
- if the game receives updates, they will not necessary be limited to content, as Paradox has shown with Stellaris they aren't afraid of deeper changes

Thanks for the clarification. It stands to reason that if the game isn’t as successful as one might hope, it’s hard to put more resources into it. Caution concerning expectations duly noted.

But I do hope Paradox/Haemimont (whoever signs the checks) realize the true gem they have on their hands. But like any gem, it will take some cutting and polishing and general refining for its true brilliance and beauty to shine through, and that’s when the real value becomes obvious (lots of $$ thrown at the development/production studios by extremely happy and eager players!)!

 

[Tavior]

Just in case I sounded like I promised too much, let's recap:

- we will certainly do the stuff promised in the season's pass/first colony edition
- I personally hope for the game to be successful, and to get more updates after that - but this is still away and uncertain
- if the game receives updates, they will not necessary be limited to content, as Paradox has shown with Stellaris they aren't afraid of deeper changes

Actually Stellaris' reworked FTL wasn't without it's share of contention debate that are still ongoing.

That aside, I am more looking forward to this game even if there are some serious flaws that need fixing.

 

[Mauer]

I'm really enjoying the game and got the first colony edition, so I hope the sales are good and you can continue expanding it much more than the season pass stuff!

 

[Promethian]

Paradox has an official business strategy. It was laid out in one of their videos with the guys talking about the business of making games. I can't seem to find them at the moment but my quick from memory summary is: They require everybody who publishes with them to have plans for future development of the game which they must lay out for the publishers before they even sign on.

As for what the result of that policy looks like. Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Cities Skylines, Stellaris. Games that were initially released years ago getting updates and DLC still to this day.

 

[BBWags]

Paradox has an official business strategy. It was laid out in one of their videos with the guys talking about the business of making games. I can't seem to find them at the moment but my quick from memory summary is: They require everybody who publishes with them to have plans for future development of the game which they must lay out for the publishers before they even sign on.

As for what the result of that policy looks like. Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Cities Skylines, Stellaris. Games that were initially released years ago getting updates and DLC still to this day.

If a game bombs during its initial release I can see how they might need to cut their losses, but I’m going to bank on what you’ve described. If three years from now Surviving Mars has received as much attention as the other games you’ve listed then I will look forward to playing an AWESOME game for many years to come after that.

 

[PaulMClem]

If a game bombs during its initial release

If this game bombs then that will be a real shame. However, I feel that won't be the case. It will receive plenty of TLC from the devs and modders alike. The base concept is excellent and this time next year the game will have moved up a couple of levels. If people still don't like it by that point then perhaps it's just not the game for them. Plenty of other games to choose from.

 

[RickMP80]

There is yet a season pass for new add

 

[MishaTX]

Why wouldn't it be updated? HoI 4 (any resemblance to actual historical events entirely coincidental) is still being updated, isn't it? Although, in its defense, I will say that it's the most graphically impressive iteration of Axis and Allies that I've ever seen.

 

[PaulMClem]

With regards to updates I'd like a Colonists overview screen which shows me everyone in a particular dome i.e. name down the left, and various columns of stats. At the moment I have to cycle through colonists to see who is doing what, their mood, issues etc. I enjoy the colonist management side of the game so I'd like this info to be more at hand and easier to scan at a glance. Sounds like a mod to me if the devs don't do it.

ps. Is there a way to see this info already

 

[Kamadas]

Actually Stellaris' reworked FTL wasn't without it's share of contention debate that are still ongoing.

Watched a friend playing it and all he did was making outposts (or whatever the name is) on every system around their own ones and making resource gathering stuff (sorry don't know the names) on planetary bodies. Let's just say he went back playing the previous version...

 

[MishaTX]

Is there a way to see this info already

Not that I know of, but I'd love a feature like that too!

Currently, finding a particular colonist is a tedious hell of clicking.