Mountaintop Studios, the developers behind the newly released FPS, Spectre Divide, have announced significant price reductions for in-game skins and bundles following immediate player backlash over their initial cost. The announcement, made mere hours after launch, addresses widespread criticism regarding the game's monetization strategy.
Price Cuts and Refunds
Game director Lee Horn revealed a price decrease of 17-25% across weapons and outfits. The studio's statement acknowledged player feedback, stating, "We've heard your feedback and we're making changes. Weapons & Outfits will be permanently decreasing in price by 17-25%. Players who purchased store items before the change will get a 30% SP [in-game currency] refund." Refunds are rounded up to the nearest 100 SP.
Importantly, the price adjustments exclude Starter packs, Sponsorships, and Endorsement upgrades. Mountaintop Studios clarified that these will remain unchanged, but players who purchased these alongside Founder's or Supporter packs will receive the additional SP refund credited to their accounts.
Mixed Reactions and Steam Reviews
Despite the price adjustments, player reactions remain divided, mirroring the game's current "Mixed" rating on Steam (49% Negative at the time of writing). While some appreciate the developer's responsiveness, others criticize the reactive nature of the change and express concerns about the game's long-term viability in a competitive free-to-play market. Social media comments range from cautious optimism ("Def not enough but it’s a start!") to suggestions for further improvements (e.g., allowing individual item purchases from bundles). Skepticism persists, with some players questioning whether the damage to the game's reputation has already been done.