Hunt: Showdown is considered a hidden gem among shooter fans. A game for true connoisseurs and enthusiasts, so they say. However, fans are now facing a mechanic typically found in more mainstream shooters. They are getting a Battle Pass – and they’re not happy about it.
What kind of pass is this? Hunt: Showdown is receiving a Battle Pass with the new event. The developers announced this via their social media channels, causing very mixed reactions among fans of the gourmet shooter.
The pass is named “The Gilded Path” and will come to the game in both a standard and a premium version. You can unlock new cosmetic items and even a legendary hunter that evolves as you progress through the pass.
It enters the game on July 27 along with the new event “Serpent’s Moon,” which brings two new weapon variants and a new time of day, the titular Serpent’s Moon, to the horror shooter.
How long you have to complete the pass or whether it will remain in the game after the event is currently unclear.
In the video is the trailer for the current event with the Battle Pass
How has it looked so far? Hunt: Showdown has previously opted out of such a concept. They have relied on individual, cosmetic DLCs and optional, purely cosmetic in-game purchases. The events did not disrupt this, even though during events you could purchase items with real money to complete them faster.
The developer Crytek has always communicated that these boosters are not necessary, but serve the purpose of supporting the studio if desired. You could complete the events just as easily without these boosters.
The community reacts condescendingly – and very divided
Players are complaining about familiar mechanics: The player base of Hunt: Showdown has reacted very divided to the upcoming Battle Pass. Many do not like that their personal hidden gem is becoming like all the other shooters.
Some attribute this to the hiring of David Fifield as the general manager of Hunt: Showdown. He previously worked on Call of Duty and Halo, among others. Some users in the comments draw premature conclusions and mock.
- Logan writes (via Facebook): “One of my favorite aspects of Hunt was that it was so unique. That’s now dead.”
- Wes also expresses his displeasure (via Facebook): “Your CoD guy David is so original, I’m laughing so hard. I saw this coming from 252 meters away.”
- Humberto writes (via Facebook): “Really? First, they found fewer Bloodbonds, then skins became more expensive, and now a Battle Pass for a full-price game? Just make Hunt Free2Play already.”
- Mansour also receives a lot of support (via Facebook): “I’ve lost all hope in the game. It was bad enough that new content came out so slowly and that you’re adding multiple currencies to the game. Now you’re denying people access to content, preferring they spend their money on your DLCs and skins rather than a Battle Pass. I’m done with the game.”
However, the camp of negatively inclined fans shares the poor overall sentiment about the Battle Pass with those who are actually looking forward to it.
Other fans support the idea: On the other hand, there is a large part of the community that is eager to purchase the Battle Pass. Ironically, many of them are not enthusiastic about the mechanic itself but wish to support the developers and their favorite shooter.
In fact, fans are almost indifferent about what is actually included in the Battle Pass. Many users feel a deep connection to the unusual horror shooter and want to ensure that Hunt: Showdown continues to live on and develop for a long time.
- Toothybrushman writes (via reddit): “I think this is a good idea. Crytek has tried to monetize the game in the weirdest ways. […] Battle Passes have shown that they can be a successful system in many games. If they must monetize the game more, this is the way they should go.”
- Jan writes (via Facebook): “Many people seem not to understand that Hunt is a multiplayer game. It needs resources. You wouldn’t work for free either.”
- Marc agrees (via Facebook): “I’m buying the Battle Pass, but only to support the game I love and to keep it alive for as long as possible.”
- Jordan says (via Facebook): “I’m supporting the game and the team as much as I can, but I don’t believe that a Battle Pass is the right way for Hunt. It can ruin games and lead to burnout for fans. We’ll see what happens.”
What do you think about it? Are you actively playing Hunt and think a Battle Pass is exactly what the shooter needs? Or are you on the other side and criticize the developers for introducing such a system? Feel free to let us know in the comments here at MeinMMO.
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