The MMO Wayfinder has been quite quiet lately. Only a few players are returning to the game regularly. However, the developers do not want to give up and are now giving the game a reboot.
What is the status of Wayfinder? The MMO Wayfinder is currently not doing well. Only 50 players are playing the MMO simultaneously at peak times, although the game launched last August with 25,000 players.
These circumstances were likely sufficient for the developers to reconsider their business model. They have come to the conclusion to give the game a new business model, and that without any MMO.
You can watch the trailer for Wayfinder here:
Bye Bye MMO – Hello, Pay2Play
What are the developers planning for the reboot? The reboot of Wayfinder changes the game completely. It transforms from an MMO into a Pay2Play title with an offline mode and online co-op mode.
The shop is also getting a makeover, with the game planning to forgo microtransactions in the future and making all items that were previously available as such unlockable through progress in the game.
The reboot also brings the major update “Echoes,” which introduces many improvements, including weapon and armor drops with variable stats, an easier system for unlocking characters, and four selectable difficulty levels. Additionally, the game will incorporate traditional RPG elements such as talent trees.
New content also includes a new playable character, 6 new hunts, and a new continent that offers three times as much open-world areas as before. The game is set to be available from June 11 for $24.99, the developers write in their press release.
How is the update received by players? The update is not well received by players at all. On Steam, the game slipped to “extremely negative” in recent reviews and only 19 % of users would recommend the game in the last 30 days.
The biggest criticism from players is the absence of MMO aspects. The player Trix writes on Steam: “The game is being transformed from an MMORPG into a single-player experience with 0 online requirements. Every co-op mode is p2p. I personally purchased the second highest package for a game I no longer want to play.”
The price of the game is one of the main reasons cited by authors of negative reviews. Until April 8, Wayfinder offered 3 founder packs at price levels of 44.99 €, 80.99 €, and 129.99 €. Now the game is supposed to cost only $24.99.
The user Snowglobe79 calls the game a “150-dollar scam” on Steam.
Likewise, Zulsaframano is not satisfied with the developers’ plans, he writes on Steam: “The game I bought will no longer exist in the future… I do not want a single-player game with co-op capability. I want exactly the MMO as it was announced. Spent over 100€ for nothing! I want my money back!”
Whether the reboot will save the game, despite the players’ dissatisfaction, remains to be seen. Other games are in early access for years and continuously bring major updates that improve the game even further. One of them is Star Citizen: Star Citizen releases huge update with new character editor and wild animals
