Mountaintop Studios, the developers behind the newly released FPS, Spectre Divide, have announced significant price reductions for in-game skins and bundles, just hours after facing intense player backlash over their initial pricing.
Price Cuts and Refunds
Following widespread criticism regarding the high cost of cosmetics, the studio implemented a 17-25% price reduction across weapons and outfits. Game director Lee Horn confirmed this in an official statement, adding that players who purchased items before the price adjustment will receive a 30% SP (in-game currency) refund, rounded up to the nearest 100 SP. This refund also applies to those who purchased Founder's or Supporter packs and subsequently bought the affected items.
The statement acknowledged player feedback, emphasizing the studio's commitment to addressing concerns. However, the prices for Starter packs, Sponsorships, and Endorsement upgrades remain unchanged.
Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Concerns
While some players welcomed the price adjustments, the response has been far from universally positive. Spectre Divide currently holds a 49% negative rating on Steam, a direct result of negative review bombing triggered by the initial pricing controversy.
Social media reactions are equally divided. Some players praised the studio's responsiveness to feedback, while others remain critical, highlighting the need for more substantial changes and expressing concerns about the game's long-term viability in a competitive free-to-play market. Suggestions for improvement included the ability to purchase individual items from bundles. The criticism also pointed to the poor timing of the price reduction, arguing that proactive price adjustments before launch would have avoided the negative publicity.
