In a week marked by disappointment for fans of the beloved Risk of Rain franchise, Gearbox has found itself at the center of a storm following the release of Seekers of the Storm, the first downloadable content (DLC) for Risk of Rain 2 since acquiring the series from original developers Hopoo Games. The DLC currently holds a mere 21% positive rating on Steam, a stark indicator of the community’s discontent.
Community Backlash and Developer Responses
The backlash has primarily stemmed from a regional pricing anomaly that effectively doubled the DLC’s cost in certain markets. Compounding the dissatisfaction, players have reported significant performance issues and bugs resulting from a recent update, impacting not just those who purchased the DLC but the entire player base.
Amidst the turmoil, some of the original developers have voiced their thoughts on the situation. Duncan Drummond took to X, “The Everything App,” to express his understanding of the community’s frustration while also extending empathy to the Gearbox development team. He noted, “It sucks for the fans, who lost functionality for the game they love. It also sucks for the developers at GBX, who are probably under a ton of stress and can’t really celebrate the win of launching a new DLC.” Drummond remains optimistic about Gearbox’s commitment to addressing the issues and listening to player feedback, emphasizing the team’s dedication to the franchise.
Similarly, Jeffrey Hunt, a programmer for Risk of Rain 2, shared his insights with PCGamesN. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the Gearbox team, suggesting that they did their utmost with the limited time and resources available. “I remember the team at Gearbox we worked with on the Survivors of the Void DLC was doing really well, particularly on the new stages,” Hunt remarked, highlighting the potential for improvement despite the current setbacks.
Looking ahead, Gearbox is actively prioritizing the resolution of players’ most pressing concerns regarding Seekers of the Storm. An August 30 developer diary outlined their commitment to fixing the newly identified bugs and performance issues affecting the PC version, signaling a proactive approach to restoring player confidence and satisfaction.