Well I just posted a big response in another thread on a related topic so I don't want to go in too deep here but if I do my best to be objective about the current state of this game, I find it difficult to count myself in neither the "TaleWorlds is doing their best" position nor the "TaleWorlds is either failing or abandoning this project" one.
I have only been following this game for a few months and only playing it for a couple. I only started exploring mods and editing XMLs for the last two weeks or so. I would definitely say this game has piqued my interest and I currently am thoroughly enjoying it and would even be willing to go out on a limb and say I feel I have already been compensated for wait I paid for it in experienced entertainment value as well as future entertainment value no matter how slow they develop because of the almost endless possibilities the mod community can provide. Not to mention whenever or if ever, the full mod tools are made available. So it is easy for me to see people going in hard on TaleWorlds or being overly negative or toxic towards them as at best uncalled for at worst the ramblings of overly cynical malcontents.
However I could also easily see if I was a long time supporter of the series and had been on board since the start and had experienced all the change or lack thereof over the allotted time that has gone by, being totally disappointed and frustrated. And also seeing people taking my ranting as just idle bashing of the game/studio when in fact it comes from a place love for the game (or the idea of it) and feeling like TaleWorlds is not meeting expectations because of the Early Access double edged sword conundrum or fearing they are in the process of pulling the old bait and switch because of fiscal reasons and development difficulties.
I also am not familiar enough with the studio and there attitudes and philosophies. I do not know how much they "rely" on the modding community to relieve some of the burden by providing bits of content and quality of life changes or if they develop with the mindset of modding being strictly extra curricular. It would be harder for me to accept they hold to the former however with the way either their updates, framework or available modding tools, cause hell for mod creators and cost them hours upon hours of hard work.
Given my experiences so far, the research I've done, the few develop responses/Q & A's I've seen, and my following of the communities' thoughts, I definitely have my concerns that whatever their philosophy and/or goals are for this game may not be in line with that of the majority of their playerbase and some of their decisions and lack of action in certain areas come off to me a bit short-sighted and a bit apathetic even. If not for seemingly avoiding hot button issues and highly agreed upon suggestions but for, from what I can tell, a complete lack of communication or transparency. Although I could also see there being valid reasons for avoiding too much communication or making "promises".
With all that said, I still respect and admire what they have offered so far and am still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt because they are even willing to support an innovative and arguable risky game and because for all my years in gaming this game has provided me with a novel experience. Those things lead me to conclude the challenges and difficulty building the foundation and delivering the ambitious goals the players expect are more difficult than most other studios deal with especially given their resources and manpower available.
And once again I was long winded af, so apologies and thanks if you read through it all. I spent a good portion of the night practicing and FINALLY being able to semi consistently beat the Sturgian game host in Konane has me feeling all big brained this evening. I promise I'm not normally so damn pedantic. Its mostly though because I really do dig this game and really do want it to progress and succeed despite my concerns.
