SU Isn’t Gone. But We Need To Talk About Frustrations.
When we first talked about pivoting, we weren’t in the best spot. Frustrations were already piling up and the pressure was real. At some point you either keep patching the same leaky boat or you rip the band aid off and start building the thing you actually want to sail in. That’s what we did. We went forward with what we wanted to make, hoping some of you would ride shotgun and see what we’ve been cooking up.
And before we go any further! SU isn’t cancelled. It’s still alive! The next Themyscira update is on deck after Evo drops.
Here’s the part that stings. A lot of you came here for SU. For 10 years that’s been the core of what we do. And then out of nowhere we hit you with, “Guess what dudes, we’re pivoting.” No warm up, no warning, just straight Lex pulling the strings behind the curtain while everyone thought it was business as usual. You’re right to feel frustrated. We hear you, and we get why it feels like you've being hoodwinked.
But here’s the other side of it. Something wild has been happening since we made the switch. Many have been sticking around longer than ever. Our old average support length was 5.97 months, about three SU updates. Now it’s over 10 months. Last year we had to grow 13–15% every single month just to outpace pissed off folks leaving. Now it’s 9–10% and we’re aiming to push it down to 5%. That tells us the path we were on before wasn’t healthy for us or for you.
We also know this doesn’t erase your frustration. SU’s pace and style was always a balancing act that kept just enough people happy while driving plenty away. Go look at the forums, there are dudes with over 2000+ complaints about SU over the past 8 years. That’s on us. We should’ve pivoted a long time ago.
Where does that leave us now? Project Evolution is basically at the finish line. SR7 is wrapping art touch ups and final Rogue writing. He says he’ll be done tomorrow. Henshin’s already implementing. I’m not going to tell you it’ll be out tomorrow, but we’re very close, and we will keep you informed.
I know this doesn’t magically make you less pissed about the pivot. But you’re being heard. You haven't always been heard, but be assured you are now. And we’re trying to build something that doesn’t just limp along, but grows into the kind of story-rich, character-driven chaos you actually deserve
Talk soon,
Gunsmoke Games
Comments (54)
Question, so is SU main title getting reworked or kind of a finished product state with these side mini games like the gala event and Themyscira taking the main hold of the DC universe side.
So what I'm hearing is you're not leaving you're just building your brand you haven't stopped building trucks so to speak you're just going to build electric vehicles too but you're still going to build trucks I know the metaphor is horrible but I hope you get what I'm saying
Just hoping that you guys be considering add animation to SU in the future, the art is wonderful, it just need a little "moving"'
kinda interested if this is going to happen
Hello! :) I need to ask, what about BoB2? Has this project been abandoned? I remember you saying last year that this should be finished at the end of this year but I haven't seen any updates and then you started writing about new Evo game ;/ Ngl, was really hoping for that BoB2 game ;/ If it happens no to be abandoned do you have something planned with releasing it like next year?
I feel like the overall tone of what's happening right now is good for BoB2. It's tangible proof that they can put serious work into more than just the one project without losing their livelihood. Even if they don't have anything new for it in the wings right now, if this goes well, it shows them that they can rely on support for more than just SU.
I hate to be a Debbie Downer but I came here for SU. I really don't care about the X-Men Evolution style game. If it was based on the 1992 Jim Lee styled X-Men cartoon I would have been more interested in this side project.
We have lots of SU focus coming this month.
ILL ask here on the net nobody responds game is/was all good fully updated then after awhile at lexcorp u hit the icon for lab it gives u the office
where update?
Thanks for being honest and transparent with us. Totally understand that what you guys do takes a lot of time and energy. Of all the game developers i’ve subscribed to in the past, you guys have been the most thorough with your work. Making decisions like this aren’t easy. Still looking forward to seeing both games being released. Keep up the great work.
If there are going to be other characters added to the game I wander if it’ll add other characters from marvel outside the X-men media and I hope jubilee makes her way to the game at some point!
Hey take as much time as u need u guys always put effort and great content when it’s ready you’ll release the update so don’t beat yourself up and keep up the good work 👍
I have two questions about Evo. 1) Will there only be the four girls that you showed at launch, and if so, will you add more down the road? 2) Looking at the girls, they all have the same states in Relationships, and the other two, I am correct in assuming that this is just a background meeter used to introduce the mechanics, and each girl will have different states?
Great Questions 1) No there are more girls planned, than shown 2) Those were just static, and they will have different states
For me is like this i pay and dident had something new to play since April if im not roung. In this economy you have to throw the line some wear. I still will flow you and maybe come back for big updates.
We totally understand. For us the constant need to put out content was detrimental to us, and didn't provide good enough value to many people.
In your early post you told me evo will release in this month,so is it ready to be released now?
I'm unaware of any such promise. We have said we're confident that we could get it out by the end of the month. But never once did we say it will release.
Perhaps it's just me but this is nothing but word salad to me. So you're pivoting...but not stopping SU...how is that any different then basically what you already said when you started this new creation process? I find my time to have been wasted reading this long post that told me nothing. is SU being worked on to conclude or just back burner, is PEvo going to run in a similar direction because the atmosphere of capturing others vs being a fellow student is a different dynamic that may be harder to replicate. I've been around for a very long time and I want to continue to be but if the dynamic changes too much even if its good you'll drive people away.
ShadowWater I understand where you're coming from. I made this post because there are people who were experiencing frustration. So maybe this post didn't reach you, as you might not have been the intended audience. Additionally, I'm only involved in management, and light direction. I have no hands in the creative process. So there was no time wasted in creating this post. SU= Not back burner will still occupy >50% of our resources moving forward. PEvo= Our small games endevour, our goal is have a fully finished small game in 6 months. This attempt will miss that, but as we iterate it we should easily hit that number. I understand you concern about driving people away and we're monitoring the situation. Loud voices don't always equate to what is really happening. Right now it seems people are excited for these new offerings, and we need to make sure we can continue on our path for another 10 years, and do that sustainably.
Good
Sorry not really seeing the huge issue here. It sounds like some complications came up with SU. Which just happens in creating video games and/or animation. Plus, it sounds like we'll still get content either way. Sounds like Project Evolution is almost done. Which I probably more excited about, but that's just my opinion. Anyway, I said y'all keep up the good work and don't stress over little people leaving they'll be back soon. lol
We have seen a decrease in the frustration being communicated as of late. But there is still groups experiencing it. Our process with PE involves heavily listening to your feedback, and that just doesn't mean the warm fuzzy kind.
I can understand, one reason my efficiency in my previous work went bad was my lack of enthusiasm during the projects, Is not an xcuse but I can get that better try to change something while you can and still have some drive. Truth be told i have being invested in this for some while and I hope All of you can recharge yourselfs with this project.
I’ll stick around, I like the game and want to see where it goes. But I do have a question. After Themyscira was Apokalips to be the next update or was that the end? I enjoy the updates and new locations it’s fun to travel and see the new places and characters. Also will the Bordello get finished with the rest of the girls? That’s all, I’ll be here for the next update and your next update on where the new game is released
We haven't discussed planning that far out. The bordello will be finished, the content was excellent for streaming, so it's kinda sitting in our back pocket if we resume.
I know you will see more complaints than compliments. I just want to say, I love you guys. Thank you for all the hard work you do. I really enjoy your games.
Thank you very much!
I just want a complete and finished SU for PC that has everything in one place. I hopped on around the time miss Martian was added and enjoyed all the additions over the years, but I just want it clean and finished. Then it will feel better to make something new or even make a sequel.
I've been following for the new updates every once in a while. I like the game and don't have much complaints
I jumped into SU recently. I think the game was fun and a product of it's time. I believe you guys can pump out a much higher quality and more entertaining modern game and I hope Project Evo hits those marks.
So will Sr7 make an update to SU or are you doing a full tech update like Summertime Saga did?
SR7 is moving over to SU right after Project Evo releases shortly. Then he will work on the Themy update. From there he will most likely jump back to PE to finish up the art and do any improvements needed. Hopefully PE will be v1.0 at that time. SR7 will then stay on SU until we jump back into our small games stuff next year most likely.
Sorry. Not good enough. Despite the discount you offered, I just cancelled my membership. Maybe I'll be back. Maybe not.
Pfffffft bye Karen lol
Love you guys, but we need a SU update. I know it's hard, but we need it
I support the pivot. It can help get fresh ideas for SU
I get it. The coding on something like SU got so complex each time you add something it got ridiculous to manage and develop. You found a way to streamline and improve it but required building from the ground up. Makes sense, which is why I am not all that frustrated, more anxious. And pivoting on this new project gets the mind clear and break any tunnel vision from focusing on SU so much. So, full understanding for you guys, keep doing what you are doing. Full faith you know what you need to do to deliver the best you got. This X-men project also looks really exciting, so we shall see how things go. Keep up the good work guys.
I don't care if it's a leaky boat or a new high speed boat so long as I have Galatea and Raven I'm good 👍
Has sr7 been working on the themyscira and evo or just evo for theses past months?
Just Evo currently. But he's been on a really good pace, so no more of the crunch and collapse. He will just shift over.
This is why I stick with you guys you communicate and have wonderful ideas on where we are and where we wanna go I'll stay around to see the future
I'll say this it feels weird that your not doing SU right now and did come here for it, but I think it's amazing that you want to branch out and do something new. A lot of creators from what I've seen stick to one project for so long that they just burn themselves out and lose the enjoyment of making new content. So keep you the good work and rediscover that enjoyment of making something new and amazing.
We really think these small games are a niche not being done right now. Plus parody slots right into this sort of format.
Thank you for all that you do, I cannot wait for Evo
Changing course always comes with expected and unexpected bumps, but I think it will be for the best. Hopefully whatever is learnt from the pivot will benefit SU
Thanks for the update. A lot of my favourite games fall into this hole lately, where the devs stop updating the supporters and eventually the game slowly and quietly gets abandoned. I realise burn out is a VERY real thing and I hope working on something different like Evo helps you guys keep sane. I just hope we SU fans still get to see the game we love finished!
Alls good take your time great work takes patience ✨️
Honestly we may want to give the story the ending soon.
I get it, it can be frustrating at times, but I look at it like this. I just moved into a new house where it’s exactly the same as it was left. So I have to go through everything to organize and clean up. At some point, you get tired of doing this room and just to change things up you start this room. So that’s how I’m looking at this.
Let’s go it’s almost here but not yet but it’s worth the wait keep the amazing news coming also keep up the amazing and hope everyone is having a amazing week day today also spooky month is closing in hope everyone ready!!!
I do get that about managing frustrations and all that. I do wonder something about this how are you measuring people staying longer thanks to this pivot when the first alpha build hasn’t been released yet? Is it really thanks to the pivot that people are staying or is it more that you know nothing has been released for months and the last two we have been told that the update is coming really soon. No hate btw just doubts about that part of thr post.
Our traffic is up 45% as well. Our Jean cheerleader reveal did more traffic than December SU update. Both were patron only but the Dec update had 15% more active patrons. More people are tuning in, and more of you are sticking around longer. Maybe we all needed the pivot?