[Discussion] Early Access Witchfire Expands to Steam After a Year of Epic Games Store Exclusivity

[Uncrowned Guard]

Witchfire Breaks Free From Epic Games Store Exclusivity

The popular roguelike shooter, Witchfire, is now available on Steam after a year of being an exclusive title on the Epic Games Store. This comes after a full year of continual improvements on the game's overall experience, addressing key feedback from the player base. Developers have diligently nurtured it, and the progress is noteworthy, drastically enhancing gameplay over the past year.

Enhancements in Witchfire's Gameplay

The Astronauts, the developers of Witchfire, have consistently made the game more accessible and less punishing. An evident challenge for players since its initial release in 2023 was an overly steep learning curve. This has been addressed with two primary changes. One of the changes was the introduction of the Gnosis system in April, a revolutionary game mechanic that allows players to progress at their own pace, replacing the original level-based difficulty. Under this new structure, players are motivated to push deeper into the game gradually without causing insurmountable distress.

Further developments towards player-friendly gameplay were seen in August with the Wailing Tower update. Advertising a new locale, the Island of the Damned offers a nurturing environment for newcomers – hassle-free to navigate and not overly populated with enemies. The Island also enables players to power up weapons and abilities quicker than usual. This has helped beginners get a real taste of what Witchfire entails, without excessive initial hardships.

Readjustments and the Future of Witchfire

Another significant shift in user experience was the downsizing of "calamities" in the pre-Steam High Stakes update. These calamities were hitherto a constant gameplay interruption, forcing sudden fights or furious escapes. Despite being intended to arise from players' missteps, they were often perceived as random. The Astronauts have since modified them to be more deliberately triggered, and a player's wrongdoing definitely causes them. The reform furthermore involves a slower progression of the calamity progress bar and the complete removal of certain triggers to assure player satisfaction.

An effortless transition awaits players who wish to transfer their game from the Epic Games Store to Steam. With both platforms utilizing an identical save location and format, players simply need to install the game on Steam; a hassle-free switch promised. Witchfire's move to Steam seems to be received well, as it has consistently featured among top sellers since its arrival. As always, the Witchfire journey continues, and it might be the perfect time for new players to embark upon this expanding world.

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