When Crucible launched last month, it came with three separate game modes. According to a new developer update, however, only one of the three has been a runaway success with the community. As a result, two game modes will be retired “for the foreseeable future” while devs focus on overall game improvements and work to add even more to the last mode standing.
“While there’s been a great response to the premise of our game from many players, we’ve also heard the feedback that there are features that we need to add as a top priority, like voice chat. We agree, and we’re going to stay in Pre-Season until those features and polish are in Crucible. We’re also going to use our time in Pre-Season as a chance to go all-in on the parts of Crucible that are resonating most strongly with you, our community.”
The Heart of the Hives mode will remain in place. This mode pits two teams of four against one another in a race to claim three hearts before the other team. There are PvE objectives as well as the heated PvP action. “Focusing on one mode allows us to refine the design of core systems without the compromises we needed to make to support three game modes.” developers wrote.
The team has outlined a two-phase plan for improving Heart of the Hives:
- Phase One:
- build and iterate of core systems
- addition of voice chat, a surrender option, systems to deal with AFK players, expanded ping system, and possibly a mini-map
- improvements to framerate, hit feedback, matchmaking, and the new player experience
- Phase Two:
- addition of new systems and polish to “elevate the experience”
- this phase is dependent on community feedback to Phase One
- custom tailoring for the map, improved creatures, custom games, enhanced social systems functionality
Check out the full letter on the Crucible official site.
