Dauntless Launches on Steam with Overwhelming Negative Reviews

The free-to-play cooperative hunting game, Dauntless, has made its debut on Steam with the new season titled “Dauntless: Awakening”, but it’s not going as smoothly as expected. Despite being launched alongside popular titles like Path of Exile 2 and Marvel’s Avengers, Dauntless is facing a drastic player count disparity and has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users.

Originally released in 2019 by Phoenix Labs, a studio formed by former BioWare and Riot Games members, Dauntless is often likened to a Western version of Capcom's renowned hunting series, Monster Hunter. Players take on the role of “Slayers,” hunting massive, prehistoric creatures on the island of Ramsgate to gather materials and upgrade their gear. However, with the launch of “Dauntless: Awakening,” many players were shocked to find significant changes made to the game. Upon entering, they were greeted with a tutorial zone, and all progress and crafted weapons from previous versions were wiped clean, forcing everyone to start anew.

Gameplay Changes and Player Backlash

Initially, players could obtain basic weapons, but they soon discovered that unlocking new ones required weapon tokens, which could only be exchanged through an NPC blacksmith. Although these tokens can be earned through quests or the battle pass, players found the process to be time-consuming and frustrating. Additionally, changes to the in-game shop have drawn criticism, with many noting that previously free rewards, such as cosmetic items, have now shifted to the paid tier. This shift in the monetization strategy has raised eyebrows and is believed to be influenced by Phoenix Labs' parent company, Forte, a blockchain platform that acquired the studio over a year ago in a private transaction.

Community Response and Developer Communication

The community's response has been overwhelmingly negative, flooding forums and review sections with complaints. In light of this backlash, Phoenix Labs released a letter to the player community, attempting to clarify the reasons behind the reset of player progress and the changes to weapon token acquisition. Unfortunately, their explanations have failed to convince many players who feel betrayed by the drastic overhaul.

Declining Player Count

Since its release on Steam, Dauntless has struggled to maintain a healthy player base, peaking at only 3,221 players before plummeting to around 400-500 in the following days. This sharp decline is particularly concerning for a free-to-play game, which typically relies on a robust player community for its ongoing viability.

Leadership Changes and Future Updates

Adding to the turmoil, the company announced the resignation of CEO Jesse Houston and COO Jeanne-Marie Owens in September 2023. Earlier in May, reports surfaced about significant layoffs at Phoenix Labs, alongside the cancellation of several ongoing projects. Despite the anticipation for the upcoming Update 2.1.1 set to roll out in mid-December, the content changes are unlikely to address the current operational challenges, leaving many to question the future of Dauntless: Awakening.

The Impact of Monetization Strategies

The shift towards a more aggressive monetization strategy has sparked discussions about the sustainability of free-to-play models in the gaming industry. As companies increasingly integrate blockchain technology and in-game purchases, the balance between player satisfaction and revenue generation becomes critical. Players are now more aware than ever of how monetization affects gameplay, leading to a demand for transparency and fairness.

Comparison with Other Titles

In contrast, other games like Path of Exile 2 have successfully retained player interest by focusing on community engagement and regular content updates. This raises the question of whether Dauntless can learn from these examples to rebuild its player base and reputation. The gaming community is keenly observing how Phoenix Labs will respond to these challenges in the coming months.

Looking Ahead: Can Dauntless Recover?

As Dauntless navigates this rocky launch, the future remains uncertain. Players are eager to see if the developers will take heed of the community's concerns and adapt their strategies accordingly. With loyal fans hoping for a return to the game's original charm, the path to recovery will require thoughtful changes and a renewed commitment to player satisfaction.