No, not at all. It’s a fair question - and there is more we could do. To be fair though, when we did email and social marketing post-release (and I’m talking months after release, not just in the first few weeks) it just didn’t move the needle.
Collective is a small team, and we also work on multiple projects - we could take the decision to put the community and marketing resource into Boundless again, but that would be at the expense of other current or forthcoming projects. And, to be honest, without knowing myself what the future holds, it’s not something I’m going to consider anyway.
So I totally get that folks will ask about marketing - and I don’t take any insinuations. We did take a specific and thought-through approach that involved a range of marketing types (social, influencers), but it just didn’t generate results; and thereafter word of mouth wasn’t enough to get over the hurdle for the kind of critical mass of players we’d hoped for.
Yep, that was part of my thought process too - it wouldn’t take much work I’d think? All the parts are in place, with the purchasing system and the special types of planets. Sounds like the Gleambow exos are part of the update so just about done.
It really strikes me as the most fair route of monetization if everybody can access them (buyer just controls timing), and a method that would I think really bring some players back. It is upsetting for people when they’re too rare and they can’t make them. The ONLY potential downside is the game economy, and that seems like a very small issue, and perhaps would go the other way, stimulate it some, especially with players coming back for special rentals.
Honestly, I don’t know - it’s not for me to say in any case, and I definitely don’t want to put pressure on James or the team to commit to one thing or another.
I’m really only commenting because I feel like it’s probably overdue on my part, and I recognise the passion and commitment of the community here. I guess in a way it’s a kind of apology, because I wish we’d done better overall.
I do think there are impacts on the economy, just like there are whenever events happen. I do agree that we do tend to get a player bump during special events so it might compensate enough or it might be that at this time is it not really important. the economy can always recover once the game reaches critical mass.
Really appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time here. We really do love the game (check out the hours some of us have put into it! - PS4 users, see your 2019 hours here! ) and there is so much potential here I see to grow it… Boundless is innovative, and has hit on some really cool things like the rental worlds (see if James can print up a statement of how much I’ve spent on them )… like others here, I’m convinced there is a lot of potential here to grow and flourish, though right now things don’t sound very promising here from what you’ve said and I appreciate your honesty. Regardless of how it goes, I will always be grateful for Boundless, it really made a difference in some of our lives - the escape the game provides, and the bonds we formed in the community.
ok I guess the real question is one that cannot be answered. How long is Square Enix willing to cover the costs to run the game? Unfortunately we are not getting regular information from Tubulenz. There are likely good reasons for this, but if they are the only ones that can put things in place that might be able to keep the game running until they have time and resources to further development, then we are essentially stuck at a point where it seems to be up to Square Enix what happens next.
If they’re able to get the 249/250 update out with melee weapons & local worlds, I’ll commit to creating a new trailer/video along with posting on my social medias. It may not help anything, but I don’t think it could hurt.
Pay to win !! But what exactly do you win in this game? The object of the game is to have fun. You could rate the PayToFast game. Pay for the quality of life and save some of the grinding to move forward faster.
@philelliott I greatly appreciate your honesty and communication and there is no apology necessary in regards to commenting on here. I do wish it were better news, but I like to be optimistic and think there are some positives here and if anything (as you have mentioned) there is a ton of passion here in this community and I feel blessed to be a part of it.
I do realize your hands are tied to an extent, but I am very happy to know that you keep your eyes on things.
That is unfortunate. I truly do think that a marketing push would help; especially with more visible steamers (Twitch, Facebook) and Youtube. Yet, I also understand that this may take resources your team doesn’t have at the moment. Still, there has to be options.
I think that a small first step for the future of the project is to change the website. It continues with outdated information and images prior to the version of the current game. For my part, I felt a bit cheated by the advertising of the game itself. It is one thing to have little marketing and another that what little you have as a showcase for the game is so poorly done. Although this has also been suggested on many occasions.
The playBoundless website is owned and managed by Turbulenz, so it’s similar to the above points in that it would need somebody available and able to make changes.
If there are issues with the Steam page or the Boundless page on the Square Enix website, we can change those - please feel free to DM me if you have suggestions for what isn’t representative.
EDIT: I’d also say we’re open to refreshing videos and screens on those locations too, especially if the community has better/more up-to-date content that can be provided.
The review is for this website: https://playboundless.com/
If I remember correctly @ majorvex also commented on this on some occasions and surely she has more knowledge about the community than I do.
It would be great if we could get some input from you and a little transparency here. I by no means want to pressure you or make you feel targeted here, I just want the community to stop hurting and losing players. This community just wants to help in any way we possibly can and we just need to know if you are open to any of it.
If you could chime in here it sure would go a long way for some of us just hoping for some form of communication.
He’s already been asked and replied. I don’t really expect him to talk about company financials,etc on a public forum. It’s really none of our business. The game is there. We play it or we don’t. Updates & new content is always nice, but players always want more, in every game.
Thank you for taking the time here. We really do love the game (check out the hours some of us have put into it! - 
)… like others here, I’m convinced there is a lot of potential here to grow and flourish, though right now things don’t sound very promising here from what you’ve said and I appreciate your honesty. Regardless of how it goes, I will always be grateful for Boundless, it really made a difference in some of our lives - the escape the game provides, and the bonds we formed in the community.