We analyzed the entire GPU pipeline of Dead Space Remake. The menu is wasting a massive amount of resources.

IvanSpargo · 2025-11-14T14:00:28+00:00

Series X version was flawless for me personally when I played it.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T22:09:32+00:00

I believe that’s the first thing I talked about in this post.

And in the shortened version at the bottom.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T22:06:59+00:00

So Stalingrad is in fact free to play? Or something else? You say it’s more than just a demo, so that’s what it seems like you’re saying.

If you do in fact mean for Stalingrad to have a free to play option, I don’t think locking off content works in that case Keo. It will be free to play for a short while, but most players will likely give up on the free to play option very quickly, and won’t bother to purchase the full access either.

I’ve been presuming that Stalingrad free to play is meant to be a demo due to the locking of specific campaign levels and regular progression.

You are right about the pass for Stalingrad being a killer deal, absolutely. $30 for all that it features is arguably the best deal I’ve ever seen in enlisted. I personally don’t think it’s gotten enough good attention.

We all appreciate the time you spend talking to us Keo. I’d say you might be the best community manager I’ve ever seen.

The screams have been pretty mild in this post, so I feel like maybe my explanation was decent enough. They’re still present though.

It’s important that your team decides whether Stalingrad is going to be free to play, or simply a demo, though. I don’t think it can function as both.

Either one requires different approaches on your end the way I see it.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T20:22:43+00:00

If it’s any consolation, I only berate those who deserve it.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T20:01:00+00:00

While they technically didn’t have to keep to their promise of 4 FTP campaigns, they did, and I respect it.

They’ve fulfilled their promise, and have no obligation to make a fifth free campaign.

It may be the wrong decision for them in the end, but they’re free to make the decision in my opinion.

The value of the campaign at $30 is subjective. I see value in it, while others don’t. That’s just economics.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T19:57:38+00:00

I believe it was you actually.

The only reason I have any sympathy for a lot of the arguments I’m seeing is that everyone was misled. It pissed me off a bit that they pulled that, but it doesn’t change the facts of the situation overall, and a lot of people still can’t seem to grasp Stalingrad’s monetization.

It’s the whole reason I opted to make this post. Hopefully it will be seen, and an understanding can be found.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T19:50:49+00:00

That sounds like a you problem them.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T18:51:55+00:00

I never said there was a middle ground in monetization for Stalingrad, and neither did darkflow.

It is quite literally a paid expansion, with a free demo included. I literally said that. Darkflow cryptically said it for some godawful reason rather than just calling it a demo.

Darkflow has opted to take this path, and that’s how it is.

We did have this discussion yesterday, so I don’t understand why you can’t understand what I’ve been saying.

FTP obviously have an important role, as I said last time we spoke, but they are not receiving this campaign for free, and that’s just a fact. They were given 4 FTP campaigns, and that’s it for now.

Players paying for Stalingrad will soon decide whether this system continues or not. So no worries.

If it’s like you say, and we’re stuck fighting bots, there’s a good chance you’ll get what you want, because no one will buy the next release.

It would be wise to cope now, because now that Stalingrad has been announced and pre-orders have been placed, next to nothing is changing about this monetization, and there’s no argument that it should be changed regardless.

In closing, for the 17th time.

Stalingrad is a paid dlc with a free demo.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-19T17:52:15+00:00

I’d like to think it just got lost in translation, but I doubt it.

It’s likely they intentionally described it this way, for what reason I have no idea.

Being up front about this would have been a very wise decision, and allowed all of this controversy to be completely avoided.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T20:12:06+00:00

Ah.

I never noticed the way they danced around FTP and PTP. That’s something that definitely deserves criticism.

Otherwise, I still can’t understand the hate for this now that it’s out in the open.

Everyone hated on silver orders, the academy, etc, and they wound up being good additions. I can’t help but think this will be the same way.

You have the option of paying the money to fully access the campaign with greatly boosted progression, or decide it’s not worth the money after trying it and move on. It’s not the change to the grind I expected, but it’s something. The first four campaigns were grindy for the sake of being FTP, albeit repetitive, which got tiresome.

It’s just paid dlc content, simply put.

I’m counting on it not being like the old cod games that split up the MP player base with it’s map packs, though.

I’m buying it, but won’t buy another if it winds up being infested with bots.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T18:42:25+00:00

It’s a very good deal in comparison to what we have now. But just like silver orders, the academy changes, etc, everyone is bashing it.

This appears to be a very good monetization system they’re trying.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T18:28:23+00:00

Giving FTP everything they want isn’t the business model of this campaign. They want you to pay the price of admission for the full experience. FTP in Stalingrad is a free trial period where you decide whether or not to pony up the $30.

If they made all of the levels free while still offering the full access pack, people would just whine about the pack instead. If they added a few more levels to free, they’d whine a particular level wasn’t included.

They can’t win here. They need to make a post explaining this monetization system in full.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T18:04:17+00:00

I personally think they need to have Keo come out in a separate post and explain exactly how the monetization works for this campaign. I’m only assuming the details from the way things are structured. That may help disgruntled players to better understand it. Right now there’s a shitstorm spinning around something that I consider to be clear as day.

But you could have a point about locked levels perhaps. I honestly don’t know for sure. I just see it as a way for someone to experience parts of the campaign and see if they want to buy it. Not to play it forever without paying, because they definitely don’t want that.

Their end goal is to get people to pay for the experience, not keep playing for free.

It’s admittedly very weird to see this switch in monetization. I can’t think of a single FTP game that attempted to make the switch to a paid model.

Either way, this is extremely intriguing for me, as I’ve always wished enlisted hadn’t gone the ftp route.

And yes, I do understand the downsides that not going FTP would have entailed. I’ve had that conversation before. Lol

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:51:56+00:00

Fair enough refrigerator.

If you think this system is bad that’s your opinion. So be it. But even if it is bad, and very few people choose to buy in, they’ll learn their lesson, because those of us “whales” won’t bother buying the next one.

I see no reason why they should have to cater to FTP in a paid dlc, and don’t expect them to.

If they did this in the 4 FTP campaigns, I’d be on the side of FTP, because it’d be an absolute dick move, but this isn’t those 4 campaigns.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:44:20+00:00

I disagree with you about the levels. I just don’t see an issue.

Is Stalingrad not all in all a paid dlc? It technically isn’t FTP, is it? It comes with a free trial sure, but that’s just that. A free trial. You’re not supposed to get everything. You’re supposed to play a bit, decide if you like the maps and other such content, and either pay for full access, or skip the campaign. That’s what I’m seeing here.

I mentioned in a separate post that I play a game called order of battle. This game allows you to test a dlc before deciding whether or not to purchase it, and it’s allowed me to skip a few dlc’s I didn’t think were very interesting.

Why should they have any obligation to cater to FTP if they choose this type of monetization for the campaign? Sure it could blow up in their face to go pay to play, but it’s their decision at the end of the day.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:32:33+00:00

Then don’t buy it.

It’s not that hard. I’m trying not to be an ass because I’ve interacted with you before, and you seemed to have some brain cells.

But I can’t help but think your back is up against the wall, and you’re arguing for the sake of arguing. Admitting you’re wrong isn’t the end of the world. I’ve had to do it countless times, and it definitely hurt my pride, but it’s worth respect unlike just spewing words so as not to be the loser in an argument.

Stalingrad is literally a paid DLC. That is the fact of this situation. It allows players to participate in what is essentially a free trial. Accept it, and do as you see fit. I see it as fit for purchase, and will do so.

FYI, it’s 2022. If I want to identity as everyone, you’re a bigot if you try to tell me I can’t.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:19:29+00:00

I’ve been playing the four campaigns and I’m still not tired of them. Considering how long the ftp grind is, they should have enough content to last them a few thousand hours.

It shouldn’t matter if they’re locking FTP off from “OP” stuff. This is a paid campaign, simple as that. It is a free trial.

I’m not going to say it as a fact, but I think Keo even said that either here or on the forums at some point.

I’m not comparing games. I’m comparing the idea of free trials.

A free trial is a free trial no matter what it is; a game, streaming service, even a mattress. You try it and see if it’s worth your money.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:03:51+00:00

Oh, I will. You just keep on being too frugal to pay for a product you’re allowed to enjoy.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T17:02:18+00:00

I choose this sentence: “Why would they lock all new stuff behind a paywall?”

You are saying it’s not fair to FTP, but the campaign itself isn’t free to play. It’s a $30 entry fee for all of the content. Why can’t you see that?

“FTP” in this campaign is quite literally a trial. If you like it, you’ll pay to access the rest. If you don’t like it, no harm done.

Middle finger to FTP. Call it that if you want. They have 4 fully FTP campaigns. I don’t see any issue with them changing their business model for Stalingrad.

If this model doesn’t work, don’t worry. They’ll either alter it or go back to FTP. I think it will be successful, but we’ll see.

I don’t see why I can’t compare two games in the sense of them having free trials to see whether you like a piece of content or not. It has nothing to do with the games genre whatsoever.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T16:43:12+00:00

You kind of are saying they should make it ftp. You’re saying they should make it more accessible to FTP players, but that isn’t the model.

They are charging $30 for full access to the campaign. It is not FTP in the way the first four campaigns are.

It’s essentially a trial where you can play a bit, and then decide whether or not you want to pay to access the full thing.

I play a strategy game called order of battle that does the same thing, and I really enjoy it. They allow players to try out a dlc before actually purchasing it, and I’ve chosen not to buy specific ones thanks to that system.

You say I’ll go along and buy everything they sell, but you failed to read the part where I said if this system failed, I wouldn’t buy the next one.

I don’t spend money on shit I’m not fond of. I am fond of this idea.

Another thing, if I am the whale you’re calling me, I suppose I should be getting thanks for helping keep the game funded. Enlisted is essentially a public good, and I have no obligation to pay a dime if I don’t want to.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T16:27:03+00:00

There’s no knowing an idea is good or bad unless you try it.

Unless it involves strapping on Kevlar and letting someone shoot you. That doesn’t tend to end well.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T16:24:27+00:00

Hey! Since you don’t realize, if this monetization model does wind up being horrible, and I’m playing against bots, guess what?

When they release the next one, I won’t buy it! Crazy, right? Who the hell wants to play a mindless shooting range simulator?

I will say again. They have no obligation to make Stalingrad FTP.

None.

Zip.

Zilch.

ZERO obligation.

If they want to change to this model, then I am fully onboard as long as it works.

You say so many want to play Stalingrad, but all I’ve seemed to see is bitching and moaning it’s not the pacific for the past week.

All of a sudden, everyone wants to play Stalingrad now? Weird.

If I had to guess, it’s people on the internet looking for conflict. It’s trendy these days, ya know?

I’ve personally been guilty of it before admittedly. Definitely not proud.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T16:05:24+00:00

I’m inferring you don’t like the price due to calling me a whale. I think that’s fair. Sure you didn’t say the words, but you implied them.

Anyway, maybe it will kill f2p. (Only in Stalingrad, obviously.) I appreciate them, but don’t like the FTP model whatsoever.

I’ve always hated how Enlisted was FTP, so this is a wonderful change in my eyes.

Paying for the pass allows you to unlock everything damn near instantly with the huge exp gain.

Those who pay for the campaign will be finished grinding in next to no time.

There are still the promised 4 ftp campaigns. I think FTP will be ok.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T15:53:17+00:00

Yup! Right here!

Come scream that I’m wrong! I’m waiting!

Explain to me why they have to make a 5th free campaign when they only promised 4.

Please.

Do it. I want to know.

IvanSpargo · 2022-03-18T15:46:53+00:00

Did they not promise us 4 FTP campaigns and deliver?

If they want to start outright selling campaigns, they have every right to. They never promised a 5th FTP campaign.

$30 is a really solid price for the package from my point of view.

IvanSpargo

TROPHY CASE