HUNGER, a stunning extraction RPG set in Napoleonic France, recently underwent a major test that saw a peak of 16,000 players head in to sample the game. It proved to be a rampant success, and as one of the folks who tested the game, I’m happy to report it’s shaping up very nicely and should make a major splash in the extraction space when it hits early access.
In a new blog post on Steam, the folks at GOOD FUN Corporation revealed their feedback on the test, addressed the improvements they want to make, and confirmed that an open beta will land before early access goes live.
HUNGER’s Devs Are Aware
My HUNGER test went like gangbusters, and I fell in love with the game’s visual palette, post-apocalyptic setting, and historical themes. It’s a wonder to behold, and it’s a very refreshing addition to the extraction lineup. It’s certainly unique, and it has a great ‘class’ mechanic that allows you to become whoever you want in this devastated, ravaged world.
In a new blog post, the team at GOOD FUN thanked players for their involvement in the test, stressing it was a success overall that allowed them to study how players interact with the game and learn what they need to work on before the next test goes live.
Even midway through the test, the team was able to keep things afloat without disruption:
Across the entire Closed Beta, we only needed to deploy a single client hotfix, and the issues addressed were relatively limited in scope. Other problems that arose on the backend were largely resolved without requiring client updates, taking the game offline, or interrupting your playtime.
What was especially heartwarming for the team was to see how many players pushed to the highest in-game level available during the test, despite knowing it was a limited-time thing and that their progress would be wiped after the test.
Another enormously encouraging part of this test was seeing how many of you continued returning to HUNGER over the course of the Closed Beta.
Testing environments are strange things. Players know that their progress will eventually be wiped, that the test will only last for a limited period, and that they’re playing a game which is still very much in development.
On top of that, a short testing window doesn’t necessarily coincide with everyone’s availability. Some of you had plenty of time to play, while others could only squeeze in a few hours.
With that said, we were incredibly encouraged by the number of players who kept coming back, progressing through the game, experimenting with builds, and investing significant amounts of time into their characters.
Now the team turns to what they can improve before the next test.
They confirmed that there will be an open beta phase before HUNGER enters early access, but dates for everything have yet to be locked in.
Here are the most important things they want to improve or address:
- Spatialised audio and occlusion need improvement
- Vepr is performing above intended balance
- Spear lunge is proving overly strong/effective
- Base movement speeds feel a touch too sluggish
- Power gap between low-level players and higher-level players feels too significant
- Vaulting/mantling can feel clunky and imprecise
- Vendor item availability needs further balancing
- Reconnect feature (coming)
I maintain that HUNGER will be a hugely popular addition to the extraction space. It looks phenomenal on the surface, and there’s a lot of depth there for folks who want to sink their teeth into something meatier than your average shooter.
Did you play HUNGER’s test? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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