Firewatch Developer Offers Classy Response To Steam Refund Request

Last weekend, one Firewatch player was having a monetary dilemma. They’d beaten the game. They liked the game, which tasks players with hiking in the Wyoming wilderness. But they also felt that spending $18 for a 2-3 hour experience might be asking for too much.

[yeahright2]

I haven't played yet, but I bought this game already and I'm going to start it up as soon as I'm done with the original witcher.
From all the reviews and talk I've read and heard, I doubt I'll regret my purchase.

[freshslicepizza]

it's nice to hear from those who work hard on these games, sometimes we forget actual people make them. needless to say i don't really enjoy the game but i'm not going to ask for a refund. the voice acting is great but as a game it's far too linear and not very enjoyable.

i am planning to stay clear of all these story driven games that aren't really games to me.

[migh_and_highty]

This just shows how easily abusive steam refund is if you can complete (an albeit short game) and still claim a refund.

You know the length before you buy because you can easily check a review which will point it out for a point of concern. If the price is too expecnsive for the content to you, buy it on a sale.

Good response from the dev

[Christopher]

A person has to ignore so much and just fly through the game ignoring so much story to complete the game in such a short time as well.

[isa_scout]

I beat it in about 2.5 hours and I felt like I was playing the game the way they wanted me to play it....I think these reviewers need to use a watch or something when they talk about how long these gams are. Unless you never use the run button I have no idea why it would take 5 hours to beat Firewatch. Hated the game,really hated the game, but it's not like someone force me to buy it so I don't feel like I deserve a refund. Refunds should only be acceptable and granted if a developer lies about the product they are selling or if the game doesn't function. It runs poorly on the PS4, but even then it doesn't get to a point where it affects being able to complete the game. As much as I hated Firewatch this particular players seem entitled. I do love that Janes post changed his mind though. Even though I hated the game it seems that my money at least went to a dev who understands and truly apprciates the support. Who knows maybe their next game will light my fire. Until then I'm glad gamers helped pay the bills because you can obviously tell that they are talented devs. That dynamic theme for Firewatch is incredible as well. Never used a theme for a game I dislike,but it's just so gorgeous.

[Christopher]

"I have no idea why it would take 5 hours to beat Firewatch"

Then you missed a lot of potential elements to the story.

I have a feeling that Firewatch is a good example of a game where you can see the divide between people who want to be told a story and people who want to develop a story on their own terms.

I have my own issues with the whole second half of the game, but I understood that the story was lot more than just doing exactly what Delilah told mea to do.

[isa_scout]

I don't feel like I missed anything from Firewatch. If the whole game would've been like the first several days it would've been great, but the mystery angle just falls flat.And of course you can go walk around, and pick things up, but the story is told exclusively by Henry and Delilahs conversations so I'd disagree with your statement about doing what Delilah says. You can choose not to listen or follow Delilahs suggestion, but then the story wont progress, and in a game like this if the story isn't moving forward what's the point?

[isa_scout]

And BTW I'm completely fine with games like Ark,DayZ, Don't Starve,and H1Z1 requiring players to write their own story, but all the choices in Firewatch, and I mean ALL of them are binary. They don't change or affect the outcome of the game at all. How is that allowing players to write their own story? It's designed to give the illusion of writing your own Henry, but at the end of the game your Delilah and your Henry are doing the same thing mine did.Not much.

[Christopher]

***How is that allowing players to write their own story?***

I think you are confusing "plot line" with "story".

Story 1: "Guy walks into bar, buys drinks, leaves."

Story 2: "Sam was having a hard night, the type of night you needed a hammer to make you forget it happened. As luck would have it, Lucky Screwdriver, a local dive bar, was right around the corner. He may not be able to take a hammer to his head, but perhaps a few of Lucky's Screwdrivers would do the case.

The place was as vibrant as usual, which climaxed with the bright, neon pink sign flashing over the main door and settled into a din filled with smoke and hushed tones by the few patrons who had a head start on forgetting the day's woes.

Sam sidled up to the bar and gave Lucky a slight wave. Lucky has been an established figure for over 20 years, he knew what people needed like a wife might. Sam had never chosen to chain himself down to one gal, and nights like this made him glad he hadn't. Lucky casually filled Sam's translucent chalice with his special elixir. Without fanfare, Sam knocked it back like a pro. And Lucky kept them coming, no questions, no judgment in his eyes.

... and so on"

Story is about what you learn, experience, and do, not just about what main plot line the developers provide you.

[isa_scout]

The plot line is defined in the dictionary as the things that happen in a movie,book, or videogame that drive the narrative/story forward. So the plot line and story are unequivocally linked by a central thread. My argument is that the plot line left me unfulfilled and the story being written is not a story written by the players. Whether your Henry got arrested for a DUI or not it was still designed by the developers to give the illusion of your choices having profound implications. It isn't designed to let every player have a unique experience. I'm not saying that specific story philosophy is inherently bad (as I love Tell Tale games), but if you're creating a "Walking Sim" then the story being told needs to be one worth telling. I respect your opinion as it is just as valid as mine, but in my opinion this game is a 6/10 at best. Oh well, it was nice to at least debate a subject in a civil manner while also having that intellectual itch scratched. Thanks

[DragonDDark]

Dang.. Jane is a badass.

[MasterCornholio]

That was beautiful.

I didn't know these developers had to work is such a confined environment. This article really opens your eyes to how some Indie developers live.

[Jmanzare]

So it's a really 14 day rental with an 18 dollar security charge? Sounds like a good deal to me.