Recently, players have been picking up on some interesting little details about Respawnables and its developers, Digital Legends. Many players have pointed out that there's a very good chance that the "new" events and updates you see recently, weren't designed recently. In fact, many players think they were made as early as mid 2014. Here's a look at the evidence.
Accidental leaks.
If you were playing the game back in August 2014, you might remember players making a fuss over this image, which was released as an advert for the original Summer Camp event, released in August 2014. The image, which Digital Legends uploaded to their Facebook and Twitter, contained a weapon that was, at the time, completed unreleased. Players spent time wondering why there was minigun in the stack of official Respawnables weapons we were familiar with. The answers would not come for another year.
With the release of Version 3.1.0 and Salute Our Troops, the weapons seen in the image, the aptly named the "Minigun", saw an official release as a prize in the event. This means that the weapon was accidentally leaked ten months before we were ever supposed to have seen it. So, why is it that they had the model for this weapon that long before its release? Because Digital Legends made everything in advance mid last year.
The Minigun is not the only item that has been treated in the this way. The Road Warrior Bundle, seen in the following Version 3.2.0, was apparently seen through a bug in the game at around the same time as the Minigun's leak. This implies that all these weapons, bundles and more that we've seen released this year have been encrypted in the game's code this whole time. We've just never had access to it officially. Players are now talking about a "leaked" crossbow weapon; whether or not it's real is something we'll find out if and when Digital Legends release the weapon.
With the release of Version 3.1.0 and Salute Our Troops, the weapons seen in the image, the aptly named the "Minigun", saw an official release as a prize in the event. This means that the weapon was accidentally leaked ten months before we were ever supposed to have seen it. So, why is it that they had the model for this weapon that long before its release? Because Digital Legends made everything in advance mid last year.
The Minigun is not the only item that has been treated in the this way. The Road Warrior Bundle, seen in the following Version 3.2.0, was apparently seen through a bug in the game at around the same time as the Minigun's leak. This implies that all these weapons, bundles and more that we've seen released this year have been encrypted in the game's code this whole time. We've just never had access to it officially. Players are now talking about a "leaked" crossbow weapon; whether or not it's real is something we'll find out if and when Digital Legends release the weapon.
Recycling content.
In 2015, we have not ever seen an original event concept. Not one. They've all been recycled concepts from 2014. They redesign content in ways that make you think otherwise, but it's become quite clear that very little thought was put into any of the recent updates, and instead ideas from past events were used. Put in in perspective, and take a look at this:
This goes perfectly with the idea that they set everything up in 2014. If they'd tried to fit all this in last year, their ability to design, code and playtest new ideas would have been incredibly limited due to time constraints. So, they just recycled these old events. All they've done is changed their themes, so that it doesn't feel as stale as it really should. The only other explanation for this is that Digital Legends have just been lazy, which is unlikely.
Also, If you look at some of the weapons they have released recently, you can see similar patterns with recycling material. The Minigun is just like the Siege Cannon and the Dual Airsoft SMG is just like the Dual Machine Guns. It's likely both weapons and their respective events were designed in a rush last year. Also, notice the similarities between the Red Hero Armour and the A.S.P. Armour? They have practically the exact same design, once again using old material. It seems they planned and designed this all quickly 2014, so they could have more time later. Why would they do all this? Perhaps it's because of...
- Chinese New Year was Ghostbuster's 30th, except with Chinese Nian dragons, not ghosts.
- Easter Egg Hunt 2 was exactly what it sounds like: the sequel to the original Easter Egg Hunt.
- Earth Day was just like Ninja Path, except much harder and with green leaves as points instead of ninja shurikens.
- Salute Our Troops was exactly like Road to Glory; almost identical, in fact.
- Summer Camp 2 is the sequel to the original Summer Camp.
This goes perfectly with the idea that they set everything up in 2014. If they'd tried to fit all this in last year, their ability to design, code and playtest new ideas would have been incredibly limited due to time constraints. So, they just recycled these old events. All they've done is changed their themes, so that it doesn't feel as stale as it really should. The only other explanation for this is that Digital Legends have just been lazy, which is unlikely.
Also, If you look at some of the weapons they have released recently, you can see similar patterns with recycling material. The Minigun is just like the Siege Cannon and the Dual Airsoft SMG is just like the Dual Machine Guns. It's likely both weapons and their respective events were designed in a rush last year. Also, notice the similarities between the Red Hero Armour and the A.S.P. Armour? They have practically the exact same design, once again using old material. It seems they planned and designed this all quickly 2014, so they could have more time later. Why would they do all this? Perhaps it's because of...
Afterpulse.
If you haven't heard already, Digital Legends and GAMEVIL USA have collaborated to create Afterpulse, a new third-person shooter game reminiscent of blockbuster shooter games like Modern Combat. The game has been softlaunched in Australia, but isn't around anywhere else - yet. It's possible Digital Legends now spend all their time on Afterpulse, and that's why Respawnables has been getting so much recycled content recently. Digital Legends knew they'd have to dedicate their time to the new game; that's why they did everything in 2014, in preparation for spending 2015 working on Afterpulse.
This also answers plenty of other questions, besides why everything is recycled and made a year before its release. Many players have commented on how almost no new permanent content, like new maps or Cash and Gold items, have been added recently. Afterpulse is a good explanation for this; since the developers have been spending time on Afterpulse, they haven't had time to make new content for Respawnables. That's why any new maps we get are just special themed versions of existing ones (take Chinatown and Westside District as examples). Many players have also said Respawnables has become pay to win recently, with tons of overpowered items being added through IAP. This would make sense with Afterpulse's development; perhaps Digital Legends needed more money to fund Afterpulse, so they've devised ways to get more people to spend money on Respawnables, at the cost of its playability without money.
Hopefully, after Afterpulse sees a global release, we'll see some more care for Respawnables from Digital Legends. It'll be interesting to see what Digital Legends' priorities will be following Afterpulse's global release.
Hopefully, after Afterpulse sees a global release, we'll see some more care for Respawnables from Digital Legends. It'll be interesting to see what Digital Legends' priorities will be following Afterpulse's global release.