Hello there,
Yes, there are Starmaker supporters actively subscribed to the Patreon and plan to buy the steam version, but that picture don't really show that, Starmaker is not the only game Arvus has, many people come from the Adorevia time and has stayed supporting for that long, others are there for Eclipse and of course a lot for Starmaker as well. "I will be working on it for about x amount of time" doesn't really help because: 1. Kal does a lot of "out of the blue" things, and 2. He also does other things.
Again, yes, communication should have been better but is not radio silence since the last update and progress has been shown.
I am going to be charitable here. I understand it must be difficult and time consuming to juggle multiple projects at the same time and satisfy everyone, its not going to happen and you can only do the best that you can. I also understand how difficult it is to be the middleman who has to bridge the gap between the developer(s) and the audience in forums and discord, it's a big task. However, please don't minimize what my post is about.
1) A common response for people asking for more frequent or substantive updates is that "the game is free bro, stop crying." The screenshot is to demonstrate that many supporters of this game have financially supported this project AND ArvusGames generally, that is something you admit yourself.
2) My criticism is that on the creator's side there has been very poor communication regarding release dates, updates, and timeline related goals for Starmaker, that is just a matter of fact. You're response is that Kal is disorganized and is 'biting off more than they can chew' development wise. Again, I understand and hear you, but that is 100% self imposed. Nobody forced an April release date, for 1.9, nobody forced multiple games to be developed at the same time, every timeline and development decision is on the creator's side, not the supporters.
3) Thank you for acknowledging that communication hasn't been the best, and you are right, it has not been complete radio silence and progress has been shown.
Again, no ill will towards you or the developer(s). All that I and a lot of the community ask is for more transparent and straightforward communication. If there is a delay, just say so. If there is a higher priority fix on another game, say so. That is literally 10x better than the "i can't give more info" "It's still around x %" "it's coming out soon". You'd be surprised how many people would be content and still supportive with just that.
I am not trying to dismiss the intent of your post or the validity of wanting better communication. However, I want to clarify a few key points that are inaccurate in the post:
- The image attached displays total membership and financial data includes legacy supporters dating back to Roundscape, not just active subscribers dedicated exclusively to Starmaker. Using that image to "show" current support levels for just Starmaker is incorrect.
- While communication has certainly been less than ideal, work is actively being done, and progress has been shown multiple times. The main post in this line has been edited 5 times since the initial posting 60 days ago, the latest couple edits showing a new invitation on a known minigame, 2 brand new minigames, and a rework of a minigame that alone in a month covers a communication of what has been worked or is being worked on so while is not a literal new post it shows the work.
- Much of the frustration surrounding phrases like "coming soon" stems from a misunderstanding of the release window, which is set for 2026. People get annoyed by missed deadlines, which is fair. Then the date is set for a year and is called "delayed infinitely", which is incorrect, is a year just like many other NSFW and SFW game set as well.
- Regarding the first point, neither Arvus nor Kal has ever actually made those kind of statements, making it a moot point to bring up as a critique of the communication.
- While nobody forced an April release, much of the frustration stem from a desire for a rigid, immediate deadline rather than accepting the stated 2026 window. Experience has shown that it is far healthier for the project to maintain an open release window than to provide an incorrect, overly optimistic date that ultimately leads to further disappointment.
- To address the sentiment of "If there is a delay, just say so"—the delay was formally communicated back in April. At that time, the target was adjusted to release this year. Because 2026 is still ongoing and development progress continues to be showcased, there are simply no new delays to announce.
Constructive feedback regarding communication is completely fair, but it is important that the discussion remains grounded in accurate information, actual developer statements, and realistic development timelines.