Spectre Divide Backlash Prompts Skin Prices to Lower Soon After Launch

Spectre Divide Lowers Skin Prices Hours After Launch and Player Backlash30% SP Refund for Select Players

Spectre Divide developer Mountaintop Studios announced a store price reduction and responded to players' concerns over the eye-watering prices of skins and bundles in the game. The costs of in-game weapons and character skins are reduced by 17-25%, depending on the item, as announced by game director Lee Horn. The decision came just hours after the game's release, following widespread backlash over the pricing.

"We've heard your feedback and we're making changes," the studio said in a statement. "Weapons & Outfits will be permanently decreasing in price by 17-25%. Players who purchased store items before the change will get a 30% SP [in-game currency] refund." The move came after players voiced their frustrations with the game's pricing structure for skins and bundles. For instance, the popular Cryo Kinesis Masterpiece bundle initially cost around $85 (9,000 SP), which many players felt were too high for a free-to-play title.

Mountaintop Studios pledged that it is offering a 30% SP refund to players who made purchases before the price reduction, rounded up to the nearest 100 SP. However, prices for the Starter pack, Sponsors, and Endorsement upgrades will remain unchanged. These packs "will not have any adjustments. Anyone who purchased the Founder's pack / Supporter pack, and purchased the items above will get the extra SP added to their account as well," the studio said.

While some players were grateful of the decision, reactions remained varied, just like its rating on Steam sitting at 49% Unfavorable at the time of writing. The backlash entailed negative review bombings on Steam, with the game receiving "Mixed" reviews due to the expensive costs of in-game items. One player on Twitter (X) said, "Def not sufficient, but it’s a start! And it’s great that you’re at least listening to players feedback." Another player suggested further improvements: "I wish we could buy specific items from packs like hairstyles or accessories! You’d probably get more money from me tbh!"

Others, however, remained uncertain. One fan expressed dismay over the timing of the change, saying, "You needed to do that beforehand, not when people are upset about it and then you change it. If you keep on going in this direction then I don’t think this game will last any longer. Cause in future you will get difficult competition from other f2p games too."