This is intended as constructive criticism. I am only going through the trouble because I really like this game. Sadly, I don't have solutions to all these problems, but the developers aren't aware that these are there, then they should be. This is intended to be a look at what I consider to be the biggest problems from a "fresh perspective"
5. Steep learning curve
This is not a problem for me so much, because I am, generally speaking, "good at games" and I catch on pretty quickly. Not as good as some, not great, even, but pretty good. However, this can turn a lot of people off, which contributes to the bigger problem of the low player base.
4. Horrible single player AI
This is really sort of a subset of 5, because this is one of the reasons why the learning curve is so steep. I have never, ever come even close to losing to the computer on the higher difficulty, yet I have never come close to winning against a human, except my latest game was slightly close. The AI just doesn't behave intelligently at all and is easily exploitable, and as a result does a very poor job of preparing new players for the game. The only way it succeeds is as a randow card draw generator, in case you made a new deck and you want to see a sample draw of what you're likely to get.
3. Bad ladder matching system
I've been having a lot of difficulty. Obviously, the best way to get gold from the ladder is to purposely throw all my games until Wednesday, then play normally and do my best to win. That way, I will be matched up against others with low ratings, and have a better chance of beating them when I play similiar matches. That would be the smart thing to do, but I haven't done it. I have tried to win every game I've played, and I've lost every one. The problem I'm having now, though, is that my rating is so low, that every time I try to find a "similiar opponent" match there is never anybody on who is low enough for me to be matched with. However I can't play an "anyone" match or a challenge match, because that actually hurts my ladder chances if I win, because then I'll be playing against a harder class of opponents, knowing what I know is smart from above.
Let me reiterate this because it is so hugely game breaking. The system not only encourages me to throw games to exploit the system, it discourages me from playing random fun games. Unless non similiar matches don't effect my player rating? But I would have no idea, because there is no documentation one way or the other...
2. Small player base
A lot of the previous problems lead into this one. I understand the game has been doing a lot to bring in new players, and the efforts are working. I have seen banner ads on other sites, and I know those are good sites for potential players. I really liked the boardgamegeek contest for bringing in new players. So this problem has two parts. 1.) The game can't stop with the current advertising efforts, it needs to continue with them, and 2.) MUCH more important, the game needs to find better ways to keep new players who have come here curious. Without knowing any of your fancy statistics I'm sure you keep, I can promise you that a lot of the new players don't stick around very long. The answer to this? I don't know, but with this list, at least I'm telling you why it's not working so much for me.
1. Games can take anywhere up to an hour or so
I've listed this #1 because this is literally the only thing keeping me from continuing to play (very much, anyway) despite everything else. I can play alteil (http://www.alteil.com) and know that I'll be done in half an hour or so, but games can vary wildly here. It makes me sad because if you're playing for an hour, that means it was a tense, close, hard fight. In other words, a good game. And I just don't have the time to play a random match most of the time when I know it can last an hour, especially thinking that I want it to last an hour if it's going to be a good game! Also, most games are forgone conclusions 15 minutes or so before they end. Which is fine for me so far since I think I'm fairly graceful about conceding when I know I've lost, but I can't blame someone for wanting to play it out if I was definitely in the winning position. So I know even if I get "good" at this game I will have a lot of games where I just won't be having fun for the last 15 minutes. My solution to this? The glory required to win is too high. Cut it down, maybe even in half. Or better yet, let players choose their glory goal when they start the game. Maybe it's not a great solution, but at least it's a simple one.
So there's my list. Someone will probably flame me, and tell me to go home, n00b for this, and when they do, everyone else please just ignore the trolls, because I just want the right people to have a chance at seeing one person's opinion of what is really a great and inspired game. The biggest factors, in a nutshell, are small player base, poor documentation, and game length. Good luck, and I wish this game success.
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