Total War Developers Enforce Ban on Steam Forum Boycotts
Creative Assembly, the developer of Total War, takes action against Steam Forum users who called for a boycott of Warhammer 3 due to pricing controversies
Article Key Points
Creative Assembly is banning users who call for boycotts and engage in "unconstructive" discussions about Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC and the Pharaoh game.
Controversies emerged because of the exorbitant price and perceived insufficiency of content in the Shadows of Change downloadable content (DLC).
The recently implemented regulations on the Steam Forum intend to clamp down on antagonistic and unconstructive exchanges, which encompass diverting discussions, disseminating false information, and advocating for boycotts or new Total War titles.
Creative Assembly is implementing new rules on the Total War: Warhammer 3 Steam Forum, targeting users who engage in boycotts and engage in "unconstructive" discussions. These rules were put in place due to the controversies surrounding the Shadows of Change DLC for Total War: Warhammer 3 and the recently released Total War: Pharaoh.
The controversies first arose when it was announced by Creative Assembly that the Shadows of Change DLC, set to release in August, would be priced at $24.99. Fans and content creators alike expressed their dissatisfaction, feeling that the DLC did not offer enough content to justify its price. This sentiment was also shared by a significant number of fans in regards to Total War: Pharaoh. Many fans were additionally upset with Sega and Creative Assembly for diverting resources towards the canceled shooter Hyenas instead of developing a new historical Total War game. As a result, there was a significant backlash towards the management of the franchise, including review bombings of Total War: Warhammer 3 and calls for a boycott of the game.
However, the individuals who call for boycotts have faced bans from the Steam Forum of Warhammer 3. In response to the deteriorating tone of discussions, Creative Assembly has implemented a set of new guidelines for the forum. The studio welcomes constructive criticism but has observed an increase in hostility, off-topic conversations, and unproductive exchanges. In a post now archived, Creative Assembly outlined several scenarios that may result in moderator intervention.
Clear attempts to derail constructive conversation.
Responses aimed at undermining other player's enjoyment of the game
Doomsaying
Calls for boycotts
Spreading misinformation.
Calls for new Total War titles.
The Total War developer provided further clarification on each of these points and concluded the post by emphasizing their desire for respectful communication. However, the timing of this crackdown may give the impression that Creative Assembly is trying to silence criticism. Some fans expressed frustration that although the studio claims to value constructive feedback, they do not seem to take action based on fan input.
Fans were particularly irked by a line that started with, "The right to discuss is a privilege—it is not an entitlement you earn by playing the game..." While it is within Total War developer Creative Assembly's rights to decide who can participate in their forum, the first part of that statement has understandably angered certain fans.
Creative Assembly has taken strong action against players who have violated the new rules, by banning them from the Warhammer 3 Steam forums. This even includes the creator of a popular mod called "New Legendary Lord and Hero Artefacts," which enhances the game with over 300 new items. Unfortunately, the ban prevents them from updating the mod.
However, developers at Warhammer 3 are aware of the concerns raised by the game's community. In response, the Head of Community, Adam Freeman, issued a post offering apologies and further explanations on the same day. While some forum users have found the apology acceptable, others believe it is too little too late or have doubts about the sincerity and honesty of the new post.
Presenting Total War: Warhammer 3
The last installment in Creative Assembly's captivating trilogy, Total War: Warhammer 3, flawlessly merges real-time tactics with turn-based strategy gameplay. Scheduled for release in 2022, this highly-anticipated game offers an extensive single-player campaign and embraces beloved modes such as Battles and Domination.
Franchise Total WarPlatform(s) PCReleased February 17, 2022Developer(s) Creative AssemblyPublisher(s) SegaGenre(s) Strategy, Tactical
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Total War series, I am deeply disappointed by Creative Assembly's decision to ban users who call for boycotts and engage in "unconstructive" discussions on the Steam forums. This decision stifles legitimate criticism and feedback from the community, which is essential for improving the game and ensuring that it meets the expectations of its players.
The recent controversies surrounding the pricing and perceived insufficiency of content in the Shadows of Change DLC, as well as the Total War: Pharaoh game, have sparked significant backlash from fans. It is understandable that Creative Assembly would want to address the situation and foster a positive and constructive environment on its forums. However, banning users who express their concerns and call for boycotts is not the right approach.
