Just to be clear, this game isn't free to play. They give you a free character more or less as a large demo to try it out and then you can buy a la carte or you can buy everything if you want.

It's not like a Facebook game that you never actually own and can be taken down at any time or makes you wait before you can play again unless you want to pay or they charge you for the ability to open more powerful attacks or any of that crap.

People erroneously referred to it as free to play when the game was first announced and the devs have been trying to shoot that idea down ever since because it's not true.

Anyways, I think that there is just this divide between those that feel they're getting ripped off and those that don't. I've read up on the way that they're releasing the game and to me, I'm fine with it.

I pay $20 now (or $40 for ultra edition now) and by the time what I've paid for is done, I'll have two more characters (bringing the total to eight), arcade, story, and more outfits including classic outfits. Is all of that together with what's already here worth $20 or $40? I think it's a solid deal. Not the deal of the century, but good enough, especially if $40 gets me OG Killer Instinct.

Then season 2 comes along with eight more characters, probably online lobbies and spectator mode (among other possible modes), more costumes and accessories, a real final boss etc, again, probably for $20.

Why does that seem like such a ripoff to people? So many people pay $60 a year for what basically amounts to roster updates in sports games, racing games that are eerily similar to last years racers, fighting games with a few new characters and modes, shooters that are so derivative from one another that the backlash gets bigger with each annual release... Yet they want to charge $20 for more KI content and some people feel like they're getting screwed with their pants on?

I know that's not everyone, and a lot of people are fed up with the EA Madden formula, the Activision COD formula etc, but again, $20 more for what I've mentioned versus what I can only assume will be a $40 price tag for Street Fighter fans to get the privilege of playing with four characters that they just used in SF x Tekken?

Yes, the game's not finished. We all assume that Microsoft wanted this game to be a launch title, but so what? I have six characters and I freaking love it. I'm actually learning the little nuances for each characters, what their auto doubles look like for combo breakers, what their instinct mode does, and how to play each character beyond button mashing so that I can actually get a feel for how everyone plays.

I know that sounds like someone that's trying to look on the bright side and make the best of a crappy situation but for me, this is all true. I don't have a ton of free hours in my day to devote to learning 30 characters inside and out in a short period of time. I'm sure I'll want more characters soon, but Spinal's on his way in January and Fulgore in March. Plus, it seems like they might make Shadow Jago more than a Jago skin.

Would I prefer a finished game? I guess. More tends to be better and yeah, KI fans deserve it after waiting so long. But I like what I have so far, and if I could choose between this and a fully finished product in two years? I'll take this now, because I'll be getting the stuff that finishes the game later on and if I don't? I still have a game that's an absolute blast to play.

To me, it's the best of both worlds. Plus it's a great way to give long suffering fans something to sink their teeth in to on day one. That's decent fan service (even if it's about five years later than it should've been!)

What's so decent about it? People receive piece of the game with barely no content and no guarantees, that it will be continued. It's not fan service - if anything it is fan disservice. Imagine waiting for the new installment of the series for almost 20 years and then receiving this...shard.
I am understanding, that lack of characters give people more time to learn the ones that are present, but on the other hand, what's so different in learning each character, if you have more of them? Nobody forces you or anyone else, to immediately learn all of them and its impossible to do anyway.

Also, while DH intentions is understandable (making platform like League of Legends) it's a different case. There is severe lack of content and fighting game is remarkedly different genre from strategy. I don't think, that it'll work in this case in the long term.

It's not that I hate new KI. I think the game is quite beatiful and has the spirit of the preview parts, but the way MS decided to handle it's development and publishing is horrible and potentially could make more harm for the series, rather than use.

It's not an assumption, it's the truth. Microsoft released an unfinished game so it could meet the launch deadline. And you have to consider this: What if Wave 2 doesn't sell? Guess what'll happen? Microsoft will drop support and you'll have a dead game.

KI is running on a risk, when it shouldn't. The success of this game all rides on whether or not people buy another season of content. This is clearly not the best for KI's future. Releasing a complete game at retail stores would get more sales I guarantee you that.

And no, playing a sliver of a game is not a service. It's a slap in the face. That's like a waitress bringing me a bite of steak and saying "Enjoy this while we finish your steak." Just give me the whole fucking steak.

Sorry I thought it posted the firs time thanks for the info. I will check it out

Sup.

I got the game. It's awesome. Heading to my first local tournament tomorrow. I do want to respond to a lot of you regarding the value/development debate going on, but I don't really have time right now unfortunately. I'll respond when I can.

On another note, the DH guys were asked on stream if we'd see any Spinal gameplay footage before 2014, and they said "probably not." I don't understand that at all. If they're still balancing the character, I get that, but I'd just be insanely surprised if they haven't finished his animations and aesthetics yet.

They also said they were "happy with the sales" so far (whatever that means).
Kabal20, I'm down for games whenever (that goes to anyone else who wants to play, of course).
EDIT: Oh, and they did confirm that arcade ladder and story mode were going to be separate modes. That's pretty interesting if you ask me.

It is odd. I actually won a copy of the fan guide and got it a few days ago. It does show Spinal already working in game (playing against Shadow jago). They only list 2 of his 4 special moves though. He will have a teleport and projectile. Maybe for the rest of the year, they are concentrating on ironing out bugs, rather than getting Spinal up and running. Just an idea.

I'm down to play whenever too. If anyone else also happens to have the game just add me: Kabal31082.

I figured I'd also post some more of my match videos. I don't win in all of them, but i just want to show how fast a match can change in KI. There are so many meta games going on in the game:

Shadow Jago vs Glacius

Thunder vs Jago


Thunder vs Jago (1st time grasping the counter breaker system) w/ 29 hit 50% combo

MS has showed Orchid's classic costume:
http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy152/IOnEIFalcon/classic_orchid1_zpsb3fb7ee4.png
http://media.eventhubs.com/images/2013/12/12_orchid02.jpg

http://ru.twitch.tv/microsoftstudios/b/486934096

Part of the Spinal's theme?

New patch allows to choose classic Orchid costume. Also, it is possible to choose classic Jago costume via bug.
CLASSIC JAGO LEAKED: How To Select Classic Skins

In a free demo version of the game Sabrewolf replaced Jago as a free character.

Classic Jago's 4th accessories set is badass. It's Voltron hands and feet:

Killer Instinct - Classic Jago Voltron

EDIT: This lack of Spinal media is getting ridiculous. We know the character is done because tournament players have him on their tier lists already in SoCal. DH is pretty much trolling us at this point.
EDIT 2: Well, at least we got pretty pictures. He looks good, but the shape of the shield looks kinda strange. The stage looks amazing. Can't wait to see Glacius in that lighting. Spinal Pics

Double Helix Stream

I get why a lot of people are getting antsy for him, but I'm still having tons of fun with the game game regardless. I still have a ton of stuff to unlock in the KI store. We'll get him eventually. They did say he would be released on January and the month is only half over.

Plus the great news is we'll get lobbies by the end of the month too. Now if only they can fix the rage quitter problem at the same time. A lot of people will be happy. It would more than make up for the lack of Spinal right now.

That's the thing though. It is Mid-Jaunary and we haven't even seen a trailer for him. It doesn't take that long to edit and make trailers.

I think it may have to do more with certain media outlets that might have already gotten exclusive right to show spinal's trailer. Kind of like how IGN got Orchid.

I sure wish they put up more new characters like Sadira in the game.

What new characters would you all want to appear in the game?

Well considering that the franchise is about how Ultratech is this evil corporation that rules the world and does things people want to stop, wouldn't it make sense for there to be a character who's from Ultratech who actually represents the company, like some kind of scientist or businessman? Fighting game characters who wear a suit and tie always seem silly at first but end up being kinda badass.

I've thought about that exact same thing. The CEO of Ultratech. The ultimate puppet master, pulling all of the strings. Who would this person be? Would they be a person at all or some entity disguised as a suit? Maybe they'd be like Calypso from Twisted Metal Black, or maybe they'd be more like an agent from The Matrix or something completely different.

There has to be something sinister behind this corporation and I really hope that Double Helix can put a cool story together around who that person would be, their background, and how they connect to the other characters.

Just a quick stream recap.

The developers strongly implied that the time travel events of KI2 have been retconned. I presume Jago's Tiger spirit is still Gargos, but it sounds like Tusk/Maya have been written out of the story. Kinda makes me sad because even though I never liked Tusk, I would have liked to have seen what Tusk looked like after assimilating a few years in a cyberpunk type society. Also, his theme was so sick. They said he may still make the cut, but they would have to re-imagine aspects of the character.

As for Spinal, they confirmed he has no dash but instead a forward run that he can normal cancel. That. Is. Fucking. Awesome. I really like how DH changes traditional mobility to create strategic diversity. He also has a divekick, but I think most people already knew that. Spinal can utilize the shadow version of his teleport to utilize it in the air.

Spinal will be released next week, and we will see the trailer before Thursday's stream. There is still no specific release date.

Despite showing nothing in the artbook, Glacius will have a classic costume. Again, I'm sure most of us deduced that, but seeing no Glacius concept art in the alt costume section was kinda disconcerting.

When asked if Eyedol would show up, the developers gave a flat out "no." Campbell also straight up said he didn't like Kim Wu.

Despite constantly saying that they're working on no mercy's, it doesn't sound like any actual development has started. That's the impression I got anyway. To them, "working" means "we want to do it, and if Season 2 happens, we will do it." I couldn't give two shits about no mercy's, but I would LOVE to see Ultimates and Stage finishers.

Didn't they say at some point months ago that the reason Jago's temple stage looks all wrecked is when he found out the Tiger Spirit was just Gargos manipulating him, he started tearing up the joint in anger? And that Sabrewulf did once have cyber arms, but used magic to grow his real ones back?

I haven't heard it directly from developers, but that's what everyone's been saying on the forums. I definitely haven't read anything contrary to that.

If you want to hear it directly from the source, DH starts talking about Tusk at 30:54 on the stream. All they really say is they're not using all the storylines from the previous games, and that the time travel plot point puts a different twist on Tusk than what they would do with him in the new game. There are a few ways you could interpret that. Either it means the Time Travel segment is written out, or that it won't be relevant to Tusk's modern incarnation.

IGN will be debuting Spinal's gameplay trailer tomorrow morning. Some of the twitter accounts of the developers and MS PR have also been mentioning the Fulgore tease as well in the trailer.

Well it's about damn time. Shit when is Spinal coming February?

They did say January, and DH has said the release date hasn't been pushed back, so this Friday the latest.

Also of note, MS Game Studio head Phil Spencer also tweeted earlier today, claiming Killer Instinct is a success and they are looking at more IP's to dig up.

Fulgore stole the show in this trailer!

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2a80wur.jpg

Spinal is really cool, but I cant help myself but see, that he actually uses quite a lot of moves from MK characters: Shinnok's bone hands, Quan's green skulls-projectiles, Kung Lao's dive kick and Kai's downward projectiles.

http://assets.ign.com/videos/zencoder/960/742de64b608caf7bf1c0cf4e73099f1e-1500000-1391033710-w.mp4
Spinal's gameplay explained.

On unrelated note: Fulgore knows how to do a Master Spark?