Sigh....So, I have read all 40+ pages on The Beta forum, as well as this thread, in regards to the new game feature/content... The Spire. This is going to be long, there is no way around it, not for me...So, if you are feeling kind and generous, and are in this post for the long haul, please fasten your seat belts & I do hope you enjoy the "ride".
I began playing this game about a year ago. ( I am used to playing single player games that require one to build cities, colonies, etc.). As I mentioned before, I have played many games of this genre...Master of Orion, Civilization, Pharaoh/Cleopatra, etc. It quickly became evident to me, that I will have to pay money for premium expansions, if I want to play this game "my" way, and have a bit more space to get my city up and running.
This was my first decision I was faced with regarding this game. Well, suffice to say, AT THE TIME, it was a no-brainer! I instantly was in "love" with the game. It is very gorgeous to look at with the art and all! I immediately started trying to formulate what my strategy for playing this game was going to be. Initially, I wanted to get "caught" up, and get through the chapters sooner instead of later. Why??? It was two-fold.
I didn't want to be behind for the entire time I am going to play this game AND I wanted my city to look "cool" to me. After looking at how my city was looking "cooler" as I would upgrade more and more, progressing through the Tech Tree, this reinforced my resolve and zeal, and I concluded that my strategy for playing this game was giving me excitement and fun. I had a goal, and proceeded to step one...
Spend money for some expansions, so I can start implementing my plan of getting my fledgling city up and running. I did not know about boosts or tournaments, etc. Which brings me to my first dilemma I had. The map around my city, in regards to my trader, had me at my first roadblock. Not much seemed to be happening in the way of trades, at least not for resources I needed. So, I assumed I needed to build all factories.
At which point, I spent even more money, for more premium expansions, UNTIL, I saw how ridiculous the cost for the next one would be. My strategy had failed! I had already invested a few hundred US dollars (by this point) & I was right back to the drawing board, of how am I, as a new player, going to ever get caught up, if I can't get the resources I need, etc., to keep any kind of momentum in research, upgrades and so forth?
But, little did I know that, that was only the start of the challenges to come. Which I tried to be positive about & considered it a challenge to figure out how I would over come this obstacle. I tried many things, including starting a fellowship. I will spare all the steps & details...but in the end, I found myself literally "stuck" in this game, for almost 2 months. I had no culture at all and no space as well as tech locked.
I could not build or upgrade anything. I started giving all my KP's to my AW's I had. I was not only invested in this game, but I was also extremely frustrated. Had a falling out with my fellowship, so I made someone else AM and went back to being a solo player.
It was time for a rethink for me, on my strategy and how I could make the game fun for me again. In the end, I decided I didn't like my boosts (Steel, Crystal & Elixirs). I wanted Marble, Silk & Gems. Especially Marble, for building & upgrading my Wonders faster.It was the only thing I was having fun with, was leveling my AW's, at this point. So, with my new game strategy & plan, I went off to contact Support, in hopes of having my boosts changed.
Unable to have that done, but Support was extremely helpful, friendly & professional. I was told that I could make a new account to try for the boosts I wanted. I was floored and ecstatic! The Star Wars Theme played in my head! There was hope! I started off with a new vigor and passion for the game. I was elated beyond words. I was on a mission. I will get the boosts I want and I will be having fun again. I was like a kid at Christmas.
Well, getting the boosts I wanted, seemed impossible. O.O...So, back to Support I went. Explained I had made a "few" new accounts, and still not having accomplished my goal. :/ They expressed their condolences and encouraged me to keep trying, in essence, and so I did.
I finally got what I wanted. End result? I had almost a whole fellowship of accounts, so I made 2-3 more, and did just that. Put them all into a fellowship together.I am GlamDoll on Arendyll, GlamBabes fellowship.
I have spent even more hundreds of dollars since, to get her up and running, etc. I earn all my KP's from all 25 of my cities doing Tourneys, etc. I have cities that have their Wonders built because I make sure they each get their relics they need, by earning them from my main city. Yes, my main city has many levels for her Wonders, and my others do not....YET! Why?
I am waiting to build the wonders in those other cities, that my Main City needs relics for, so that I can do my KP swap with all my other cities, to get said relics. It is my fellowship, and I get to run it how I choose.
Conclusion: As I stated in my other long post...I am being penalized for My Ancient Wonders LEVELS. I am currently tech locked in Orcs >...> I have to put ALL my KP's SOMEWHERE. At least now I have a better understanding, on why my squad size is OFF the chart in The Spire. And the amount of goods it wants from me is just as bad, imo. And that's just for me to go in and say "boo" to the very FIRST spirit! LMAO!
Thank you for taking the time to read all that! And, if you made it all the way to the end /bow, hopefully, it was not unpleasant and perhaps even, helpful?
Sincerely,
EZ/GlamDoll