Temtem Developer Crema Announces Changes; No More Islands, Tems, or Microtransactions
Crema’s decision to end new content development for Temtem
A week after sparking a sometimes acrimonious debate over whether or not its game is really an MMO, Temtem developer Crema has announced significant changes for the game. Following the upcoming 1.7 update, no new islands, Tems, or passes will be released, and all microtransactions will be removed.
Temtem, a massively multiplayer creature collecting adventure, gained significant popularity after a successful 2018 Kickstarter campaign. However, some players felt that Crema’s vision for the game did not live up to their expectations for a conventional MMO.
Crema responds to player expectations
The conversations about Crema’s commitment to Temtem continued when the studio announced an upcoming game called Temtem: Swarm. Fans believed that this new project meant the original game was being abandoned.
Crema CEO Enrique Paños Montoya further fueled this debate when he responded to fans on Discord, suggesting that improving Temtem 1 no longer satisfied the player base and that new projects were necessary for its continued success.
Crema clarified its position, assuring players that Temtem is here to stay. The studio plans to continue updating the game alongside the development of Temtem: Swarm.
Crema’s plan for Temtem’s future
In a detailed statement posted on Steam, Crema provided insights into its plans for Temtem’s future. The upcoming 1.7 update, expected to release in early June, will introduce a new season, a new Tamer Pass, and address various bug fixes, balance changes, and quality of life improvements. Notably, this update will remove all real-money microtransactions, making all previous premium content accessible with Feathers, an in-game currency.
Although it will be the last update featuring a new season and Tamer Pass, Crema assured players that the 1.8 patch is on the horizon. While it will be the last feature-filled patch of the usual size, the studio remains committed to polishing, bug fixing, and balancing Temtem for as long as needed.
Reasons behind the decision
In the announcement, Crema emphasized the rationale behind its decision to end new content development. The studio highlighted technical challenges and the cost of creating new islands and Tems, compared to the brief playtime players experienced with the new content.
Addressing player requests, Crema clarified that it is not currently considering an offline mode. However, the studio assured players that if the servers were ever taken offline, alternatives, such as an offline mode, would be explored to ensure the game remains accessible to all.
Feedback and future developments
The announcement from Crema has garnered mixed reactions from players. While some players appreciated the removal of monetization and the acknowledgment of previous missteps, others remain disappointed and continue to advocate for ongoing development in Temtem.
Steam has experienced a small review bombing campaign with mostly negative reviews in response to the decision to end new content updates.
Despite this, Crema reconfirmed the development of the promised Arcade Bar, which will roll out with the 1.7 update. The Arcade Bar will feature Temtem-themed arcade minigames, and a simplified version of Temtem: Swarm may be added in a future patch.
