Info about Deep Rock Galactic - Supporter Upgrade:

Official game description:
Update - February 2019!
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As part of our **TWO YEAR CELEBRATION** and to thank all our wonderful supporters, we've added a Gilded Paintjob for Bosco to this package.
About the Game
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So you like Deep Rock Galactic, but it’s just not enough? You want more? Well, then the Supporter Upgrade is for you! Help fuel further development of the game, while getting your grubby mining-gloves on this tasty bag of exclusive treats:  
*   Gold plated Paintjob for Bosco in the game!  
*   Supporter-only gold-plated skins for all weapons in the game!  
*   VIP treatment at the ingame Abyss Bar - Get the **SUPPORTER EDITION** of the tasty Glyphid Slammer for your whole team, served in the gaudiest of golden tankards!  
*   A unique Ghost Ship Games themed helmet, marking you as a permanent member of the Skeleton Crew!  
*   Your chat name will be gold, to show off your Supporter status!  
*   The unique Supporter Badge, shown next to your name ingame! (**NEW:** And in chat!)  
*   An exclusive set of blinged-out armor for each class! **NEW** This is now a Paintjob and can be applied to all armors!  
*   Our heartfelt and eternal thanks and gratitude <3
**Important note:** By buying this DLC you are first and foremost showing your support for the game and for us, the developers. The bling-bling in the list above is really just icing on the cake!

Release date: Feb 28, 2018

Categories: Looter Shooter, First-Person Shooter, Cooperative Multiplayer, Procedural Generation, Class-based Combat, Cosmetic Customization, Horde Shooter, Terraforming

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 18; verdict: Fair / Ethical Monetization; summary: The reviewed game demonstrates an ethical monetization model: reviewers consistently highlight a completely free battle pass, no premium currency, no paid skins, no pay-to-win mechanics, and no paywalled classes or weapons. The only post-purchase spending described is optional, non-mandatory cosmetic DLC and supporter packs that confer no gameplay advantage and are framed as voluntary developer support. Remaining complaints concern subjective content quality and base-price/value commentary, neither of which constitutes predatory monetization. No real-money gacha, loot boxes, paid power, convenience items, or currency obfuscation are reported.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: Reviews treat the base game as a complete, fairly priced product. Full price is described as still cheaper than most mainstream games, while sale buyers feel they are stealing it, implying the regular price is above the sale price and remains acceptable. One reviewer says the complete game's price is fair and could even be higher for the quality. This supports a fair base-game range of roughly $20–$30, with $30 as an accepted full-price upper bound and $20 as a lower bound because deep sale prices are seen as unusually generous rather than the fair norm.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The Supporter Upgrade DLC is explicitly described as strictly cosmetic and support-focused content, not a separate game with its own completion path, story, session structure, or endgame. The only numeric playtime statement in the evidence, 400 hours, refers to playing Deep Rock Galactic before or around buying the DLC, not to playtime added by the Supporter Upgrade itself. Therefore none of the requested playtime metrics for the target DLC can be supported.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reviews consistently describe the co-op horde shooter as immediately fun, praising its simple, intuitive design and varied caves. A dissenting review complains about post-development content stagnation and an endless season pass, but does not frame enjoyment as starting after a later event.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slower overall pacing; Season pass progression feels like an endless slog
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Dedicated Supporter (buy)
    - Motivation: To financially support the developers and sustain a game they already love.
    - Playstyle: Long-term co-op mining, buying supporter content after hundreds of hours.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Co-op Teamplay Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a polished, intuitive co-op horde shooter with strong teamplay.
    - Playstyle: Squad-based missions and horde killing with friends or random teams.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cosmetic Flex Miner (buy)
    - Motivation: To express style and show off exclusive cosmetic flair in-game.
    - Playstyle: Mining runs with coordinated gold pickaxe and outfit skins for profile prestige.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Long-haul Wonder Miner (buy)
    - Motivation: To keep experiencing wonder and long-term value in familiar caves.
    - Playstyle: Repeated long sessions, still exploring caves with fresh excitement.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Cosmetic DLC and Support (weight 0.95): The Supporter II Upgrade offers cosmetic items like golden armor paint, weapon skins, and a supporter badge. Many buy it to support the developers and receive bonus skins in return.
- Developer Support and Passion (weight 0.63): Ghost Ship Games is praised for its passion, skill, and community-friendly approach. Reviewers feel the developers deserve support and have earned a reputation for honesty and dedication.
- Free Battle Pass and Monetization (weight 0.47): The battle pass is completely free with no premium options, and there are no pay-to-win mechanics or premium currencies. All content is earnable through gameplay, and the monetization model is widely praised.
- Highly Positive Game Reception (weight 0.46): The game is widely loved, described as fun, magnificent, and a masterpiece. Many reviewers express strong affection and consider it one of the best co-op shooters ever made.
- Co-op Gameplay and Community (weight 0.46): The co-op gameplay is fun and encourages teamwork, with unique classes and charming characters. The community is fantastic, creating a friendly and welcoming environment.
- Gold Cosmetic Theme (weight 0.39): The gold cosmetics are elegant and combine well with other skins. They are not overly flashy but refined, and include matching pickaxe and Bosco skins.
- Supporter Beer and Badge (weight 0.27): The Supporter edition includes a unique beer called Glyphid Slammer and a decorative badge. These items are seen as fun perks that enhance the social experience.
- Value Concerns for DLC (weight 0.18): Some reviewers find the DLC low value for those only interested in cosmetics, as it primarily offers paint jobs without new models. However, it is still seen as a good purchase for supporting the developers.

Common complaints:
- Cosmetic DLC lacks value (weight 0.27): Multiple reviews state the cosmetic DLC is not worth the price, offering little content and no gameplay advantage. Players feel the packs provide insufficient value compared to other options.
- Development focuses on cosmetics (weight 0.16): Developers have primarily released cosmetic updates with few mechanical changes. This has led to frustration that the game is not evolving beyond visual content.
- Skins differ from store images (weight 0.14): Several users report that in-game skins do not match the store page images, with differences in colors and details. This discrepancy is described as bordering on false marketing.
- Gold armor missing or bugged (weight 0.12): Some players did not receive the golden armor skins they purchased, and others report the armor does not appear in-game. This indicates a delivery or rendering issue.
- Technical issues with DLC items (weight 0.12): Users experienced missing weapon frameworks, skins for Bosco and the cup, and issues where only the helmet displays after purchase. Restarting and verifying files did not resolve these problems.
- Cosmetics look outdated or gaudy (weight 0.09): The gold cosmetic is considered outdated and not flashy, while other paints are too bright and gaudy. The armor included in the DLC is also seen as not cool.
- Supporter pack quality inconsistent (weight 0.09): The Supporter paintjob leaves default colors on some classes, the pickaxe icon color is inaccurate, and the Glyphid Slammer mug differs from the original. These inconsistencies reduce satisfaction.
- Limited customization in supporter edition (weight 0.06): Only one version of the ghost ship logo helmet is included, and the tankard works for only one beer type. Players desire more customization freedom.
- Mask design criticized (weight 0.04): The mask resembles the Ghost Ship Games logo and the skull design does not fit the drunk dwarves theme. This aesthetic mismatch is noted by some players.
- Weapon skins could improve (weight 0.03): Weapon skins are seen as needing improvement. This suggests a desire for higher quality or more appealing designs.
- Game comparison to Left 4 Dead (weight 0.03): One review mentions that Left 4 Dead 2 has aged, possibly as a comparison to this game. This is a vague reference with little specific detail.

Gameplay feedback:
- Cosmetic supporter DLC contents (weight 0.41): The pack includes gold paintjobs for armor, weapons, pickaxe, and Bosco, along with a supporter badge, chat icon, and a special helmet. It is purely cosmetic and supports the developers.
- Procedural caves and co-op focus (weight 0.2): Caves are randomly generated with slight variations, and the game features unique classes with strengths and weaknesses that encourage teamwork. It is a co-op horde shooter with a party game feel.
- Supporter Edition beer and customization (weight 0.18): The DLC grants a Supporter Edition of the 'Glyphid Slammer' beer with a unique mug and logo, which can be toggled back to the original. It also provides a golden supporter tag next to the player's name.
- Abyss Bar and drink mechanics (weight 0.18): The lobby features THE Abyss Bar where players can buy drinks from a robot using in-game tokens. Drinks provide buffs and cause drunkenness with various stages and effects.
- Free season pass and no FOMO (weight 0.12): Season passes are free and all past season content remains available, avoiding any fear of missing out. The battle pass ensures an equal playing field for all players.
- Simple and satisfying gameplay (weight 0.12): The gameplay loop is simple yet satisfying, with a well-crafted design that keeps players engaged. It emphasizes exploration, shooting bugs, and working together in co-op.
- Drunkenness and revival system (weight 0.09): Drunkenness progresses through stages like blurred vision and random movement, and knocked-down drunk players can be revived by teammates. If all pass out, they are revived together in the medical station.
- Beer buffs and status robot (weight 0.09): Beer buffs do not stack, and the bar robot's eye light indicates status: green for available, blue for another player buying, and red for unfinished beer. Special beers rotate among three types after missions.
- Free cosmetics and earnable content (weight 0.07): All content in the game, including cosmetics, is earnable through normal gameplay. The purchase is strictly cosmetic and provides no gameplay advantages.
- Oily Oaf beer effects (weight 0.07): Oily Oaf is a standard beer that causes drunk effects from the second cup onward. It can lead to severe drunkenness and knocking the player down after multiple cups.
- Multiplayer and co-op quality (weight 0.07): The game offers quality co-op multiplayer where working together is emphasized. It is a well-regarded cooperative experience.
- Offline play and save system (weight 0.06): The game can be played offline, and mission rewards are kept via local save files in conjunction with cloud saves. This allows flexibility in progression.
- Modding and petting mobs (weight 0.06): The game features integrated modding support and an option to pet certain mobs. These are additional features that enhance player interaction.
- Terraforming and roguelike elements (weight 0.06): Players can terraform the battlefield, and the game includes roguelike elements. These features add strategic depth and replayability.
- Character resets and grinding (weight 0.06): The game has character resets and involves grinding for progression. These mechanics can affect long-term player engagement.
- Frequent updates and patches (weight 0.04): The game receives frequent updates and patches, ensuring ongoing support and new content. This keeps the community engaged over time.
- Named characters and lore (weight 0.04): The game features characters named Molly, Steeve, Dotty, and Lloyd, adding personality to the world. These characters contribute to the game's charm.
- Gold armor requires level 100 (weight 0.03): Coloring armor gold requires reaching level 100, adding a progression goal for players. This is a specific unlock condition for a cosmetic option.
- Content matches description (weight 0.03): The content of the DLC is exactly as described, with no misleading elements. This builds trust with the player base.
- Gunner class shown in store (weight 0.03): The Gunner is a character whose model is shown in the store images, representing one of the playable classes. This is a minor observation about store presentation.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Supporting Developers Is Key Reason (weight 0.47): Many reviewers emphasize that the main purpose of purchasing the Supporter Upgrade is to support the developers, not for the extra content. This sentiment is echoed across multiple clusters, highlighting that the DLC is a way to show appreciation for Ghost Ship Games.
- Recommended for Fans and Supporters (weight 0.24): The DLC is highly recommended for fans of Deep Rock Galactic and those who wish to support the developers. Reviewers often state it's an easy purchase to justify for dedicated players.
- Content Not Worth It Alone (weight 0.14): Several reviewers note that the Supporter Upgrade's included items are not worth the price on their own and should not be bought solely for the cosmetics. The value lies in supporting the developers rather than the in-game content.
- Supporting Devs More Important Than Content (weight 0.12): Reviewers express that the desire to support the developers outweighs the content provided, often rating the support higher than the actual items. This reinforces the idea that the purchase is a donation or thank-you to the dev team.
- Buy on Sale or Bundle (weight 0.11): Some reviewers suggest waiting for a sale or purchasing the bundle to get better value, especially if interested in multiple DLCs. The large bundle is recommended for those who plan to get the supporter pack.
- Not Necessary for Base Game Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Some reviewers point out that the base game alone provides endless fun and the Supporter Upgrade is not required to enjoy the game. There is no pressure to buy it.
- Only for Big Fans (weight 0.07): The Supporter Upgrade is primarily recommended for big fans of the game who want to show extra support. Casual players or those with limited funds may not find it worthwhile.
- Teamwork and Challenge Praised (weight 0.04): The game is praised for its cooperative challenge, making it excellent for friends who enjoy working together. This highlights the social aspect of the game.
- Skeleton Helmet Highlighted (weight 0.04): One reviewer specifically mentions the skeleton helmet as a reason the purchase is worth it, indicating that certain cosmetic items appeal to players.
- New Players Advised on Beer (weight 0.04): New players are advised not to spend money on the beer system themselves but to let veteran teammates buy, suggesting a community aspect to the game's economy.

Other player notes:
- Paid DLC to support developers (weight 0.43): Many reviewers emphasize that the Supporter Upgrade is a way to support the developers financially, with the cosmetics being a bonus. It is often described as a donation or gesture of gratitude.
- Supporter Upgrade includes cosmetic items (weight 0.34): The Supporter Upgrade grants various cosmetic items such as gold skins for classes, Bosco, weapons, a mask, a pickaxe chat badge, and a tankard. These are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay.
- Frequent free updates and patches (weight 0.2): Ghost Ship Games regularly releases free updates and patches, often monthly, with new content such as events, modes, and weapons.
- Developer is Ghost Ship Games (weight 0.16): The developer of Deep Rock Galactic is consistently identified as Ghost Ship Games. Reviewers acknowledge their work and dedication to the game.
- Positive monetization compared to other studios (weight 0.14): Reviewers contrast Deep Rock Galactic's fair monetization with other companies like Blizzard, EA, and Ubisoft, which are criticized for microtransactions and incomplete games.
- All DLC is cosmetic only (weight 0.14): All downloadable content for Deep Rock Galactic is strictly cosmetic, ensuring no pay-to-win elements. This includes weapon skins, armor skins, and other appearance items.
- Supporter pack includes badge and name highlight (weight 0.13): The Supporter Upgrade adds a supporter badge next to the player's name and highlights their name in gold or yellow in chat and in-game.
- Free battle pass with no premium (weight 0.11): The game features a free battle pass that includes accessories and skins, with no premium options. All past season content remains available to avoid FOMO.
- Base game and DLC bundle on sale (weight 0.1): The base game and DLC are often sold together as a bundle, and reviewers mention purchasing them on sale.
- No microtransactions in game (weight 0.09): The game has no microtransactions, no premium currency, and all content is obtainable through gameplay. This is frequently praised.
- Comparison to Left 4 Dead (weight 0.08): The game is compared to Left 4 Dead for its cooperative gameplay and pacing, often described as having more content.
- DRG DLC includes Supporter and OST (weight 0.06): The game offers DLC such as the Supporter Pack, skin packs, and a soundtrack, which are also available in a large bundle.
- Cosmetic DLC tied to seasons (weight 0.06): Each season, a non-mandatory cosmetic DLC themed after the new season content is released. This provides additional cosmetic options.
- Good community and Easter eggs (weight 0.06): The game features a fantastic community and a myriad of Easter eggs, adding to the overall experience.
- First Supporter Pack in cosmetic line (weight 0.03): The Supporter Upgrade is noted as the first Supporter Pack in the game's line of cosmetic DLCs.
- Cosmetics allow players to stand out (weight 0.03): The DLC provides perks that allow players to stand out among others, such as unique skins and badges.
- Procedural map generation compared to No Man's Sky (weight 0.03): The procedural map generation is compared to No Man's Sky, though the context is not specified.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied when the cosmetic rewards from the supporter pack, such as elegant armor and weapon skins, gold paintjobs, and badges, meet or exceed their expectations. The purchase also feels worthwhile because it supports dedicated indie developers who continue to improve the game.
- Appreciation (weight 0.13): Players appreciate the developers for avoiding microtransactions and paid battle passes while consistently delivering free content. They value the unique classes, charming characters, and the overall quality of the co-op experience, which makes supporting the game feel rewarding.
- Admiration (weight 0.13): Players admire the developers' consumer-friendly practices, such as free season passes, expansion-sized updates, and a non-greedy monetization model. They are impressed by the team's passion, hard work, and consistent monthly updates that add content for free.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Disappointment arises from unmet expectations regarding the supporter pack's value and cosmetic accuracy. Players are let down by the lack of mechanical updates, in-game items not matching store images, and the developers shifting focus to spin-off games.
- Gratitude (weight 0.07): Players feel grateful for the friendly community, the complete game offered at a fair price without abusive monetization, and the developers' active engagement and honest communication. The heartfelt thanks from the developers and the many hours of fun from a single purchase also contribute to this feeling.
- Hope (weight 0.04): Players hope the developers will continue supporting the game with new content and fixes for many years, and that the game will keep moving in a positive direction. They also hope for resolution of cosmetic bugs.
- Frustration (weight 0.03): Frustration stems from technical issues where purchased golden armor skins do not appear in-game, and support has not resolved the problem. Additionally, skins that once matched promotional images now look worse, leading to further annoyance.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Players are enthusiastic about the DLC's contents, including the awesome helmet, gold items, special drink, and chat badge. The co-op horde gameplay, offline mode with retained rewards, and unique cosmetics like the skeleton head also generate excitement.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy the cooperative challenge with friends, the randomly generated caves that stay fresh, and the fun of showing off golden guns. The game offers twice the fun through its engaging mechanics and social aspects.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players express love for the game itself, its great community, and everything about it. This deep affection is often tied to positive experiences and the overall quality of the game.
- Pride (weight 0.02): Pride comes from owning the Supporter Upgrade, which serves as a badge of honor and demonstrates appreciation for the game. It also reflects pride in the game's quality and the developer's integrity.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is experienced when playing the game with a childhood best friend and sharing laughs, as well as the game consistently making the player's day after work. These social and relaxing moments create lasting happiness.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is driven by the gameplay in every cave and the sparkling visual effects of the supporter beer, especially when shared with teammates. These elements add thrill and anticipation to the experience.
- Support (weight 0.02): Players choose to buy the product primarily to support the developers, driven by a desire to see the game and team thrive. This supportive intent often outweighs other considerations.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret occurs when players feel they made a mistake by purchasing cosmetic packs, often due to unmet expectations or perceived lack of value. This emotion is tied to post-purchase disappointment.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at the developers for creating another game with the same assets and concept, which players perceive as greed. This sense of exploitation fuels strong negative feelings.
- Pleased (weight 0.01): Players feel pleased because the developers avoid paid content and battle passes, making the cosmetic Supporter pack feel like a genuine way to support them. This aligns with their preference for fair monetization.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Approval is given because Ghost Ship prioritizes making a good game over monetization through microtransactions. This consumer-friendly approach earns玩家's respect and endorsement.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises when players are unsure about the issue with missing DLC content, such as not knowing why items are not appearing. This lack of clarity leads to uncertainty and questions.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is expressed toward the addon's paints, which are considered too bright and gaudy. This aesthetic mismatch leads to negative reactions.}