In a surprising move, the development team behind Infinity Nikki has openly admitted to their errors following overwhelming backlash from players after a contentious game update led to a flurry of poor reviews on Steam.
Since its launch late last year, Infinity Nikki has captivated audiences with its vibrant world and engaging dress-up RPG mechanics, bolstered by gacha elements. However, the enthusiasm surrounding its free-to-play model took a significant downturn with the latest update.
On April 28, the developers launched Version 1.5, titled “Bubble Season,” aimed at introducing fresh challenges and features. Unfortunately, the update brought with it a host of technical glitches, particularly impacting PS5 users who found the game unplayable without complete reinstallation. Reports surfaced of frequent crashes and non-responsive NPCs, while some players lamented alterations to the storyline that they claimed veered into troubling monetization territory. You can catch a player’s reaction here.
Following the outcry, negative reviews flooded in on Steam, prompting the developers to issue a public apology and announce plans to extend Version 1.5 to rectify these unexpected issues and rebuild player confidence.
“We understand that these problems have compromised your gaming experience and shaken your trust in us. To all stylists out there, we sincerely apologize,” the team stated on social media.
In their announcement, the developers discussed the myriad challenges encountered while optimizing the game for diverse platforms and addressing unforeseen technical hurdles. “To ensure we communicate effectively, we chose a thoughtful approach, engaging with your concerns only once we had solid solutions in place,” they explained.
The omission of the “Threads of Reunion” storyline in the recent update was clarified as unintended. The team reassured players that the corresponding outfit remains on the development agenda. “Technical hurdles in Version 1.5 prevented us from fully integrating the Sea of Stars chapter, which led to confusion,” they elaborated. “These features are in line for future updates, including enhancements to tiered cumulative top-up rewards and a commitment to smooth gameplay across all platforms,” they added.
The studio laid out plans for further “adjustments,” acknowledging that some changes may take time. They committed to implementing these adjustments through phased updates, assuring players that they would be kept in the loop as details emerge. “Please bear with us as we navigate this transition,” they urged.
The developers also outlined a new framework for “delay arrangements, compensation approaches, and key optimization commitments,” kicking off with the extension of Version 1.5, which will now conclude on June 12, 2025.
Important Dates:
- Version 1.5 End Date: June 12, 2025, 12:49:59 (UTC-7)
- Version 1.6 Launch Date: June 12, 2025, 20:00:00 (UTC-7)
Updated Event Timelines:
- The conclusion of Bubble Season events, including [Chase the Bubbles!], [Rainbow Album], and [Adventure Together], has been extended to June 12, 2025, 12:49:59 (UTC-7).
Store Changes:
- End dates for various store items have also been adjusted to June 12, 2025, 12:49:59 (UTC-7).
- Items in [Bubble Market] will be removed on June 12, 2025.
Weekly Tasks Update:
The launch of the new weekly task [Starlit Pursuit], originally set for May 20 (UTC-7), has been postponed to Version 1.6 to allow for a more integrated gameplay experience. Players will receive 360 [Starlit Crystals] as compensation for this delay.
Recognizing their communication shortcomings, the team is launching the “Miraland Round Table” initiative. This program will allow players to directly share feedback with the developers via email or the in-game Customer Service tab.
“We are committed to taking all feedback seriously and using it to refine our game,” they concluded, also offering in-game Diamonds and Energy Crystals as a token of appreciation for players’ patience and support.
“Thank you for standing by us. Together, we will work to make Infinity Nikki an unforgettable experience for all!”
Despite the turbulence, noted game critic Jessica Orr hailed the initial release of Infinity Nikki as a “major leap for open-world gacha games,” positioning it as a formidable challenger to established names in the industry like miHoYo, according to a review from Nova Play.
