I looked at the countdown I created more then a year ago. It is still running to my own suprise 
. I remember it was some time after the countdown ended that the alpha 1 was up.
You remember the excitement we had in the countdown thread. Like 10 posts/second. 
[quote=“Silas, post:20, topic:9032”]
I’m a little confused… isn’t adding building improvements, tech trees, mining, new crafting items, roads, and new classes adding to the gameplay? This is a city building game and it’s core…[/quote]
Is it? I would not say so. It was billed as “A sandbox strategy game with town building, crafting, and epic battles!” (first line of the Kickstarter). I believe “Peaceful Mode” was added right from the beginning to satisfy that need that many people have (city building game with no way to lose), but the core game was always a strategy game with meaningful choices @Tom wanted you to have angst over.
See the first Kickstarter paragraph: “Stonehearth is a game about exploration and survival in an epic fantasy setting. Your job is to help a small group of settlers survive and carve out a place for themselves in a hostile land. You’ll need to establish a food supply, build shelter, defend your people, and find a way to grow and expand, facing challenges at every step.”
We have very little challenge and very few (if any) meaningful choices. So in short
[quote=“Silas, post:20, topic:9032”]
isn’t adding building improvements, tech trees, mining, new crafting items, roads, and new classes adding to the gameplay?[/quote]
, no my good sir, it is not (adding gameplay). Game play in a survival strategy game needs to have the ability to lose. There is none such of a serious nature in the game today.
I’m not disagreeing that the things you mentioned aren’t in the game or aren’t needed before long to keep things interesting. I’m as excited as you to have them! I’m just saying anything that adds to the gametime of playing a game that is focused on building a city to survive with, is adding to the gameplay.
I have little doubt we’ll see some serious additions to scenarios and survival before long.
First looks to be combat. A bigger focus on combat probably means that there will be a larger chance for you to be attacked in a meaningful way and hopefully more dangerous way (instead of the only needing the rally flag to survive a million goblins ). I sense more devious enemies in the near future.
Here’s hoping!
“A herd of sheep are coming to free their friends” “Call the shepherds”