Tempo Storm’s auto battler game The Bazaar has caused a stir during its transition to open beta by introducing a monetization model that contradicts earlier promises. The game, developed by former Hearthstone streamer Reynad, initially attracted supporters with assurances of a player-friendly approach focusing solely on cosmetic purchases.
The new monetization plan includes a $10 battle pass that restricts access to new card expansions for the first month of release. Only after this period can players purchase these potentially game-changing content updates with in-game currency. Additionally, an optional $10 monthly subscription offers various perks including cosmetics, bonus XP, and increased rewards.
Early supporters quickly pointed out that these changes directly contradict Reynad’s previous statements. During the game’s development and fundraising phases, The Bazaar was repeatedly promoted as having monetization “purely through cosmetics” with no pay-to-win elements.
Friendly reminder that The Bazaar is f2p and has no cards you need to collect at all
— reynad (@TempoReynad) November 21, 2020
The situation worsened when Reynad responded to the criticism with apparent satisfaction rather than concern.
He publicly expressed relief at the uproar, interpreting the negative feedback as validation that his monetization strategy would be profitable. These dismissive comments, combined with his historically contentious relationship with gaming communities, only increased player frustration.
“The response to feedback is the biggest red flag here,” noted one early supporter. “A developer who antagonizes his pre-release fanbase is not one I would trust through an early access phase.”
The situation underlines the delicate balance between business needs and player expectations in modern game development. Similar auto battlers and card games like Marvel Snap have faced comparable challenges in monetization, though few developers have responded to criticism with such open dismissal.
The Bazaar itself offers unique gameplay where players draft cards to build strategies specific to each hero, but its business approach now threatens to overshadow its creative elements. Industry observers note that community trust is particularly crucial for new entries in competitive genres with established alternatives.
