Doesn't SK have an official YT channel? Just post a 'We're so back' form of a video. It's ought to put a positive spark throughout the internet and potentially lead to a domino effect where we'll end with a chunk of new players.

You'd most likely run into the same issue trying to release old assets as new. It'd have to most likely be updated to function with modern SK. Keep in mind that a lot of canned content comes from around game's release. It could be as simple as tweaking just a few things, but it could also be something that'd take a lot of time.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see the cut content released, but I'd rather have the game functional. It tends to get into a state where it nigh bricks my pc under very specific circumstances (already reported that as an issue through the in-game bug report system).

It's too early.

I'm personally hopeful for the future of the game (it could also be nostalgia taking over), but at this point all we can do is wait. GH needs to pick up from where they left off and not lose the steam in those early rejuvenation days.

Once there's some kind of momentum, just do what you'd do - share the excitement around.

Long ago I had a relative pick up SK because he saw me play it a lot, and I had to urge him away from it because I didn't want to have to constantly keep making excuses for the game.

"Oh, sorry, I should've stopped you from upgrading to 5* and making your weapon weaker. You actually need to grind the final mission for 20-50 hours before you can upgrade."

"Oh your second sprite upgrade? Yeah that's a microtransaction."

"Dang, you picked Haunted Haze? That's been bugged since 2013. I hear development is picking back up again now though, so I bet we'll see it actually do damage in one or two years."

"No no no, don't pick that weapon or armor, see there's only, like, three viable options and your gear is a huge investment where you spend weeks on a singular piece of item."

"Where did I get this kat hat? That's uh... If you wait until mid-autumn this year you might have a sliver of a chance getting it if you no-life it."

I would love for Spiral Knights to be in a state where I could feel comfortable recommending it to people instead of warning them, and I wish Gray Havens the best of luck getting it there.

I've had similar experiences like Zeddy's perspective on recommending the game to others. It's too premature a time to market the game. We have seen improvement in terms of stability, but nothing has visibly changed since Turbillion and such were added like over half a decade ago. Backend updates aren't noticeable to those who haven't played in years. They'll come back and not even know it happened. I fear that trying to get people to play now will just be met with most returning players saying "What were you trying to show me? There's nothing new here." before promptly quitting and being even less interested than before. As for new players, they'll run into that mountain of issues Zeddy mentioned and then some like the frustrating process of getting through 4* and 5* hall of heroes.

Before we can even consider marketing the comeback, a comeback has to actually happen. I'd love nothing more than to see this game succeed, but I don't want to harm its reputation further by having everyone blow their load too soon. Hopes and dreams don't sell a game.

To be clear I'm not trying to say what they've been doing is bad. Starting out with stability and backend was absolutely the best decision to make here. My post is moreso directed at the playerbase rather than the devs. I know we all want the best for the game but caution is necessary.

Word of mouth can only go so far and that time to shake people up that "Spiral Knights is so baaack!" is not here yet but on we're certainly closing in. Unless we have some influencers with massive followings in our midst then that doesn't go far. If the money is good then some should go toward advertising and waking up the old players should be done when something truly tangible is added to the game like new missions, levels, or bosses otherwise they'll be disappointed and leave again. Spiral Knights is a master at recycling content, it shouldn't be out of the question to arrange some new levels using existing content and that could pass in the immediate future.

I always found it weird that none of the IPs of GH advertised each other which would have been free advertising more or less but those days have passed, at least with whirled but I think the player differences between Spiral Knights and Puzzle Pirates aren't compatible. I've never known someone who played both.

Balance isn't super important with most things on Spiral Knights, not as much as people make them out to be at least especially weapons and armor. Balancing gear is not going to bring back players which makes it mostly a nothing burger however balancing the things that make players leave could prove vital.

Ranking up:
The biggest hurdle for retaining players is somewhere in the 3 star and 4 star certification within the rank missions. Rank missions guide you through the game but around the time you need advanced and elite alchemy orbs the missions stop giving you everything you need and new players are left directionless with the conundrum where do I get more orbs? Making this more clear to players and potentially easier is key in retaining new players that Spiral Knights is seeking.

Hey dev, if you wanna make a video with a "we are back" kinda thing i think it would be better if there is real new content to back it up, otherwise people will see that not much changed over the years and go away