Suggestion for SE2 focus

I'm very concerned about what I see so far for SE2.

It does not appear to be a sequel to SE1.

In a variety of ways that make it gamey, non-immersive, and uninteresting.

This perception I have comes from some specific things, but also what I see as the overall direction the game development seems to be moving in.

SE's strengths are as an "unfettered" sandbox game. What makes it hard is some aspects of the building, the interface, the lack of tutorials... and that to build something interesting... you have to engineer it. Granted half of that engineering is getting around weird issues in the game... but still, you can engineer around it. The ability to engineering you way around problems even with the game itself. That flexibility is what makes SE1 so great.

Saying that.

I think SE1 could benefit greatly from a variety of improvements.

Unified Grid.

Actual in-game NPCs.

Better graphics.

Better block placement tools.

Better modding tools

Better tools for building scenarios.

Better integration of economy into gameplay.

More PCU in-game.

Better utilization of multiprocessor systems.

Better tutorials for how to play, and how to mod.

Water.

I think you guys should stick to this, and not make the dramatic gameplay changes you are currently moving forward with. What I have seen in SE2 so far is not a 10x improvement of anything in SE1... except the noises for the hand drill and grinder.

It's nice to have better graphics, and planets with caves and all that, but you're not building this for your current user base. You're building this for the market you hope to capture. IMO those decisions to try and capture a bigger audience are the problem. You are going to lose existing players... and the players you are going to pick up won't put in nearly as much game time.

I hope you'll take these comments to heart, and I wish Keen success.