The Fateless Podcast is back with another exciting episode, hosted by Brad, and this time, he’s joined by Sham, Simon, and a special guest, Cold Brew a well-known content creator in the RPG and gacha gaming space. The discussion dives deep into game mechanics, player engagement, auto vs. manual gameplay, and the evolving landscape of RPGs, with plenty of insights from Cold Brew’s experience covering Raid: Shadow Legends and other games in the genre.

Cold Brew has been a major voice in the RPG and gacha community for over four years, primarily covering Raid: Shadow Legends, though he’s also played and reviewed a variety of other games. He highlights that he’s most drawn to RPGs, particularly those that incorporate team-building, strategy, and summoning mechanics, where players collect powerful champions to tackle both PvE and PvP challenges.

Simon kicks off a conversation about key features that make RPGs engaging for long-term players. Cold Brew shares that he enjoys games that introduce consistent content updates, meaningful challenges, and varied strategies to complete encounters. He brings up Watcher of Realms as an example of a game that encourages different playstyles, allowing players to experiment with manual control to optimize strategies.

One of the biggest design philosophies Fateless Studios is embracing is making sure that bosses and encounters feel like puzzles—where players use their characters as the “pieces” to solve them. Cold Brew strongly resonates with this idea, explaining how figuring out different team compositions and tactics keeps players invested in a game for the long run.

One of the most heated discussions in the podcast is about the role of auto-play in RPGs. Cold Brew acknowledges that auto-play is a necessary feature, especially in mobile games, because it allows players to grind resources efficiently. However, he emphasizes that there should be moments where manual play is required, particularly in new content or advanced challenges.

The Fateless team discusses a potential solution, introducing tutorial-style challenges that force manual play in a fun and rewarding way. These challenges could teach players advanced mechanics without making the early game feel like a chore. They also discuss the importance of onboarding, suggesting a simple prompt asking players if they are new or veteran players to determine how much guidance they need.

Another major topic is how to incorporate social and multiplayer aspects into the genre without straying too far from its core identity. The team explores ideas like:

• Co-op boss fights that require multiple players to collaborate in real-time.
• Borrowing champions from friends to help clear difficult content.
• PvP modes with special restrictions—such as leagues where only Epic champions are allowed or a “no gear” PvP mode.

Cold Brew appreciates these ideas, referencing games like AFK Journey and Dragonheir, which implemented similar features. He highlights how social engagement can extend a game’s longevity, provided that it remains balanced and accessible to both casual and competitive players.

One of the biggest issues in long-term RPGs is meta stagnation in PvP. Cold Brew points out that in games like Raid, certain champions dominate the meta for years, making the experience repetitive and frustrating for players who don’t have access to those top-tier characters.

Simon suggests solutions to keep PvP fresh, such as:

• Seasonal balance changes that shake up the meta.
• Mode-specific buffs and nerfs (similar to AFK Journey’s Honor Duels).
• Limited-time leagues with unique rules, like a “no gear” mode or a draft system where players pick champions from a shared pool.

Cold Brew supports the idea of alternative PvP formats, recalling Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, which offered separate PvP modes with and without gear. He believes that introducing different ways to compete could make PvP more enjoyable for a wider range of players.

One of the most insightful parts of the discussion is about the economy and long-term engagement in RPGs. Cold Brew mentions that one of the biggest pitfalls in many games is giving players too much, too fast. He references *Watcher of Realms*, where players quickly maxed out their resources, leading to a drop in engagement.

Brad and the team agree that a well-paced economy is critical. Players need a sense of progress, but earning powerful rewards should feel meaningful. The team also discusses how well-designed challenge modes could encourage players to engage with content manually while also serving as a natural tutorial for advanced mechanics.

To wrap things up, Brad asks Cold Brew what’s next for him as a content creator. He shares that while he still enjoys playing Raid, he’s eager to see new games that innovate instead of just copying existing formulas. He’s looking for a game that can truly challenge Raid’s dominance and push the genre forward.

In a fun closing moment, Cold Brew is asked about his favorite mythological character, and he immediately picks Leonidas—who is already confirmed as a playable hero in Fateless! He recalls his love for Pantheon in League of Legends and how he’s excited to see the Spartan king make an impact in the game.

This episode of the Fateless Podcast was packed with insightful discussions on game design, RPG mechanics, and the future of the genre. With Cold Brew’s extensive experience in the space, his thoughts on auto-play vs. manual play, community-driven features, and PvP balance provide valuable insight into what players truly want.