i mentioned this on the discord but i think a way that the referral problem could be fixed is if there was a potential COMBINED achievement point and referral point market to purchase the exclusive companions, the good food items, crafting recipes etc. The market would be combined, meaning that referrals and achievements gain the same currency to spend as separating them would cause the same problem every player already has (the slap in the face of no retroactive referral).

Support

Jumping in to support this! It would give an alternate means of obtaining the new familiars that isn't reliant on outside-site interactions in a nice compromise.

Referrals could still be incredibly valuable, and with some tweaks you could easily factor in the companion level to keep the same "value" of the companion reward. For example, gaining currency based on the companion level and cap it out at 50, with the prize costing 50.

I 100% support this idea. <3

Coming from someone who was actually referred to this site by a friend, having a combined shop for both achievements and referrals seems like a great alternative option. I also don't have many friends that are into this type of game, and the ones who are, well, they are already here. I really hope that something like this is considered, seeing as those new companions are so stinking cute! Plus, wouldn't seem like such a slap in the face to all those alpha/KS folks who have been supporting, and most likely, getting the word out there from the beginning.

That is definitely one possible solution! I would be happy with that. As long as there is some way to get them besides managing to refer enough people who stay long enough.

This seems like a good way to grow the player base and support the continuation of the community atmosphere.

Support.