"I checked the VD store page again and see that the images were replaced with real in game screen shots" -
There were never any "non-real" and "non-ingame screen shots" on the Steam store page, I never posted any concept art or any doctored screen shots. "you gave them specific strategies to defeat difficult bosses. Right down to which ships to attack and how."
Should I have gave struggling players non specific strategies? I gave the strat I thought was best, but its certainly not the only strat. Should I have given not the best strat to a struggling player?"You told people to read the tutorial. We all did the tutorial."
In the main game's menu there are tutorials, these are pretty extensive. There's also "keys guide" type tutorial when you start the mission/main game. So when I say play the tutorial - I mean click the button that says Tutorial when you first boot up the game.
To me, there is zero wrong with asking players to check out the tutorials. Why else have them?
"I understand there is now an auto aim. Now THAT is arcady"
The first ship you start in has turrets, these auto track a target (if the ship has a target). That isn't arcade - that's how I imagine some space fighters would work (like an cobra hellicopter with a swivel mounted gun) - eg:
http://cdn.paper4pc.com/images/ah1w-super-cobra-attack-helicopter-military-weapon-aircraft-6-wallpaper-1.jpg
Either way - when locked on to a target, there is aim assist if the target is close enough to the cross hairs (again how I imagine space ships would function - except for giant spinal mounts).
This was always the case - not a "now" situation.
"When you start playing a new game and nothing is marked then how would we know to go looking in other screens to find stuff?"
There's big arrows pointing where to go, and text on the right hand side. Can it be missed? Sure, but its not hidden or in any other screen."Even the positive reviewers don't average more than 3 hours play times. (exlcuding that one guy who probably beta tested for you)."
None of the reviews are from Beta testers because there were no Beta testers.
There's two reviews from "Key Activations" (now Steam has an easy way to track this - showing you who activated via Steam key and who activated via purchase on Steam). 1 I know is a Kickstarter backer (Scotty) and the other I'm not sure about.
Are you telling me that you think I got "Beta" testers to not only buy the game but to give me a positive review? Damn I'm a horrible monster, but I sure get results.
Achievements showed up during Early Access, so 1/2 of total players never had them in their game. There's no first mission achievement, the first "mission" achievement relates to an optional killing of a ship (versus running away - either strategy works to keep the story going).
As a response to player's having issues with the difficulty I added options on reducing damage/etc.
"Getting burned is not fun, especially when the developer hides behind the indie excuse."
Could you show even a hint where I do this? I post/respond a ton on Steam forums so if its true than it shouldn't be hard.
Again it sounds like you are judging the game by what it isn't - why don't you play it for 2-3 hours and report back?