Gaming should be fun. That’s the golden rule. It’s why we log in day after day, grind out loot, team up with friends, and immerse ourselves in new worlds. It’s also why I choose my games carefully. I don’t make content for just any title that comes along. I choose games that I genuinely believe have the potential to become something I care about long-term. That belief led me to Odin: Valhalla Rising. But after the rocky launch and the barrage of issues that followed, I can’t stay silent anymore. It’s time to get honest.

The Honeymoon Phase Is Over

Like many others, I was excited when Odin Diamonds finally launched. The trailers were promising, the Norse mythology theme had potential, and the graphics looked stunning. And for a brief moment, it seemed like the game might live up to the hype. Thousands of players joined in, eager to explore Midgard and take part in the game's MMO offerings.

But within just a week of launch, that excitement began to sour. Players started quitting en masse. Entire servers started to feel empty. And we’re not talking about a slow decline over months—this was a sharp, immediate drop-off. So the question must be asked: why?

Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room – Bots and Account Abuse

One of the most obvious problems plaguing the game is the overwhelming presence of bots and multi-account farming. In fact, it's estimated that over 50% of the active player base isn’t even real players—it’s bots farming diamonds to sell on third-party sites, or users abusing the system with multiple accounts. As a result, server creation was locked. You can’t even make a new character right now.

Think about how damaging that is. New players who might be interested in joining the game are locked out. They can’t experience the world, the story, the mechanics—not because of technical limitations, but because the economy and server infrastructure have been compromised by abuse.

Even more concerning is the normalization of this abuse. Content creators—yes, those with platforms and followers—are openly using third-party gem sites. Some even admit it during their streams and videos. And why? Because they already think the game has no future. That’s the level of pessimism we’re dealing with. And if even the people who are supposed to be passionate advocates for the game are jumping ship, what does that say about the overall health of the community?

Where Is the Leadership?

For a game trying to establish itself in a highly competitive MMO space, community support and active moderation are critical. And yet, Odin: Valhalla Rising seems to be running on autopilot.

There are over 20,000 people in the game’s Discord server, and yet there isn’t a single visible community manager. No one to respond to feedback, no one to provide updates, no one to even acknowledge that issues are being tracked or worked on. Instead, we get a generic ticket system that feels like shouting into the void. Maybe someone’s listening, but if they are, we wouldn’t know.

As someone who's been under review for nearly 20 days for the game's content creator program, I can say the lack of communication is maddening. There was supposed to be an announcement by May 2nd. That date came and went with nothing. Even creators who were accepted into the program haven’t received any follow-up information. No roles, no special chat channels, no coordination—nothing.

And this matters. Creators are the ones who generate buzz, make guides, produce highlights, and bring people in. Ignoring them—or worse, taking them for granted—is a huge misstep. It’s hard to feel like you're part of something when you’re being treated like an afterthought.

The Gacha Trap – Gambling Masquerading as Gameplay

Let’s get into the real gameplay experience, and here’s where it goes from bad to worse. Odin: Valhalla Rising is a gacha-heavy game. And not just in the way you expect. The gacha system permeates everything. From equipment crafting to item upgrades, it’s all governed by chance. And not the fun kind of chance—this is the soul-crushing kind.

There's no real pity system in place. The only thing close is some convoluted combination mechanic that barely helps mitigate bad luck. Crafting from purple rarity and above isn’t guaranteed either. So you’re pumping resources, time, and possibly money into a system that often gives you nothing in return.

What makes it even worse is that the game is largely auto-grind. You’re more of a manager than a player. So if you're going to be spending hours just watching your character grind mobs, at least make the game systems rewarding. Instead, the end result often feels like gambling addiction masked behind flashy visuals and Norse mythology.

The MMO Shell Without the Heart

Many MMOs struggle at launch, but Odin: Valhalla Rising is faltering in areas that shouldn’t be overlooked. Server instability, frequent daily maintenance, broken monetization mechanics, and lack of engaging content loops are all symptoms of a game that feels unready for primetime.

But the biggest sin? There’s no soul to the game right now. It doesn’t feel like there’s a guiding hand shaping the experience, adjusting based on feedback, or even acknowledging that issues exist. And that disconnect between players and developers is perhaps the biggest red flag of them all.

So What Now?

I’m still playing Odin: Valhalla Rising, for now. But my patience is running thin. I got into this game because I saw potential. I believed it could be my main title—the one I would pour my time and content into. But that belief is being tested daily.

This isn't about subscriber counts or growth metrics. I could easily switch to covering every MMO out there and probably grow faster. But I’ve never done that, and I won’t start now. I don’t make content just to ride trends. I make content for games that I enjoy and believe in.

And right now, Odin is teetering on the edge. It could be great. It really could. The visuals, the lore, the setting—all the right pieces are there. But none of that matters if the game fails to respect its players, if it’s overrun with bots, and if the developers continue to ignore the very community that’s trying to support it.

Final Thoughts: Hope Requires Action

I’m not making this video or writing this article to complain for the sake of it. I’m doing it because I care. Because Odin: Valhalla Rising still has a chance—however slim—to turn things around. But that won’t happen without transparency, accountability, and effort.

We need real community management. We need fairer gacha systems. We need server access for new players. We need action against botters and cheaters or buy Odin Valhalla Rising Diamonds. And most of all, we need developers who are willing to engage with their players and content creators alike.

To everyone out there feeling frustrated, disillusioned, or burned out—you’re not alone. Share your experiences. Speak your truth. And if this isn’t the game that values you as a player, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere. Because at the end of the day, gaming should be fun. And no game, no matter how pretty, is worth your time if it forgets that.

Until next time—thanks for reading. Keep your passion strong, and always remember: fun first.