It seems that Hcv appeals do a certain boomer audience. Those who used to play Sc/AoE/C&C – NOT the ones who still play. But somehow these people are TOO DAMNED STUPID to understand the game. Meaning the strategy.
One makes a strategy game and it turns out some players don’t fathom what strategy actually means. This’ the very reason they removed the Toolmaking "challenge" from Anno 1800. The boomer audience no longer understands the need to sequence and flow their decisions correctly. They don’t understand timing.
My game is not for them. But it’s the only guys that look at it and manage to say "wow, looks kinda cool. reminds me of StarCraft in the old days!"