The writer of Manor Lords has come to the defense of technique sports, rejecting a publication’s critique that they perpetuate an “infinite progression” philosophy that creates problems in the gaming industry.
In the early stages of this year, Manor Lords made a successful transition to early access, achieving impressive results by selling out two million copies within just three weeks of its launch. Despite its initial popularity, interest in the game has waned somewhat due to the lack of frequent and significant updates since its release. A post from The Lengthy Darkish developer Hinterland’s CEO Raphael van Lierop appeared on LinkedIn, seeming to criticize this exact point. He stated he “actually love[s] what’s here” yet there’s “little or no substance” and it’s a “rather fascinating case-study in the pitfalls of Early Access growth.”
The game originally debuted with a solid foundation in its basic sport mode, but was somewhat lacking in terms of overall content. A system-focused game requires a diverse array of maps, game modes, and procedural generation elements to ensure its longevity and freshness.
Early Entry is a marathon that requires careful planning, so it’s crucial to have your subsequent main content material growth queued up in advance. After two and a half months, the sport has received merely three minor patches, each failing to introduce any fresh options or substantial content additions. Since I’ve set the sport aside, I don’t plan to revisit it for another six months, allowing myself to focus on something new instead. Regaining people’s attention once it’s been lost can be a daunting task.
Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse, countered this viewpoint on LinkedIn, calling it “precisely the type of distorted perspective that causes hassle” in the gaming industry. He recalled speaking with Manor Lords’ developers beforehand, noting they were bombarded with complaints about “missed opportunities,” but urged them to “ignore all that” and focus on their core vision for the game, acknowledging the Early Access journey is long and not driven by external expectations.
To forge a more enduring future, Bender observed that it’s crucial to shift our focus away from short-term gains similar to those in the past. It’s crucial to recognize that success shouldn’t perpetuate an unrelenting upward trajectory of recent achievements, fostering unrealistic and unsustainable expectations. Sports shouldn’t all be forced to prioritize becoming a live-service phenomenon or face extinction. No developer should be forced into an endless cycle of acceleration, with no respite from the relentless pressure to push themselves until they risk physical and mental exhaustion.
The game’s focus on stress levels during early entry stages is truly remarkable, given the emphasis placed on developing sustainable developer practices by Manor Lords’ creator, a testament to their commitment to responsible game production. Let’s hope Manor Lords takes its sweet time to flourish!
