In a recent statement on Twitter, Thomas Mahler, a developer of the game “No Rest for the Wicked,” expressed his belief that launching the game in early access would have been beneficial. He defended the decision to launch in early access, stating that it allows developers to refine a product over time. Mahler proposed that historically, some games might have benefited from early access even before it became a trend. He addressed the criticism surrounding games like Wicked, Hades 2, and Larian’s new game launching into early access, noting that the issue is more complex than it appears.
Mahler suggested that as games become more complex and sophisticated, early access may become a more common practice. Drawing from personal experience, he emphasized the value of receiving feedback from actual users during the development process. Mahler also argued that updates and downloadable content (DLC) cannot replicate the opportunities early access offers to developers. He highlighted the challenges of shipping games, particularly when striving to introduce new features, and stressed the importance of being able to incorporate feedback and make adjustments after the initial release.
Currently, early access is only supported on PC and Xbox. Mahler expressed hope that this model will be embraced by PlayStation and Nintendo in the future, making their storefronts available to games launching under early access.
