CEO Tim Bender of Hooded Horse, who oversees publishing for strategy-focused games like Manor Lords, has spoken out against the notion that every game must constantly engage players with post-launch content like a live-service.
Responding to a LinkedIn post criticizing Manor Lords for declining player numbers during Early Access, Bender argues that this mindset of endless growth and unrealistic expectations is harmful to the industry. Despite the game’s success with 250,000 copies sold in the last month and a high review rating, Bender emphasizes the importance of players enjoying a premium single-player experience without the pressure for continuous updates.
Bender highlights the extensive patch notes for Manor Lords and defends the decision to focus on delivering a solid game experience rather than conforming to the live-service model. He stresses the need for a more sustainable approach in the industry, moving away from the constant pursuit of growth at any cost.
Instead of judging publishers solely on their biggest hits, Bender advocates for recognizing how they handle setbacks. In a time when many publishers prioritize profit over creative development, Bender’s perspective offers a refreshing alternative.
Manor Lords’ success as a bug-themed RTS and Soviet city-builder after years in early access serves as a testament to the benefits of allowing developers time to refine their work.