Apocalypse Studios
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"AAA publishers are abusing Early Access," RPG dev says, and Steam games like Subnautica 2 and Path of Exile have warped "the landscape and players' expectations"
Denis Dyack, CEO of Apocalypse Studios, argues that AAA publishers are abusing the Early Access model, leading to skewed player expectations that disadvantage independent developers. He cites Subnautica 2 and Path of Exile as examples of games that have changed the landscape, making it harder for smaller teams like his own with Deadhaus Sonata to gain market impact. While acknowledging Early Access's potential for experimentation, Dyack believes its current use by large publishers undermines its collaborative purpose.
"Developers need to treat Early Access like a real launch, because players do" – Early Access games are on the rise, but so are player expectations
The article discusses the increasing trend of games launching in Early Access on Steam, noting a significant rise in titles and player expectations. Developers like those behind Valheim, Subnautica, and Hades have found success with the model, but others like Deadhaus Sonata have faced backlash due to unmet quality standards. The piece highlights the challenges smaller developers face against larger publishers and emphasizes the need for transparency and a clear vision when using Early Access.
Deadhaus Sonata is the spiritual Blood Omen sequel you may have wanted, but is it what you deserve?
Deadhaus Sonata, a spiritual successor to Blood Omen developed by Apocalypse Studios, has launched in Early Access with a controversial paid model for what will eventually be a free-to-play title. The game currently suffers from clunky combat, limited solo-focused gameplay, and a lack of polish, making it feel more like an Alpha build than a paid Early Access release. The developer plans for up to six-player co-op and multiple character options, but these features are not yet implemented.
