Tomas Sala, the indie developer behind Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles, recently discussed the potential risks of releasing games in early access, particularly for smaller developers. Sala released a major update to his city-building game six months ahead of its full launch, a move that also involved changing the game’s name.
In an interview, Sala explained his reluctance to pursue early access, saying it would have been disastrous for his project. He believes that while early access has its benefits, it presents significant challenges, especially for developers with limited resources.
Sala elaborated on the pressures that early access places on developers. When a game enters early access, developers make promises to their players, and they are expected to deliver on those commitments. Sala notes that if those promises aren’t met, players can feel let down, as they have already invested money in the game.
This creates a rigid development process, where small studios may struggle to keep up with expectations and demands from their community, potentially leading to negative feedback.
Despite the advantages that early access offers, such as the ability to gather useful feedback from players, Sala remains cautious about its use.
He points out that some indie developers have been criticized for taking too long to deliver on their early access promises or for failing to meet the hype that builds around their game. For smaller studios, failing to meet these expectations can harm their reputation and create a “stranglehold” on their development process.
For his own work, Sala prefers a development style without the constraints of early access. This approach allows him more creative freedom to experiment and release updates on his own schedule. He describes how he enjoys taking time to “make cool things” without the pressure of strict deadlines.
This flexibility enables him to deliver updates that feel more authentic and spontaneous, which he believes ultimately benefits both the game and the community that supports it.
Sala places great value on his relationship with the community, viewing it as a key strength that indie developers have over larger companies. He believes that an authentic connection with players allows for more creative and flexible development, which is something that corporations cannot easily replicate.
This relationship, built on trust and support, is what makes his development process sustainable and enjoyable, free from the rigid structures that early access could impose.