Moon Studios CEO Supports Early Access Model for Game Development

Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler has expressed his strong support for the early access model, suggesting that even iconic games like Dark Souls could have benefited from it. Mahler highlighted the success of using early access for Moon Studios' upcoming action title, No Rest for the Wicked, emphasizing that fan feedback has been crucial in shaping the game's development.

Mahler believes that as games become more complex, early access will become increasingly common. He pointed out that the detailed data and user feedback obtained through early access have been instrumental in refining No Rest for the Wicked, stating that the final 1.0 build would not have been possible without this iterative process.

Furthermore, Mahler speculated that games like Dark Souls could have improved through early access, citing areas like Lost Izalith as examples of content that could have been further polished with community input. He emphasized that post-launch updates and DLC may not always address fundamental issues present at release.

While early access is currently more prevalent on Xbox and PC platforms, Mahler expressed hope for its expansion to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. He underscored the value of early access in allowing developers to continually refine their products over time.

No Rest for the Wicked entered early access on April 18, 2024, receiving positive feedback for its compelling gameplay despite some areas needing improvement. Moon Studios promptly addressed issues with a recent hotfix, demonstrating their commitment to delivering a polished final product.