Fatshark’s Design Director on Fixing Warhammer 40K: Darktide’s Long Road to Success
▼ Summary
– Warhammer 40k: Darktide had a rocky launch due to issues like clunky crafting and performance but retained players through major updates and core gameplay.
– Fatshark improved the game post-launch with free updates, including a class overhaul, and now introduces paid DLC for a new class.
– The studio’s philosophy is to charge only for content that doesn’t split the playerbase, like new classes, while giving away missions and weapons for free.
– Some players criticize the slow updates and pricing of the new Arbites class ($12), comparing it unfavorably to cheaper Vermintide 2 DLC.
– Design director Victor Magnuson believes the game is now in a good state, with players returning for updates, and views the journey as rewarding long-term fans.
Warhammer 40K: Darktide’s journey from a rocky launch to its current state has been a testament to Fatshark’s commitment to improvement. The game initially struggled with performance issues, unclear progression systems, and limited build variety, but the studio has steadily addressed these concerns through major updates and free content drops. Now, with player numbers holding steady and confidence restored, Fatshark is introducing its first paid DLC, a new class called the Arbites.
Victor Magnuson, the game’s design director, explains the reasoning behind the pricing strategy. “Our philosophy is simple: anything that could divide the playerbase, like missions or weapons, we give away for free,” he says. “But a new class? That’s optional. You don’t need it to play with friends, so we feel comfortable charging for it.”
This approach hasn’t been without controversy. Some players argue the $12 price tag is steep, especially compared to Vermintide 2’s cheaper class expansions. Others point to Fatshark’s initial promise of quarterly class releases, a target the studio missed by a wide margin. Still, recent reviews on Steam have stabilized, and Magnuson believes the core systems are finally in a good place.
“Our veterans knew we’d improve Darktide over time,” he says, referencing the faith long-time fans placed in Fatshark’s ability to refine the experience. “Now, with deeper class customization and regular updates, we’re confident asking for a little extra.”
The studio maintains a steady update cadence, major expansions yearly, smaller events in between, to keep players engaged without overwhelming them. Magnuson acknowledges that not everyone will stick around permanently, but he’s content as long as the community returns for new content.
While Darktide’s recovery is commendable, some players still wish the game had launched in better shape. Yet, with ongoing support and a clear vision for monetization, Fatshark seems poised to keep its grimdark co-op shooter alive for the long haul.
(Source: PC Gamer)
