The story of Them’s Fightin’ Herds is one that holds its fair share of highs and lows. What began as an unofficial My Little Pony fangame evolved into a legally distinct and well-received fighter through the power of crowdfunding and Early Access. However, it seems that this journey has now come to an end. Recent news reveals that the game’s upcoming patch and DLC characters will mark its final updates, leaving behind an incomplete story mode and unfulfilled crowdfunded rewards.
In an announcement made by the developers, it was stated that once the Season 1 Pass is complete, active development on Them’s Fightin’ Herds will cease. While small patches to address game-breaking bugs will still be released, no new content will be produced. This unfortunate decision also means that the highly anticipated Story Mode will never see the light of day. Although it was an ambitious feature that the team wanted to implement, it seems that it will remain forever unfinished.
Despite the end of active development, there is a glimmer of hope for players. The developers are exploring opportunities to release content that has already been produced for Chapter 2 of the Story Mode. This includes the addition of a new stage called the “Restricted Section,” which will be introduced in the version 6.0 update. Alongside this update, players can also look forward to the arrival of DLC characters Nidra and Baihe. However, it’s important to note that this will be the last of the new content for the game.
The shift in development also means that adjustments will need to be made to the originally planned perks for those who supported the game’s Indiegogo crowdfund. The developers assure players that more information regarding these adjustments will be shared in the coming weeks through email and the Indiegogo channel. It’s undoubtedly a disappointing turn of events for those who eagerly anticipated the promised perks.
Presently, only the first chapter of the Story Mode is available in Them’s Fightin’ Herds. Prior to the recent news, the game’s Steam store page still stated that additional chapters were in development and would be released as free updates. However, it’s clear that this is no longer the case. Understandably, recent reviews on Steam have taken a hit, resulting in a shift from a “Very Positive” overall rating to a “Mostly Negative” rating for the past 30 days. Players have criticized the developers for announcing the end of development in a brief section at the bottom of a post primarily focused on DLC characters.
A Journey Filled with Potential and Challenges
Them’s Fightin’ Herds launched its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo back in 2015. With the involvement of Lauren Faust, the renowned creator of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, as the game’s character designer, it gained considerable traction. The game entered Steam Early Access in 2018 and finally received its full release in 2020. However, as the years went by and sales potentially slowed, the team faced the daunting task of delivering extra features for a gradually diminishing playerbase. It’s not an easy situation to navigate, and it’s understandable that the developers struggled to balance their ambitions with real-world constraints.
A Thoughtful Farewell
While the news of Them’s Fightin’ Herds’ end is a bitter pill to swallow, it’s important to approach it with understanding and empathy. The developers poured their hearts into creating a unique fighting game experience, and unforeseen circumstances led them to this conclusion. It is a reminder that game development is a complex and challenging journey, with no guarantees of success or longevity. As the loyal paying players who remain, we can appreciate the efforts that went into creating Them’s Fightin’ Herds and bid farewell to an unforgettable journey in the world of indie gaming.
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