Them’s Fightin’ Herds, originally an unofficial My Little Pony fangame, embarked on a tumultuous journey to become a legally distinct and well-received fighter through crowdfunding and Early Access. However, it seems that this journey has reached a bitter end.
Sadness looms as it was revealed earlier this week that the latest patch and DLC characters would mark the end of active development for Them’s Fightin’ Herds. The promising story mode will never see completion, and some crowdfunded rewards will go undelivered.
The announcement states that after the Season 1 Pass is complete, no new content will be produced, including the highly anticipated Story Mode. This cancellation is disheartening for both the developers and fans, as they were eager for the implementation and release of Story Mode chapters.
Despite the disappointments, there is a glimmer of hope for fans. The developers plan to release content already produced for Chapter 2, starting with a new stage called ‘Restricted Section’ in the version 6.0 update. This offers a small consolation, but it cannot compensate for the loss of the full Story Mode experience.
Furthermore, the adjustment of originally planned perks related to the Indiegogo crowdfund is an additional blow to supporters. The developers promise to provide more information regarding these changes in the upcoming weeks via email and through Indiegogo communication channels.
Currently, only the first chapter of Them’s Fightin’ Herds story mode is available in the game. However, the game’s Steam store page still falsely promises the release of additional chapters as free updates. This misinformation will undoubtedly disappoint players who were eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story.
Unsurprisingly, negative Steam reviews have surged in the past 30 days, with a “Mostly Negative” rating overshadowing its previous “Very Positive” overall rating. Many reviewers express their dissatisfaction with the way the developers announced the end of development in a short section at the bottom of a post primarily focused on DLC characters.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds entered the gaming scene through its Indiegogo campaign in 2015. The game gained traction and success thanks to Lauren Faust, the creator of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, who contributed as the character designer. After its launch on Steam Early Access in 2018, the full release finally arrived in 2020.
While sympathy may arise for developers who face overwhelming challenges and struggle to meet the expectations of a dwindling playerbase, it is vital to acknowledge that this was not the appropriate way to relay the news to loyal paying players who have stuck around.
Farewell, Them’s Fightin’ Herds
The conclusion of Them’s Fightin’ Herds’ development journey is bittersweet. It shines a light on the difficulties faced by indie developers and the uncertainty of success. Unfortunately, this particular journey ends with unfinished promises and a sense of disillusionment for those who believed in the game’s potential.
Ultimately, Them’s Fightin’ Herds will forever stand as a reminder of the challenges faced by developers when ambitions exceed resources. It serves as a cautionary tale for future projects, urging developers to balance their aspirations with the realities of their circumstances.
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