The four-legged beat ’em up game, Them’s Fightin’ Herds, has encountered a rollercoaster of events. What initially began as an unofficial My Little Pony fangame has transformed into a legally distinct and well-regarded fighter through a successful crowdfunding campaign and Early Access period. However, it seems like this journey has reached its final destination. In recent announcements, the developers revealed that a patch and some DLC characters would be the game’s last updates. This unfortunate news means that the long-anticipated story mode will never be completed, and certain crowdfunded rewards will never see the light of day.
According to the announcement, the developers stated, “After the Season 1 Pass is complete, we will be ceasing active development on TFH. We will still be able to release small patches to address game-breaking bugs, but no new content will be produced. Unfortunately, that includes Story Mode.” It is disheartening to learn that Story Mode, an ambitious feature the developers genuinely desired to implement, will remain unfinished. It is evident that fans were eagerly anticipating the release of Story Mode chapters, and the developers express hope that fans understand their disappointment in not being able to deliver this content.
Despite the disappointing news, the developers are exploring options to release the content already produced for Chapter 2. One of these releases will include a new stage called the “Restricted Section,” which will be part of the version 6.0 update alongside the introduction of DLC characters Nidra and Baihe. While it may serve as a consolation for some players, it is essential to note that this will be the final content update for Them’s Fightin’ Herds.
Unfortunately, this shift in development has consequences for the originally planned crowdfunded perks. The developers acknowledge that adjustments are necessary, and they promise to provide more details about these changes through email and their Indiegogo channel in the upcoming weeks. It is undoubtedly disappointing for backers who are expecting certain rewards to not see those commitments fully met.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds currently offers the first chapter of the story mode within the game. However, it is important to note that the game’s Steam store page, at the time of writing this article, still mentions that “Additional chapters are in development and will be released as free updates.” Sadly, that statement is no longer accurate. As a result, the game’s recent reviews on Steam have taken a significant hit, showcasing a “Mostly Negative” rating in the past 30 days compared to its overall “Very Positive” reputation. Many of the recent negative reviews express frustration towards Mane6, the developers, for announcing the end of development in a short segment buried at the bottom of a post primarily focused on DLC characters. This lack of transparency and communication has aggravated devoted players who have remained loyal to the game.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds originated from an Indiegogo campaign back in 2015. The game gained traction due to the involvement of Lauren Faust, the creator of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, as the character designer. With Faust’s support, the game moved into Steam Early Access in 2018, eventually culminating in a full release in 2020. It is unfortunate to witness the downfall of a game that once held such promise and potential.
As critical as it is to scrutinize the decisions made by developers, it is essential to consider the challenges they face. Developing a game with ambitious features can often lead to overwhelming workloads, especially when coupled with dwindling sales and a diminishing player base. It is plausible that the developers found themselves in a tough spot, attempting to implement additional features for an audience that may have already moved on. However, the chosen method of delivering the news was far from ideal, leaving loyal paying players feeling disregarded.
The journey of Them’s Fightin’ Herds has been a tumultuous one, and unfortunately, it has reached an untimely end. The cancellation of further development, particularly the story mode, has left fans disheartened and disappointed. Although there is a glimmer of hope with the release of DLC characters and an additional stage, it is undoubtedly a bittersweet resolution. The adjustments to the original crowdfunded perks add insult to injury, further impacting the trust between the developers and their loyal supporters. Ultimately, it is a lesson in managing expectations, communication, and the challenges faced by developers when trying to meet the demands of a passionate fan base.
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