BioWare Ex-Mass Effect Devs Call Nightingale "Open World Done Right"

Former Mass Effect developers at Inflexion Games are overhauling their open-world survival crafting game, Nightingale. Addressing player feedback and acknowledging shortcomings, the team announced a major summer update aimed at restructuring the experience.

The developers, including former Bioware boss Aaryn Flynn, openly admitted dissatisfaction with the game's current state, citing player numbers and overall sentiment as areas needing improvement. While initial focus was on bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements (including a much-requested offline mode), the upcoming update shifts focus to addressing core gameplay issues.

A key concern, according to art and audio director Neil Thomson, is the game's overly open-world nature. The vastness, while offering freedom, has led to a lack of direction and repetitive gameplay. The summer update will introduce clearer progression systems, more defined goals, and improved realm designs to combat this. The developers aim to provide a more structured experience with a better sense of player advancement and distinct differences between the game's various realms.

Further changes include reevaluating core mechanics and increasing build limits for more elaborate structures. Previews of these improvements are promised in the coming weeks. Despite currently holding "Mixed" reviews on Steam, positive reviews are steadily increasing, indicating growing player satisfaction with ongoing improvements. The developers expressed gratitude for player feedback and welcomed continued input. The team remains committed to refining Nightingale and delivering a more compelling experience.