Timberborn Developers Commit to Quality Over…

You might be familiar with Timberborn, the charming city-building game centered around beavers that launched into Early Access in September 2021. With over a million copies sold and a dedicated community, it’s clear why the game has gained attention. However, despite its success, developer and publisher Mechanistry has yet to provide an update on the release of the 1.0 version nearly four years after its initial launch.

I’ve only played a few hours of Timberborn so far, but I’m already enchanted by the adorable beaver inhabitants and their remarkable productivity. As communications manager Michal Amielanczyk shared during a video call with Polygon, the natural behaviors of beavers align seamlessly with the flow of a sandbox game — they build, prepare for winter, live in harmony, and even sharpen their teeth. In the May 8 update 7, Mechanistry expanded the construction options, introducing long-distance transportation methods like ziplines and “tubeways” to complement existing structures like farms and fire pits.

“Since update 6 and update 7, the number of players expressing that they believe the game is ready for 1.0 has surged,” noted Amielanczyk. “But truthfully, we will take as long as necessary to ensure the game deserves that 1.0 designation.”

I explained to Amielanczyk and game designer Adrian Bociek that the game feels quite polished to me. As a city builder, it offers depth comparable to any other in the genre, filled with quirky elements crafted by the development team and passionate fans who engage on Timberborn’s Reddit and Discord channels.

“This approach enables us to experiment with ideas alongside the community and refine our features based on their feedback,” Bociek explained. “Often, players use tools we provide in unexpected ways, leading us to enhance those features even further.”

In this way, Bociek and his team view Early Access as a valuable tool that serves both them and the players. They benefit from additional time to refine the game while players gain access to features they find enjoyable.

“We’re not in Early Access because the game is unplayable,” Amielanczyk clarified. “Our focus is on making it the best it can be and preserving the ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating you’ve mentioned for when it officially reaches 1.0.”

I also inquired whether the team has plans for future projects after Timberborn fully launches. Amielanczyk indicated that it’s still too early to discuss that.

“Timberborn is currently our only game, which likely contributes to our cautious approach,” he explained. “I don’t think we’ll ever feel completely ready for 1.0; it will always have that sense of mystery until