Pharaoh in 2024?

[Sky]

I havn't played at all in 2024, but just noticed there hasn't been any patches done for the game since Feb? Does this mean the game is all fixed or what is the current state of it? I'm surprised how old all the videos etc for this game is online...did I miss something here?

[Muerte]

Definitely not all bugs fixed

[Sajuuk]

Originally posted by Sky:

I havn't played at all in 2024, but just noticed there hasn't been any patches done for the game since Feb? Does this mean the game is all fixed or what is the current state of it? I'm surprised how old all the videos etc for this game is online...did I miss something here?

Hello there. At the moment, there are still a fair number of (mostly) minor bugs in the game, but as of the current patch -- 1.5.3 -- the game is largely playable. One or two major bugs may hamper progress though, such as those with ferries.

A small number of people from the community have banded together to create a Bug Fix Mod Pack, which fixes a very significant number of the minor issues in the game, as well as some of the more major bugs related to pathing and trade (eg with ferries and docks), so for the time being, it is the most ideal way to experience Pharaoh A New Era.

If you're interested in the mod pack, then instructions for how to download it can be found here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1351080/discussions/0/6382252647763840792/

[Joe Mama]

They abandoned development though right? No updates in years.

[Sajuuk]

Originally posted by Joe Mama:

They abandoned development though right? No updates in years.

They have never officially confirmed that development was abandoned. They launched a patch in late 2023, but were then moved to other projects. There’s nothing to indicate that no new patches will be made for Pharaoh A New Era, just as much as there’s no indication that they have abandoned development. Until they make an announcement to say they won’t be making further updates, then its speculation to say that it has been abandoned.

If you want the developers to consider another patch, then using and promoting the bug fix mod pack is a good way of doing so. If more and more players are using it and giving their feedback to say that it has improved their experience, then it may encourage the developers to make a new patch. 👍

[⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠]

Originally posted by Sajuuk:

Originally posted by Joe Mama:

They abandoned development though right? No updates in years.

They have never officially confirmed that development was abandoned. They launched a patch in late 2023, but were then moved to other projects. There’s nothing to indicate that no new patches will be made for Pharaoh A New Era, just as much as there’s no indication that they have abandoned development. Until they make an announcement to say they won’t be making further updates, then its speculation to say that it has been abandoned.

If you want the developers to consider another patch, then using and promoting the bug fix mod pack is a good way of doing so. If more and more players are using it and giving their feedback to say that it has improved their experience, then it may encourage the developers to make a new patch. 👍

On the contrary. Because there is already a mod that fixed bugs there is no need to make the changes in the game. Otherwise they would have done so in 2024. But there is no update in 2024 whatsoever.
You say there is no indication they've abandoned the project or having no more updates, but that counts for the other side of the coin as well.
There is no indication across all games that supporting mods will persuade the developers of continuing development & there is no communication at all from the devs about new updates coming. That sounds like abandonment to me. Devs never confirm abandoning a game, that's not how abandoning works.
This is a clear example of running with the money.
If that is not the case i stand corrected, but as it stands now there is no future for this game. If there is, we haven't heard of it in over a year.

[Sajuuk]

Originally posted by ⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠:

On the contrary. Because there is already a mod that fixed bugs there is no need to make the changes in the game. Otherwise they would have done so in 2024. But there is no update in 2024 whatsoever.

Thats not really how game development works. If all players are having to use mods to get a meaningful experience, then those fixes should be in the game as part of an official patch. The entire purpose of the mod pack for PANE is to be a stop-gap until the developers are given the time and budget to make a new patch, which could be at any time.

We know that the developers were moved on to other projects and that they can’t guarantee a future patch — they have confirmed as such on the pane discord server. For me, that tells me that the developers are keen to make another patch, but they do not have the time or the budget to be able to so, nor do they have the publishers approval to make one. If all of the above align, i’m sure that we will get another patch.

for me, the game isn’t abandoned until the developers say so [and there are many developers for other games who “do” announce when they are no longer making further patches to their games]. Of course you’re free to remain more sceptical, but i’ve talked to the devs on a regular basis and they’ve intimated their thoughts on things, but i can’t repeat them here because it is confidential.

There is no indication across all games that supporting mods will persuade the developers of continuing development & there is no communication at all from the devs about new updates coming…. If that is not the case i stand corrected, but as it stands now there is no future for this game. If there is, we haven't heard of it in over a year.

Naturally i disagree with this. If the bug fix mod pack encourages many players to buy Pharaoh A New Era and to use the mod pack, then that means the mod pack has achieved its goal of getting more players into the game. If there are more players, that means there is income being generated and the developers, as well as the publisher, will be emboldened to consider a new patch.

[⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠]

Yeah that is not how it works, but thank you for your answer.
Mods don't make players buy the game. Especially not when it comes to bug fixes.
I do understand the concern about funding or time to do so.
But that would mean that development has stopped until further notice.
A shame really.

Also on one hand you say it could be any time that a patch arrives and on the other hand you say they don't have the time or funding to do so.

I do agree however if more players buy the game a patch could be in the future. However a mod won't make that happen. A mod is mostly for people who already bought the game.

Thanks for your answer, i'll skip the purchase for now and go back to Nebuchadnezzar.