Prototyping turned into an excuse for not thinking
9 hours ago
- #game-design
- #software-development
- #product-releases
- No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 launched with major failures: No Man's Sky didn't deliver promised features, while Cyberpunk 2077 was extremely buggy.
- Both games eventually redeemed themselves through years of free updates and improvements, achieving 'very positive' ratings on Steam.
- Criticism exists for releasing unfinished products publicly, contrasting with the 'early access' model, which is also hit-and-miss.
- The trend of early releases has historical roots, with terms like 'beta' losing meaning and now extending to devices like AI assistants.
- AI tools add complexity, enabling fast prototyping but risking a 'cult of velocity' that neglects thoughtful development and accountability.
- A counter-movement, 'slow software,' emphasizes sustainability, thoughtfulness, care, humanism, and openness in software development.
- Key patterns: velocity isn't an end goal, it's just one ingredient, and designers must consider users' current experience, not just future potential.