How “Ship Now, Fix Later” Affects Player Trust and Game Quality

The video game industry hit a whopping $282 billion in revenue in 2024, but this growth came with a string attached—an increasing trend of launching half-baked games that heavily rely on post-launch patches. This “release now, patch later” strategy is largely driven by corporate pressures and the pursuit of live-service models, which has unfortunately started to chip away at player trust and shift how games are developed.

## Broken Launches and Financial Consequences

Take the high-profile flops like Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 and Battlefield 2042 in 2021. Cyberpunk’s launch required a massive 43 GB patch on release day and still ended up causing a stir, leading to lawsuits and even a temporary removal from the PlayStation Store due to game-breaking issues on consoles. Battlefield 2042, on the other hand, missed out on essential features like voice chat, ultimately seeing a 75% plunge in Steam player numbers within just three months.

These rushed launches often result from rigid financial targets. Ubisoft’s XDefiant is a case in point; it was discontinued in June 2025 after failing to hold onto players, which led to 277 staff being laid off. Such mistakes damage studios’ reputations—illustrated by a 2022 survey from PCMag, which revealed that 68% of gamers prefer to wait a few months before buying new releases to get a clear picture of their quality.

## iGaming’s Update-Driven World

The iGaming world also leans heavily on frequent updates, but here, the goal is more about keeping players engaged than fixing issues. For online casinos, such as sia casinos, regular updates introduce new promotions and exclusive slot options.

Online casinos and sportsbooks use AI technology to customize bonuses, game variations, and tournaments on the fly. Unlike video games, these updates are meant to enhance the player experience from the get-go, focusing on engagement rather than rectifying missteps.

## The Shift to Live-Service Models

As games-as-a-service (GaaS) become standard, continuous updates have become the norm. Games like Fortnite and Apex Legends now devote 60–70% of their content to post-launch seasons, encouraging studios to think long-term with monetization over upfront polish. This strategy works well for big names; for example, Capcom’s Monster Hunter World saw a 72% player increase thanks to free additions like Iceborne. However, this model can be a double-edged sword for smaller studios. While Genshin Impact pulled in a staggering $3.7 billion in 2023 through its steady updates, many live-service titles shut down within a year due to unsustainable expenses.

## Eroding Player Trust and Ways to Restore It

The dependence on post-release patches is wearing down player trust. According to a 2022 PCMag survey, 68% of gamers now hold off on buying new games until they’ve read reviews or seen significant updates, up from 45% in 2018. This hesitation is tied to repeated experiences of disappointing initial releases. Day-one patches that top 50 GB in size add to the frustration, especially for players with limited storage or slow internet.

The “ship now, fix later” approach often results from corporate demands to hit quarterly targets. Some companies, like Nintendo, have opted for a different strategy by delaying releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) to guarantee a polished start. To regain player confidence and elevate game quality, studios need to focus on offering well-rounded products initially, saving updates for improvements rather than fixes.

With the global gaming market expected to grow from $262 billion in 2023 to $312 billion by 2027, there’s a real chance for game developers to align their practices with what players want. Finding this balance is crucial for sustaining long-term success in the industry.