In the video game development industry, effective communication is not just a courtesy to the community, it’s a vital part of the process that can reinforce or undermine the trust between players and developers.
Over the years, various studios have shown how clear and consistent dialogue can be the difference between a successful Early Access and a broken relationship with its audience.
One of the most recent cases that reignited this debate is that of Kunos Simulazioni and Assetto Corsa Evo (ACE).
Trust Isn’t Built in Silence
It’s not the first time a game in development has experienced delays, roadmap changes, or deviations from the original plan. That’s understandable. However, the problem is not the delay, it’s the silence.
In the case of ACE, many players have pointed out that the main issue hasn’t been the lack of content, but the disconnection in communication from the studio. Announcements made on the last day of the month, roadmaps quietly abandoned, repeated promises of “improved communication” with no visible change… all of this slowly wears down the patience of a fanbase that has invested not only money but trust in the project.
What Does Good Communication in Development Look Like?
To better understand this, I spoke with three developers from independent studios (who preferred to remain anonymous), and they all agreed on a key point: good communication doesn’t need to be frequent, but it must be clear, transparent, and proactive.
“It’s not about posting every week, it’s about getting ahead of the problem. If there’s a risk of a delay, you communicate it. If there’s nothing new to show, you explain it. Silence leads to speculation, and speculation kills trust.”
Effective communication in game development is about striking a balance between informing and not overpromising.
Studios like Larian (Divinity, Baldur’s Gate 3) have been praised for their detailed dev diaries and open handling of technical issues. Even when they delayed content, their tone was clear:
“We want to deliver something worthy, and we need more time to do it right.”
On the other hand, negative examples abound. No Man’s Sky, in its initial release, fell victim to overhype with little substance. Overly ambitious marketing, vague communication, and broken promises led to a massive PR crisis. The team at Hello Games eventually redeemed themselves through transparency and consistent updates.
Marketing Is Not Communication
A recurring criticism within the ACE community is the feeling that communication has been replaced by storefront-style marketing: pretty renders, short videos without context, vague phrases about progress. Many players feel that “a 30-second video every two months” isn’t enough to maintain interest or trust in the project.
When marketing replaces communication, it signals insecurity. The community begins to wonder if development is really progressing or if they’re just being sold a dream. A broken roadmap hurts, but a roadmap that disappears without a word hurts more. Without a clear narrative from the studio, players write their own often filled with frustration.
Ultimately, communication isn’t just about informing it’s about nurturing the relationship with those who already believed in your idea.
The case of Kunos and Assetto Corsa Evo isn’t unique, but it is illustrative. With a strong track record in racing sims and a loyal fanbase, their biggest enemy hasn’t been the schedule it’s been the silence.
In an industry where more studios choose the Early Access model, respecting those who help fund the game from day one should be reflected in something as basic as telling the truth.
Transparency won’t speed up development, but it keeps trust from falling behind too.
Happy Racing!
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