Timberborn’s creators at Mechanistry aren’t about to slap a “1.0” on their beaver city-builder just to hit a deadline, even after four years in Early Access. They listen closely to player feedback, roll out thoughtful updates, and actually code that tricky water physics themselves—no shortcuts here. Their financial model relies on steady sales, not flash-in-the-pan releases, so they keep it slow, avoid burnout, and spend time getting, well, everything just right. Curious how this beaver dam holds up?
After nearly four years in Early Access, Timberborn‘s creators, Mechanistry, seem to be playing the long game—and they’re not apologizing for it. In a gaming world obsessed with instant gratification and rapid-fire releases, the Polish indie team is taking its sweet time, and, honestly, their fans don’t seem to mind.
Timberborn’s Early Access journey began on September 15, 2021, after an extensive Open Alpha and Closed Beta period—meaning the beaver-based city builder has been in the public eye for almost half a decade. The game utilizes the Unity engine, providing a solid technical foundation for its signature water physics and vertical city-building systems. The game features two distinct beaver factions, each with unique buildings and playstyles, offering players varied strategies for survival and expansion.
Mechanistry’s philosophy is simple: don’t rush greatness. Each update is the result of player feedback, careful iteration, and sometimes, a complete overhaul of systems. They’re allergic to slapping a “1.0” sticker on the game just to make a deadline—if Timberborn isn’t ready, it isn’t launching.
Mechanistry refuses to rush Timberborn—each update is carefully crafted, shaped by players, and only released when truly ready.
Players have seen this firsthand, like when demo feedback in early 2021 prompted Mechanistry to delay Early Access entirely. Most studios would panic; Mechanistry just posted a transparent dev log and got back to work. Unlike many live service games that push constant updates to maintain engagement and monetization, Timberborn prioritizes quality over rapid content drops.
Meanwhile, the team keeps communication lines wide open. Update notes, developer diaries, and active forum discussions keep everyone in the loop. Players toss out ideas, and, surprisingly often, those ideas show up in future builds. This isn’t just lip service; the community really does drive the game’s direction.
Of course, progress isn’t always fast. Coding a new water physics system, for example, isn’t a weekend project—sometimes a “small” request from players means months of backend tinkering.
Mechanistry’s careful approach avoids burnout, maintains high standards, and, significantly, dodges the dreaded feature creep that has sunk many ambitious games.
Financially, Timberborn’s Early Access sales support ongoing development, not rushed deadlines or flashy PR. Profits go back into the game, fueling content expansions and technical upgrades.