# Industry Giant 4.0 Experiences Challenging Debut in Early Access with Mixed Reviews on Steam
On **November 15, 2024**, the eagerly awaited **Industry Giant 4.0** made its debut in Early Access. Created by **Don VS Dodo** and brought to you by **Toplitz Productions**, this title marks the latest chapter in the cherished German economic simulation franchise. However, even with the buzz surrounding its launch, the game has had a tumultuous beginning. Days after its release, **Industry Giant 4.0** has achieved only **46 percent positive reviews** on Steam, prompting both fans and reviewers to wonder if the game was truly ready for its release.
## A Disheartening Start
The preliminary responses from players have not been encouraging. Numerous fans of the franchise, particularly those who have fond memories of **Industry Giant 2**, have shown dissatisfaction with the game’s current state. The **Steam user TheOrigin** was notably critical, commenting:
> “Don’t engage with this for now. It feels more like a demo than a full game. It requires at least another year or more for refinements to gameplay mechanics and technology. In comparison to Industry Giant 2, it feels like a regression in certain mechanics.”
TheOrigin’s review emphasizes multiple critical problems, including **restricted maps**, **subpar graphics**, and a **tech tree** that is locked behind a paywall. These remarks resonate with many players who believe that the game feels unfinished and lacks the intricacy and refinement expected from a contemporary economic simulation.
Interestingly, despite the strong criticism, TheOrigin has logged less than **half an hour** in the game, leading to questions about the breadth of their experience. Nonetheless, other players with greater gameplay hours have expressed similar worries. **Rhaan**, another Steam user boasting over **16 hours** of playtime, compared **Industry Giant 4.0** unfavorably against its predecessor:
> “At this moment, there’s no worthy successor… No AI competitors and therefore no economic challenges. There’s no creativity in industrial construction; you are forced to place everything in a chronological order on the map. It resembles a typical browser or mobile game.”
Rhaan’s commentary highlights a lack of **AI adversaries** and **economic challenges**, which are essential elements of any captivating economic simulation. Many players feel that without these aspects, the game resembles more of a **mobile game** than a legitimate PC offering.
## Low Player Count and a Troubled Launch
Alongside the unfavorable reviews, **Industry Giant 4.0** has struggled to gain a substantial player base. At the time of its Early Access launch, the game peaked with just under **600 concurrent players**. Since then, player numbers have fluctuated between **75 and 126 players**, a relatively meager figure for a title with such a significant history. This implies that many gamers might have been dissuaded by the game’s early condition and are awaiting further updates before they reconsider.
## Some Positive Insights: “The Basic Framework is Present”
Despite the predominance of critical feedback, **Industry Giant 4.0** has also seen some favorable reviews. A handful of players have commended the game for its potential, observing that while it may not currently be flawless, its foundation is promising. One user made a favorable comparison to **Cities Skylines Part 1**, saying:
> “It’s quite enjoyable. It stands a good chance of competing with Cities Skylines Part 1. Those who appreciated parts 1 and 2 in the past will find delight in this one.”
Another player, **Backstone**, also recognized the game’s promise but stressed that it still needs improvement:
> “The basic framework is in place and is executed well. But certain elements, including road and track construction, require enhancement.”
These reviews indicate that while **Industry Giant 4.0** may not be entirely there yet, there is optimism that, with ongoing development, it could eventually reach its full potential.
## Developer Engagement: A Beacon of Hope?
The development team at **Don VS Dodo** has been proactively responding to the negative feedback on Steam, soliciting player opinions on what aspects should be improved. This level of interaction presents a hopeful sign that the team is dedicated to tackling the game’s shortcomings and implementing essential changes. With **Early Access** often serving as a testing environment for developers to refine their games based on input from players, there is optimism that **Industry Giant 4.0** will experience meaningful enhancements in the forthcoming months.
## A Postponed Launch and Lingering Problems
It should be noted that the Early Access launch of **Industry Giant 4.0** was initially slated for **October 23, 2024**, but was postponed to **November 15**. According to the developers, this delay was a response to feedback from both internal and external testing, which uncovered significant issues with the **tutorial** and **usability**.