Bender did not explicitly mention the core vision for Manor Lords in the provided content. However, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the core vision for the game and maintaining a slow, sustainable growth while ignoring external pressure from commenters and expectations.
Raphael van Lierop, CEO of Hinterland Games, criticized Manor Lords for its lack of updates and content in early access, describing it as a "case study in the pitfalls of early access development1." He argued that the game needs more maps, game modes, or dynamism to keep it fresh, and that the small development team is struggling to meet the need for expansion.
Tim Bender, CEO of strategy-focused publisher Hooded Horse, believes that success in game development should not create an ever-raising bar of new growth expectations. He advocates for a more sustainable path forward, moving away from the idea that every game should become a live-service boom or bust. Bender encourages developers to focus on their core vision for the game and not feel pressured by the expectations of others, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy and sustainable development environment.