The supposedly finished version of Industrie Gigant 4.0 is causing a fierce reaction from the community on Steam. Despite acute problems, there will be no further updates after Early Access.
Good economic simulations are rare in the modern gaming landscape, which is why classics such as Industry Giant 2 still hold a special place in the hearts of genre fans. Even in Early Access, its successor, Industry Giant 4.0, failed to live up to this legacy, as our test at the time showed.
One year after the start of the test phase, players are now even more disappointed than before, because what developer Don VS Dodo and publisher Toplitz Productions released as version 1.0 on October 17, 2025, does not deserve this designation in the eyes of many.
The official announcement, which coincided with the so-called final release and announced the end of development for Industrie Gigant 4.0 (there will be no further updates), was met with incomprehension and accusations of fraud on the Steam forums.
The disappointment runs deep. Numerous players who still had the game on their wish list or were waiting for a complete version were abruptly confronted with the (albeit foreseeable) reality: The supposedly final product is unfinished and will remain so.
One user summed up the mood dramatically by moving Industrie Gigant 4.0 from their wish list “straight into the trash.”
What the developers say
According to Toplitz and Don VS Dodo, the early access phase was a “journey full of passion and creativity” made possible by the support of the community. They emphasize how much the revival of the classic meant to them and that they are proud of what they have created together: a “modern homage” to the series.
The developers cite a number of improvements and innovations that the game received during the early access period. These include, among others:
- the production chain navigator to simplify resource management
- a terrain editing tool for real-time landscaping
- New settings options when starting a new game. Players can now set their own goals, choose the starting year, or customize the speed of the game time.
- In addition, the demand system for cities has been revised and the user interface of the line manager has been redesigned.
- One of the latest changes highlighted by the studio is that zone restrictions can now be disabled at the start of the game, allowing industries to be built in any zone.
However, the celebratory review of the work accomplished stands in sharp contrast to the sobering announcement made at the same time: “As we reach this milestone, we must also inform you that there will be no further major updates or new features in the foreseeable future.” Although serious issues will be fixed in the future if they arise, active development of the game has come to an end.
The community’s reaction
In the comments, many users see version 1.0 as an abuse of the early access principle, as they feel they have paid for an incomplete product that is now being officially abandoned.
One buyer, who had even purchased the game a second time because he considered the developers to be “honest and honorable,” feels he has been made a fool of. As a result, many of the fans are planning to file a refund request with Steam.
The developer’s statement that the game received “continuous extensive updates” during Early Access is also causing great frustration. This claim is rejected by parts of the community as “blatantly untrue.” Players complain that there was a gap of almost six months without any major updates and that, despite the improvements cited, the project still feels “raw” and unfinished.
The Steam reviews reflect the disappointment of the players. Industry Giant 4.0 has a total of 38 percent positive reviews, making it “mostly negative.”
Of the 52 reviews from the last 30 days, only 5 percent are positive.
Lack of depth and charm of the classics
Apart from the development freeze, criticism of the game itself continues. Long-time veterans of the genre in particular miss essential elements. For example, there are complaints that the maps are too small and that there is no map generator for larger play areas, which makes the train system unusable for short distances. Another painful point of criticism, especially for fans of the old Industry Giant titles, is the user interface. It is criticized as boring and sober. Compared to the “cheerier” designs of its classic predecessors, or the remastered versions of other genre greats such as Anno or Stronghold, Industry Giant 4.0 lacks charm and visual appeal. Instead of this sequel, some fans would now prefer a well-made remaster of the older parts with modern improvements.
