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Episode 8 of The Hot Seat, aired on March 25th, tackled one of the most fascinating challenges in modern game development: how do games remain relevant over time?
With the industry evolving faster than ever, and player expectations constantly shifting, longevity has become both a goal and a challenge, especially in the strategy genre, where titles often live and grow for years, if not decades.
To explore this topic, we welcomed two exceptional guests: Mariina Hallikainen and Pawel Wojs, who shared their perspectives on building, sustaining, and evolving some of the most influential strategy experiences of the past years.
“We wanted the game to be almost like a platform for creatives - so you can make your own mark.”
Mariina Hallikainen reflected on the journey of Cities: Skylines, a title that not only revived the city-builder genre but redefined how such games are supported post-launch.
Starting with a small team and an ambitious vision, Colossal Order focused on building strong core systems first, knowing that true depth would come over time. What followed was a continuous cycle of iteration, expansion, and collaboration with players.
A crucial element of this success was the studio’s commitment to modding. By empowering players to create and share their own content, Cities: Skylines effectively became a platform: one that could grow organically far beyond its original scope.
At the same time, maintaining that growth required careful decisions: what should be free, what belongs in paid DLC, and how to ensure that the base experience continues to evolve for everyone.
“Delivering history to the masses through gaming… it’s such a magical combination.”
With over two decades of history behind it, the Total War franchise offers a different perspective on longevity. Pawel Wojs shared how Creative Assembly approaches the challenge of evolving a series that has become a cornerstone of the strategy genre.
At its core, Total War has always been defined by a combination of scale, authenticity, and immersion: pillars that continue to guide its development today.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Total War: Medieval III represents a new step for the studio. For the first time, the team is opening up development early, sharing progress and involving the community directly in shaping the game.
This approach reflects a growing trend in the industry: engaging players not just after release, but throughout the entire development process.
This episode also featured a new segment of The Tabletop Corner, bringing a mix of news and hands-on impressions from the tabletop world. Among the highlights were new releases and announcements from Warlord Games, including fresh content for Konflict '47 and Bolt Action, alongside a look at upcoming events like AdeptiCon.
The segment also showcased a selection of games, from the fast-paced co-op experience of Bomb Busters to the enduring appeal of Terraforming Mars, offering a glimpse into the variety and creativity that continue to define the tabletop space.
As the episode made clear, there is no single formula for longevity. Whether it’s through strong design foundations, continuous updates, or deep community integration, each game finds its own path.
What remains constant is the need to adapt, technologically, creatively, and culturally, while staying true to a clear vision.
In an industry defined by change, the games that endure are those that embrace it.
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Hot Seat, that will go live on April 29th.
