Iron Gate Studios Faces Backlash as Developers Work on Second Game While Valheim Remains in Early Access

In a surprising twist that has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, three key developers from Iron Gate Studios—including creative director Robin Eyre—have been secretly developing a new co-op dungeon crawler called Begraved during evenings and weekends. The revelation has sparked intense debate among Valheim’s dedicated fanbase, many of whom are questioning whether the studio’s attention is being divided at a critical juncture in the survival game’s development.

Valheim, the Viking-themed survival sensation that launched into early access in February 2021, has captivated millions of players worldwide with its unique blend of exploration, crafting, and mythological combat. The game’s success has been nothing short of meteoric, selling over 12 million copies and maintaining a robust player base despite its extended early access period.

The Begraved Revelation

Begraved represents a stark departure from Valheim’s expansive open-world design. Developed under the independent banner of Grip Jaw, the new title is a first-person co-op dungeon crawler featuring pixel art aesthetics—a style that stands in sharp contrast to Valheim’s more realistic, atmospheric visuals.

The timing of this revelation couldn’t be more precarious. With rumors swirling about Valheim’s final biome development and potential 1.0 release looming on the horizon, fans are expressing frustration that key developers are allocating their personal time to a separate project.

Community Outrage and Concern

The gaming community’s reaction has been swift and passionate. On Reddit threads and gaming forums, longtime Valheim supporters have voiced their concerns:

“I can’t help but feel that it could be splitting focus and dragging out what has already been a long development process,” commented one player, echoing a sentiment shared by many.

Another fan expressed disbelief: “It’s been 4 years in early access and there’s still no sign of the end. And now they were working on a second game?”

The core of the frustration appears to stem from a perceived lack of commitment to delivering the complete Valheim experience that fans have been patiently awaiting. With features like the Mistlands biome still being refined and the promised PlayStation and Switch 2 releases scheduled for 2026, some players worry that developer resources are being stretched too thin.

Developer Response: Passion Project or Problematic Distraction?

In an exclusive interview following a hands-on preview of Begraved, Robin Eyre addressed the controversy head-on. The creative director acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized that the project represents a personal passion rather than a professional commitment.

“This was something that was a little bit worrying for us, and it has always been,” Eyre admitted. “Because [Begraved] is not competing in any way with Valheim, and we don’t want this to compete in any way with Valheim.”

Eyre clarified the nature of the arrangement, noting that the developers are employees rather than owners of Iron Gate Studios. “We just want to make games, and we want to have our outlet. So this is our hobby in the evenings, just making something small in scope and be able to produce and release something in our spare time.”

The creative director emphasized that Valheim remains the team’s primary focus during regular working hours. “The truth is that we work dedicated on Valheim every day, and we’re going towards the 1.0 launch, which is going to be a really, really big thing.”

The Hobby vs. The Main Event

Perhaps the most telling aspect of Eyre’s defense was his characterization of Begraved as an extension of his love for game development rather than a competing priority. “I think that the bottom line is that we’re not owners of Iron Gate. We’re just employees at Iron Gate,” he explained. “We just want to make games, and we want to have our outlet.”

He continued, “I love making games so much that we want to make more, to be able to produce and make more fun games, even if it’s a small little pixel art game. I just want to be able to make more and I totally understand when it’s like, ‘Ah, you’re making this instead of Valheim.’ No, I’m making this and Valheim.”

The distinction between professional work hours and personal passion projects raises interesting questions about creative boundaries in the gaming industry. Eyre’s enthusiasm was palpable as he joked, “And if I could, I would make a third game as well. But I don’t have enough time.”

Industry Context and Precedent

This situation isn’t entirely unprecedented in the gaming world. Several prominent developers have pursued side projects while working on major titles, though the transparency and timing of this revelation have made it particularly contentious.

The controversy also highlights the unique pressures faced by successful indie studios. Valheim’s unexpected success created enormous expectations, and the extended early access period has tested even the most patient fans’ goodwill.

What This Means for Valheim’s Future

Despite the controversy, there’s reason to believe that Valheim’s development remains on track. Sources close to Iron Gate suggest that the final biome is progressing well, and the studio has repeatedly stated that version 1.0 remains their top priority.

The potential 2026 console releases represent a significant milestone that would bring Valheim to an even broader audience. Many industry analysts believe that a polished 1.0 release coinciding with these console launches could generate another wave of interest in the title.

Balancing Creative Freedom and Fan Expectations

The Begraved situation ultimately raises fascinating questions about the relationship between game developers and their communities. In an era where early access games can dominate cultural conversations for years, how much creative freedom should developers retain? And at what point do fan expectations legitimately constrain artistic expression?

For now, Iron Gate Studios appears committed to walking a fine line—maintaining focus on Valheim’s completion while allowing key team members to explore their creative passions in their personal time. Whether this approach satisfies the community remains to be seen.

As Valheim continues its journey toward version 1.0, all eyes will be on Iron Gate to see if they can deliver the complete experience that fans have been waiting for—without letting side projects become a distraction that prolongs the wait even further.

Viral Tags and Phrases:

• Valheim 1.0 release date speculation
• Iron Gate Studios controversy
• Begraved co-op dungeon crawler
• Early access fatigue
• Developer side projects debate
• Robin Eyre creative director interview
• Valheim final biome development
• Gaming community backlash
• PlayStation and Switch 2 release plans
• Indie studio creative freedom
• Valheim vs Begraved comparison
• Game development work-life balance
• Early access game completion anxiety
• Viking survival game updates
• Iron Gate Grip Jaw relationship
• Valheim player base concerns
• Game development passion projects
• Developer transparency issues
• Survival game market competition
• Valheim 2026 console release

,