MMO dev explains why we rarely get to see games early following feedback on the first new skill in 17 years: "It doesn't look finished because it's not finished"

Old School RuneScape screnshot showing a blond character with a long beard and moustache wielding a pickaxe in one hand and a shield in the other.

Old School RuneScape's senior designer says that studios prefer not to share early footage of games and updates in development "for a good reason."

Ahead of the MMO's first new skill in 17 years, OSRS developers answered fans' questions about sailing while showcasing their progress thus far in a stream. One question caught the attention of Mod Elena, a senior designer at Jagex: "How do you all feel about the feedback so far from the recent video and blog?" Elena answers that "like many other players," her feelings are "mixed." While she's excited about "all the hype" and positive responses from players who voted for sailing, she's aware that there's a "fair bit of misunderstanding" and "scepticism" from fans concerned about what they've seen.