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Many cozy gamers – myself included – could hardly wait for the launch of the adorable witchy game Garden Witch Life. Unfortunately, its initial release across PC and consoles came with quite a few bugs and glitches.
This left some players feeling incredibly frustrated, and the developer has taken note. Freetime Studio released a comprehensive statement addressing the issues, common player questions, and their future plans to improve the game.
Launch Update from Freetime Studio Explains Console Issues
FreetimeStudio shared a link to a lengthy post about the launch issues for Garden Witch Life on X.
The post starts with an apology to players for the glitches they’ve encountered. While they state they do not intend to deflect criticism, they do take time to address just what led to the issues players are experiencing.
Transparency is crucial when navigating an unhappy player base, and Freetime Studio is taking pains to provide that transparency.
Their statement also includes a list of known issues and whether they have already been repaired in the upcoming console path or are still being addressed. This can help players determine whether to report bugs or if the error they ran into is already being fixed.
Technical Error Impacted Console Version at Launch
The biggest revelation from the news post explains why the console version of Garden Witch Life was far glitchier than the PC counterpart. According to Freetime Studios, “there was a technical error delivering the correct versions to consoles.”
The version that console players wound up with at launch was not the finalized version, where many of the bugs plaguing players had already been patched. Freetime is working with their console partners to get these versions updated ASAP, but are unable to provide an exact timeline as of now.
What console players should note from this statement is that the game will be updated to fix these issues. If you’re feeling frustrated that it’s not running, rest assured that this isn’t a forever problem.
Although the console glitches are more severe due to this error, playing on PC isn’t entirely smooth sailing either. The devs generously provided Bonus Action with a review code and I’ve been enjoying the game on PC. I’ve encountered a few issues here and there, including the dreaded progress reset glitch and some frankly quite funny clipping issues with my little witch hat.
The developers encourage players to continue reporting bugs in their official Discord server. Although the game is not in Early Access, the developers made it clear that it doesn’t mean they’re not going to keep improving the game.
Given the comments from some creators and players that the game feels like Early Access, it’s reassuring to hear that future fixes are in the works. However, it’s important to remember that many games continue to be updated and receive bug fixes even after a full launch, including massive games like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Developers Address Common Complaints & FAQs
Along with their promise to continue updating and improving the game, the developers included an FAQ regarding many common complaints about the game.
This includes some clarification on certain mechanics, including the Community Box vs. MagiBuy system and Fatigue, as well as uneven quest progression. For some mechanics, fixes are on the way. But for others, the developers explain how these gameplay elements fit into their vision for the game.
There is some interesting information here that digs into what Freetime Studios wanted to achieve with Garden Witch Life, and it may also help you decide if this game is for you.
It can’t be easy to have an influx of this kind of feedback after launching a game that requires a ton of hard work. The developers are taking the criticism seriously and working to fix bugs so players can enjoy a cozy witchy life soon.
Looking for tips on Garden Witch Life, including some notes about how to avoid common bugs until they’re squashed? Check out our full walkthrough. You can also check out My Time at Evershine, the new Pathea cozy game coming to Kickstarter.
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