Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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The transition from 2014 to 2015 marked the end of an era for Empire. The game had survived its early years. Goodgame Studios began to double down on monetization, introducing updates that largely missed the mark.

Watch this entire series (beginning with Goodgame Empire's beta in 2011) on my channel: youtube.com/watch?v=IPuYTxfhre4&list=PLfVcR4mlEPqRaAlbo5DWxgMLBZp4wIeMW

Relevant links:
Article discussing labor allegations: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/goodgame-denies-allegations-of-unfair-dismissal
Goodgame Studios' blog post responding to accusations: goodgamestudios.com/blog/statement-on-layoffs/2015/12/18

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:19 Hall of Legends
4:31 Revised Military Hospital
5:18 Autofill
6:19 Might points and time skips
7:11 Other spring changes (and sales), including the Wishing Well
9:06 Summer changes, including Laboratories and the Alliance Coat of Arms
10:57 Updates to the Battle for Berimond
11:44 Samurai Invasion, including the Path to Enlightenment
13:13 LTPEs (a/k/a Seasonal Events)
14:01 Winter changes, including to the Great Kingdoms map
14:56 Labor dispute at Goodgame Studios
15:28 Conclusion

Footage credits:
1) @GoodgameStudiosNews youtube.com/watch?v=6mXSj_rtlD8
2) @Leyliebtmusik youtube.com/watch?v=xOGGJXgtqoM
3) @CrowLeyGames youtube.com/watch?v=y50Uix2W470
4) @TheKaryo youtube.com/watch?v=2el-kjZ92Z8