As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Sektori has emerged as a standout title in 2025, captivating players with its Geometry Wars-inspired roguelike mechanics. With an impressive 97% positive rating on Steam, it’s clear that the game resonates with a dedicated audience. However, as its developer Kimmo Lahtinen recently pointed out, the journey from critical acclaim to commercial success is fraught with challenges, particularly in an industry where new releases are constantly vying for attention.
Developer Insights
Lahtinen, a former Housemarque developer, expressed his surprise at the enthusiastic reception Sektori has received, noting that it exceeded his expectations for a game catering to a niche audience. This acknowledgment reflects a broader trend within the gaming community, where developers are increasingly pivoting towards genres that promise wider appeal, as evidenced by Housemarque’s shift to third-person shooters like Returnal and the upcoming Saros.
One of the more intriguing observations Lahtinen made is the disconnect between the lengthy development cycles of games and the fleeting attention spans of today’s internet users. While Sektori will remain available for purchase indefinitely, its long-term visibility in a crowded market is uncertain. This reality has led to a surge in smaller, more accessible projects that can be developed and released quickly, such as Peak and A Game About Digging a Hole. The strategy is simple: the more titles released, the higher the likelihood of achieving viral success.
Player Demographics
Delving into Sektori’s player demographics, Lahtinen humorously noted that the majority of its audience consists of older gamers. “As I expected, I can see from the stats that the sub 25 year olds have zero time for this nonsense,” he remarked, likening the game to an embarrassing “dad’s tribute band.” This insight highlights the generational divide in gaming preferences and the challenges faced by titles that draw inspiration from retro styles.
Another topic of discussion has been the game’s design philosophy, particularly its reluctance to provide extensive explanations of its mechanics. Lahtinen explained that this was a conscious choice, aimed at encouraging players to explore and discover the game’s intricacies on their own. Despite this intention, he admitted to being “a tiny bit surprised” by the feedback from players who felt that certain aspects were not adequately clarified prior to purchase. “A lot of things are not explained on purpose, so that you can figure it out by yourself,” he stated, reflecting on the balance between guidance and discovery.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, Lahtinen is currently focused on developing a patch for Sektori to address some minor issues, including the difficulty spike encountered during the first boss battle. As a fan of the game’s dynamic combat and overall challenge, I share the hope that these adjustments will enhance the player experience, smoothing out the difficulty curve while maintaining the exhilarating gameplay that has garnered such positive feedback.
