How Co-Op Shaped Lords of the Fallen II

GamesMarkt: How satisfied are you with the success of Lords of the Fallen? How important is the game and the franchise for CI Games?

James Lowe: "We're very proud of where Lords of the Fallen stands today. The launch was not without challenges, but what matters to me far more is what followed. The game grew through sustained support, clear intent, and a strong relationship with its community. For us, Lords of the Fallen is a cornerstone franchise. It represents a long-term creative commitment rather than a one-off release. It defines how we approach dark fantasy, how we support our players, and how we invest in experiences that are built to last."

In August 2025, it was confirmed that more than two million copies of Lords of the Fallen had been sold. However, the number of players has grown to over six million because the game is also included in subscription services. The game was originally released in October 2023.

GamesMarkt: Lords of the Fallen received over 70 updates. Which elements were most essential for its long-term success?

James Lowe: "Consistency and follow-through were critical. Early on, stability and performance had to be addressed decisively. Beyond that, the focus shifted to refining the experience itself, combat balance, enemy behavior, progression pacing, and onboarding. What truly sustained the game was trust. Players could see that feedback was not only heard but acted on. Over time, that created confidence that the experience would continue improving rather than being abandoned."

GamesMarkt: Which experiences and lessons learned will definitely be incorporated into the sequel?

James Lowe: "The clearest lesson was the importance of intent. Systems must be readable, difficulty must feel fair, and performance must be solid from the very beginning. Those principles shaped every aspect of Lords of the Fallen II. From onboarding and pacing to technical workflows and world structure, the sequel was built with those lessons applied upfront rather than corrected later."

James Lowe is the Game Director of Lords of the Fallen II at CI Games. He joined the studio as Art Director in February 2024 and became Game Director in September of the same year. Previously, he was Art Director at Fishlabs in Hamburg, Art Producer and Art Director at Deck 13 Interactive in Frankfurt for over three years, and Senior Art Manager at ADIA Entertainment in China.

GamesMarkt: How would you assess the current state of the Soulslike genre? Is the market big enough?

James Lowe: "The genre is in a state of maturity, not decline. Players understand the language of Soulslikes now, and that familiarity has expanded the audience rather than limiting it. Relevance today comes from identity. Soulslikes that offer a clear tone, a strong world, and a deliberate emotional experience continue to resonate. The market is absolutely there, but it rewards conviction rather than imitation."

GamesMarkt: What is the most important aspect of a good Soulslike game?

James Lowe: "Meaningful challenge. Not difficult for its own sake, but a challenge that teaches the player, rewards learning, and delivers genuine emotional payoff when obstacles are overcome."

GamesMarkt: Why do you think Soulslikes are so successful?

James Lowe: "They respect the player more than any other genre. Soulslikes trust players to observe, adapt, and improve without constant instruction. That sense of earned progress creates a far deeper connection than more disposable experiences."

GamesMarkt: To what extent are multiplayer aspects planned for Lords of the Fallen II?

James Lowe: "Multiplayer, particularly shared-progression co-op, is a core pillar of Lords of the Fallen II. Everything we learned from the previous game informed how co-op was approached this time. The goal is cooperation that feels seamless and meaningful, something that complements the core experience rather than diluting it or turning it into a separate mode. We also have a few surprises for players that really want to engage in this side of the experience."

GamesMarkt: Lords of the Fallen II is currently only available on PC via the Epic Games Store. Is this a temporary exclusive deal?

James Lowe: "We have nothing to announce regarding additional PC storefronts at this time. What I can say is that our partnership with Epic provides strong technical support, visibility, and stability during an important launch period. Any future plans will be communicated clearly when the time is right."

GamesMarkt: Why did you decide to unveil the game at gamescom?

James Lowe: "Gamescom offers a unique opportunity to reach core fans and a broad international audience at the same time. It is a show that puts gameplay at the center, which aligns perfectly with how we want Lords of the Fallen II to be experienced and understood."

GamesMarkt: Apart from Lords of the Fallen, will CI Games continue with Sniper Ghost Warrior?

James Lowe: "Yes. Sniper Ghost Warrior remains an important franchise for CI Games. It serves a different audience and creative purpose, and that diversity is a strength of our portfolio."

GamesMarkt: Finally, could you give a brief overview of CI Games and explain how development is structured now that Hexworks no longer exists as a separate studio?

James Lowe: "CI Games now operates with development fully integrated under a single organisation. Rather than maintaining separate studio entities, teams work directly within CI Games, which allows for closer collaboration, clearer accountability, and stronger alignment between creative and technical leadership."