Why Early Access?

“During the development of my previous game, I've continued to extend content for over two years (one of which on Steam). Including players in the continued development of content has always proven extremely helpful. To make sure the balance feels right, and to apply feedback and suggestions directly into updates. Launching the game as Early Access properly represents that the game will be expanded significantly. However, the Early Access version will not be a paid beta either. All the content that is already included is tested, balanced and optimized to a release-quality standard. The game has also been in a three month Closed Beta with hundreds of participants prior to the Early Access release, and is now ready for more players!”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Until at least 2024. I'll continue to expand the Early Access version until I feel comfortable enough to label it release-ready, and the story is finished entirely. Your responses and feedback will be a leading factor in that decision. But that doesn't mean updates stop after leaving Early Access!”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version contains all features listed in the "About this game" section in a fully playable and balanced manner. The game has a story you progress through, that story features approximately 220 hours of unpaused content in the 11 chapters that are currently available in Early Access. During Early Access, that story will be expanded significantly, until the game contains between 20 and 25 total chapters. Expanding the story will include a variety of new areas to explore and new milestones to reach. Specifics to how the story will expand will be tailored to player responses and suggestions, but will certainly include various themes that come with their own challenges.

When the story is finished entirely, the currently available new game plus feature will be further expanded to offer an option to continue playing after completing the main game. Additionally, the full release will include any improvements that players may suggest during Early Access (that I feel the game will benefit from).”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version contains all features listed in the "About this game" section in a fully playable and balanced manner. These features include multiple skills to train that affect a variety of jobs and constructions, the action queue, story progression and reincarnation. The story features approximately 220 hours of unpaused content in the 11 chapters in the Early Access release. That story will be expanded throughout Early Access until it contains somewhere between 20 and 25 total chapters. The Early Access release follows a three month Closed Beta period with hundreds of participants, and is now ready for more players!”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price will likely be increased somewhat throughout Early Access. Beta testers have indicated that the current price may be a little low for the content that is already present. I want to keep the threshold to join Early Access low at first and gradually adjust the price to what seems most in line with player responses as content expands. As you should expect, if you join Early Access, you're getting all content that's added at a later time included for free. As a solo developer, you are directly supporting me in the ambition to spend a lot more time working on the game to get it to reach its full potential. That should be returned with the gratitude that you deserve for doing so, through updates!”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“I always try to read all feedback on the Steam community and Discord and respond to as much as I realistically can. There is absolutely no better way to form an impression of how players perceive the game and what can be improved upon, than to listen to those that are kind enough to voice their thoughts! The Demo, nor the Closed Beta would have been able to reach the quality that they did without player feedback. And Early Access merely marks the next step in that approach!”