Why Early Access?

“Originally I wanted to release Critters around July this year, but trying to work out how to develop and being a mom at the same time, was challenging
Amusingly, that's also a bit what the game is about: the struggles of parenthood

So I decided to go in to Early Access, so I would have enough time to develop the game to the best it can be and get feedback from the very people I'm making this game for.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I am aiming to release the game at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018.
If there is any specific strongly requested feature, i might expand on it, but I want it to stay at least within Spring next year.”

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

“My vision for the game is, to have a much more fleshed out world, that would include a bigger map, roaming creatures, your cubs actually "living" their own life- and family cycles, more variations in your adaptations (patterns and appendages like horns and tails), more abilities to help with survival, more Environment in general (it is currently very scarce, because I have been mostly concentrating on getting features to work), lots of special places to explore and little secrets to find all over the world.
I also would like a saving system and lots of "fun" challenges, in form of a wide variation of weathers. The tornado and temperature system I currently have, is just a first glimpse on what I want the challenges to be. There will be NO predators, but there will be creatures big enough to not pay attention to you or your cubs, that it might get dangerous.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Currently the game plays on a Demo island, which is most optimal for testing gameplay and allows me to test each element of the game without needing to cross huge distances or having to care much about optimization. It also won't spoil any secrets from the big game map ;)
It has no sounds or music, animations are very basic and it needs polish in many aspects.
Also, not all features are implemented yet, but the basis of the game is done: Your cubs need food and water, temperature needs to be regulated, they need to be kept safe from heights, they can die and there is poison ingame, they follow you around, if not going too far, and you can select a successor for the next generation.”

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

“The price will not change when the game leaves early access.”

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

“I'm making regular updates on Twitter, facebook and on my discord channel and try to be available as much as I can and give everyone opportunity to voice their opinions or give me feedback.
I have my own vision of the game, which I will follow and hold up as first priority to finish, but I also want to make sure, that whatever suggestion is brought up to me, that I will evaluate if it fits with my vision and if it would be worth implementing and how much it would cost timewise. (and then involve the rest of the community in that decision process)
I will likely not be able to make everyone happy, but I want to try my best to be as open and honest with communication as I can.

click here for updates:
https://twitter.com/EmberSparkz
https://www.facebook.com/EmberSparkz/
https://discord.gg/BXzeYC3

sidenote: I will likely also be active within the Steam forums for Critters, but I don't want to make any promises about the regularity, since I am already quite busy with everything else ;)”