Why Early Access?

“This will be my first (big) game and getting feedback early will be really valuable. I'm at the point where the core of the game is in a good state (and in my opinion fun) but the full feature set isn't set in stone yet so I can still make significant changes based on feedback.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“If I'm honest that's a little unknown. Its a very open-ended game so it's difficult to define "finished". That said; Q1 2022 is a possible date for final release.”

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

“The game as it stands has a lot of sandbox play (here's a world, go play in it). That sandbox will always exist but I intend to include more optional directed game play as well. More generally I intend for the world to be more "full", with more creatures, more buildings and more computer controlled machines (some of which may attack you and your machines). That said, the whole point of early access is to get feedback and that feedback may change my direction.

I will almost certainly tweek the crafting requirements for each block.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The game has a large feature set already and I think is an interesting and fun game. It's been written in such a way that save games should remain compatible within different versions and I will try to maintain that. However; the world is built in chunks and if (as is likely) the seeding algorithm changes the world may gain discontinuities (i.e. a forest suddenly turns into a mountain).

The game is a procedurally generated infinite world so talking of "hours of game play" isn't really possible. However i can say the game contains:

• An infinite* earth like world, with trees, hills, deserts, mountains and seas.
  
• 13 different biomes.
  
• 43 Active blocks (blocks that do something, like thrusters and rails).
  
• 60 Non active blocks (blocks like stone, grass and wood).
  
• A crafting system that allows you to use things you find in the world to build more complicated blocks.
  
• Two game modes; standard and sandbox. Standard requires the collection of raw materials from the world to create machines, sandbox allows you to create all block types without collecting anything.
  
• Procedurally generated structures in the world. At present there are 7 fundamental artificial structure types [towers, villages etc] placed within the world, each occurrence subtly different.
  
• Procedurally generated computer controlled ships (at present 2 types, but many more to come).
  
• A full intro that teaches you the fundamentals of the game.
  
• Hostile and friendly mobs (currently 8 types).

The description within the about section describes the game as it is now except where I have explicitly said otherwise.

*by infinite I more accurately mean: far larger than could ever be explored; millions of square kilometres.”

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

“It's likely the price will gradually rise as more features are added.”

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

“I'd love to hear feedback at https://richardonsoftware.wordpress.com/contact/ or support@oneMillionWorlds.com, be that feature suggestions, bug reports or just questions about the game.”