Miksi Early Access?

Dark Existence has been in development since early 2020 and already has a working four-player cooperative mode where you will be able to play with friends, as well as playing alone. I have decided to put this project as early access as this is my first ever multiplayer game that I am making and I am the only person working on it, therefore, as my way of ensuring a good quality game, I intend to release the game in a workable state that will prove enjoyable.

After being inspired by Hideo Kojima's title Silent Hills and being a massive horror fan, I decided I want to make my dream project. I have aimed to make a true psychological horror experience, and as this is quite a sophisticated advanced artificial intelligence-based project, I want to get this game out to other horror fans and keep working on it over time. This will include bringing out new levels, new game modes, and other exciting features to turn this game into something unique.

Miten kauan peli tulee arviolta olemaan Early Access -vaiheessa?

It's hard to say how long the title will be in early access. I want to ensure that when I am transitioning from early access to full release the game is 100% workable and enjoyable. A rough estimate of when it could be fully released is around 1 - 2 years, assuming all levels and game modes are completed.

Millä tavoin lopullinen versio tulee eroamaan Early Access -versiosta?

With the initial release of early access, there will be one level known as the Old Manor which will be a co-op game mode with up to 4 players.

There will also be one level for the 'Play Alone' mode which is the chapter-based singleplayer game mode.

As for the full version, it is intended that there will be multiple levels, a PvP game mode where one player will control the monster and attempt to stop the invaders. There will also be a single-player mode that will not be based on the background story of the multiplayer levels, but a completely different experience with some story-rich elements.

Plans for the road ahead:

• More cooperative maps
  
• More singleplayer chapters
  
• More achievements
  
• More game modes such as PvP
  
• New environments filled will hellish events
  
• New enemies
  
• New sanity-based mechanics
  
• New story-rich elements with dialogue

Mikä on Early Access -version tila tällä hetkellä?

Currently, Dark Existence has a co-op mode with up to 4 players where you will play together in the level known as Old Manor. The players will also be spawning into a multiplayer hub known as 'The Bunker' where they will pick a map together and play there. You will also be able to work as a team and work out puzzling parts of the map that allow you to progress further.

The game already contains frightening atmospheric realism that really puts you on edge, and intends to become even more terrifying.

There will also be one level available to play for the 'Play Alone' mode.

Muuttuuko pelin hinta Early Access -vaiheen jälkeen?

The price will probably only slightly increase when transitioning to 1.0, but no plans are made yet for this and it will vary based on the content that is in the game when in the transition period.

Miten yhteisö otetaan mukaan kehitysprosessiin?

While developing the game, and before initially releasing it as early access, you will be able to follow updates and progress through different channels such as; Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Reddit.

In regards to when the game is actually released as EA, there will be some systems in place that will allow people to provide feedback, report bugs as well as improvement suggestions of what people would like.

Who am I and why am I making this?

"I've been working as a game developer for the last 10 years, working in the industry as well as for self-training myself in a variety of development tools that allow me to make something truly awesome.

I started this project 'Dark Existence' right when COVID-19 hit. I found myself with a lot of free time on my hands. I created a prototype of this project back in 2015 and decided that now is the time to make it become alive and actually create something as dark as my nightmares.. That's a joke, I have good dreams!

Anyway, the project was intended to be for singleplayer, but I thought after being a big fan of cooperative games, how awesome would it be to play an extremely terrifying game alongside your friends? That's what I want to make. It's a huge challenge jumping into the world of network programming for my first time, but a challenge is what gets me going.

There will be a bumpy road ahead working alone, but I hope with the support I get from other awesome horror fans, we can make this game become what I envisioned.

Thanks, and hope you enjoy Dark Existence!"