Why Early Access?

“Dancing with Ghosts is a story about healing through connection, and we want the community alongside us for the final stretch, helping carry it from something we love into something we can all share. Early Access puts the full game in players' hands sooner, so we can see how the village, its characters, and everyday life truly land, and refine pacing and polish with real feedback before 1.0. During Early Access we'll add features, achievements and other community features, pursue Steam Deck Verification, and the community will vote on at least one extra cultural minigame that we'll build during EA and ship at 1.0. We also wanted the time to learn what resonates best with our community before we commit to some extra cultural features we have planned, such as more immersive in-game details on the locations and cultural practices depicted. What won't change is the story itself: it comes straight from Greg Johnson's own experiences of grief and healing, and it's told the way he intended, from beginning to end.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“About three to four months, with 1.0 firmly planned for January 2027, launching together with other platforms we’ll announce at a later date.”

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

“The complete story is already here in Early Access, ending and all. What 1.0 adds is everything around it: more cultural minigames, including the community-voted one; additional animation and more to see and do around the village; possible reasons to spend the coins and karma you earn beyond the story such as cosmetics, and pacing and polish improvements shaped by player feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“At Early Access launch you can play the complete game: the full story from beginning to end, fully voiced, with ~8 cultural minigames and an explorable village. It's the whole experience, not a slice. Early Access is where we refine pacing and polish and add the extras above on the way to 1.0.”

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

“The price may rise modestly at 1.0 as the extra content and polish land. Anyone who buys during Early Access gets the full 1.0 at no additional cost, so buying early both supports development and locks in the lower price.”

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

“We're building an active community on Discord and Steam: sharing progress openly, running polls and surveys on content and priorities, gathering structured feedback on pacing and the minigames, and folding it into our roadmap. Fittingly for a game about helping others, that spirit reaches past the screen. Early Access ties into the Boon Trail, our real-world merit-making (tham boon) campaign in LA's Thai community, where good deeds, from volunteering to supporting local creators, earn stamps and rewards. Playing, giving feedback, and taking part in Early Access are all part of the same community we're building with players!”