Why Early Access?

“Our goal since 2014 was to create a wide and rich open-world game focussed on the abilities of the utilitarian vehicle and natural environments. Having a vehicle sim is fun but when it's connected to a 3rd person in an open world, this makes a great combination and gives rise to flexible playing styles from basic minigames to more complex animated or cinematic sequences.
This was a large undertaking for a small studio but we have been steadily moving towards this goal unabated since 2014. Our studio members are willing to go the distance in any technical area to get a great result. To help keep things moving along we released a basic mobile game in 2017 that allowed us to build a community and culture around the game concept.
We are now at a point in 2021 that is ideal for the players and developers to have communication while having hands-on experiences. The cross-over from developing the foundations of the software to the visible features of gameplay happens at this point. Early adopters can have input that can affect both of these areas which may not be possible later.
The next steps include AuctionList, Multiplayer, and StoryMode.
Input and feedback for the current and future releases will never be ignored and almost certainly make their way into the game based on demand.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We estimate roughly by August 2022 we will have each stage mentioned in a final state.”

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

“The resulting gameplay will focus on challenges that combine the vehicle plus the character's full set of capabilities which will create a unique style of missions. Having a very complex set of character and vehicle ability allows an experience with great depth of complexity. Grind will become more feature-rich with more activity. AI Humans will have more intelligence and the AI vehicles will be more responsive to players and the surroundings. More content will become destructible with vehicle or weapon hits.

Next Stages...
The next stages include AuctionList which is a list for buying and selling completed custom vehicle setups, custom parts, or character accessories. The earnings can then be used in-game. This will include tools for outputting rotating 3D imagery of your character and vehicle in a custom frame.
StoryMode is a single-player animated series that involve a set of challenges that can last 1 hour or as long as 20 hours. Multiple story outcomes are possible and the wins are then kept and used in Grind.
Multiplayer involves 2 modes, Convoy and Battle. Convoy is about working together to collect, farm, and cultivate activities to raise revenue.

Expanding Economy...
With many ways to make money including hunting vermin, harvesting animal produce, catching insects, and selling to stores on the map. More ways to turn a profit will be added with varying levels of difficulty and skill.

New Content...
New vehicles to be constantly added in every update, different types from trucks, bikes, and sports cars. There are 9 vehicles currently, at the end of early access there will be over 40. More characters will be added with more customization options.

Other Technology...
Current vehicle physics from NVIDIA PhysX will shortly be upgraded to Chaos.
New software to be integrated includes physics-based ocean and rivers, volumetric clouds, and live earth sculpting which will allow users to build custom and more destructible worlds.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Grind is the first stage released, it's a level for making money with a basic set of challenges to complete called Tickets. This is tradesman slang for having a permit that allows you to work. This will introduce all features of the level. Follow the Tickets icon to complete.
All the planned features and mechanics of this level are added but will be fine-tuned. The updates to Grind will also push the envelope for gameplay styles. Some we know and love from similar games and some new ideas that could include just mucking around, setting your own goals or actually doing the set missions.

Character Abilities...
The character has a vehicle inventory. Use this to repair vehicles or summons using chinook air transport. A pouch inventory to collect items of value like chicken, beef, animals skins, and bugs. All items to collect have value and can be sold in shops all over the map.
The third set of inventory includes tools that change the functionality of the character. Currently, a hunting rifle, bug gun, and fishing rod are added. Tools that will be added for final production will include more rifles, clubs, grenade/rocket launchers, and swords.

Vehicle Abilities...
The vehicle has 3 modes to control the accelerator pressure and gear change ratio. Giving more abilities in different driving circumstances. Transmission is added with a checkbox on the screen to change the gearbox from an automatic to manual.
Switch high/low, differential, headlights control in Dashboard. Access the world map with 'M' and use the mouse wheel and right-click to set a way-point finder.

Workshops...
Vehicle customization shops cover the map with more than 30 different categories including roof rack, luggage, doors, bonnet, wheel diameter, rim size, tire tread, rim design, suspension settings, suspension rigs, trays, spotlights, winches, bullbars, side skirts, wheel arches, mudguards, sump guards, seats, dashboard and much more. Basic Character customization exists in a store on the map, including pets, hair, hats, and head torch.

Performance should remain roughly the same as we improve optimization at the same time as adding more functionality.

Some minor bugs remaining in Grind that we are aware of and keen to hear about any others that you may find.”

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

“We plan to raise the price as we ship the next stages by roughly double the current price. AuctionList, StoryMode and Multiplayer. Early adopters will benefit from free access to all future stages.”

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

“With an opportunity to add their own input on issues including direction on vehicle choice and styling, gameplay features, feedback on technical aspects, physics, character mechanics, or anything else that comes up in your open-world experience.
Instagram @enhance3dgames and below for bug reporting.”