Why Early Access?

“This game needs to get out into public view before the game is considered feature complete.

**BECAUSE OF THE UNITY GAME ENGINE'S CHANGES, THIS GAME WILL REMAIN IN EARLY ACCESS WELL INTO 2024 AS IT SWITCHES TO A NEW GAME ENGINE**

Goals 2 months from release:
-Add 3 more levels, briefings, and story
-Load/save functionality
-Replace player character with customizable player avatar (new animations)

Goals 4 months from release:
-Add space shooter on rails game mode once the story takes the fight to space
-End-game boss fight with story-rich twist
-Add game ending

Goals 6 months from release:
-Improved alien animations/sounds
-Voice acting

Possible additional features still being explored but not guaranteed:
-Player choice-making during briefings
-Unlocking playing as positively-aligned non-insectoid alien race (Sirian, Arcturian, etc)”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Unexpected changes from the Unity game engine are forcing this game to move to a new engine before more content can be released, which is a massive and unexpected blow to development. We're probably looking at another 6-12 months of early access at this point now.”

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

“Planned extra features for full version:
-Extra levels (including entering the alien lander craft) with more cutscenes/briefings
-Levels with different game mode (space shooter on rails)
-End-game boss fight with story-rich twist
-Additional weapons/armor with vastly different playthrough feel
-Dramatic improvements to player avatar (animations, customizations, equipment)
-Improved alien animations/sounds
-Voice acting
-More polish to briefings
-Load/save functionality”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current state of the game contains a several 2D shooter levels + briefings that showcase the game's overall concept and story.

Current version of the game contains:
-Five 2D levels where the player runs, jumps, and shoots incoming alien insectoids. The first few shooter levels involve the player attempting to gain entrance to the aliens' landing craft.
-Visual-novel-styled beginnings and endings for each level outlining more information about what is going on during the invasion.
-After each briefing, the player automatically gains upgrades at the start of each new level.
-Player character has a planned replacement with dramatically improved visual art and animations.
-Most of the sound and music are complete.”

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

“No. The game will 99% likely remain free-to-play, as number of eyeballs seeing the game is more important than recouping costs.”

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

“Posting updates and planned updates and gauging player reactions. If community gets large enough, a discord channel will also be used.”