Why Early Access?

“"Terrafort" is more than just a game; it's a labor of love, a solo endeavor fueled by passion, creativity, and a vision of what it can become. As a solo developer, I bring a blend of dedication and programming skill to the table, but the journey of game development is vast and time-intensive. This is where Early Access comes in – it's not just a phase of development; it's an invitation to you, the players, to be part of Terrafort's growth.

Following the Agile development paradigm, I work in focused two-week sprints, each dedicated to refining existing features or introducing new ones. This iterative process ensures that every aspect of Terrafort receives the attention it deserves. It's a steady, disciplined approach, ensuring that with each update, Terrafort evolves and improves.

Early Access allows Terrafort to grow organically, guided by your experiences and feedback. It's an opportunity to shape the game's development, ensuring that each feature resonates with you, the players. As a community, we can mold Terrafort into the game we all envision – rich in content, engaging in gameplay, and ever-evolving.

The game in my head is ambitious – a world brimming with adventure, strategy, and endless possibilities. The journey to bring this vision to life is long, and your support and feedback during Early Access are invaluable. Together, we can forge a game that stands the test of time, a game that grows not just in content but in depth and enjoyment.

Join me in this adventure, contribute your ideas, and watch as Terrafort transforms with each sprint. Your support, patience, and feedback are what will make this game not just a product of my imagination but a creation shaped by a community of passionate players.

Welcome to the world of Terrafort – let's build this adventure together.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“"Terrafort" is on a journey to become a robust, self-sustaining gaming experience that captivates and inspires. My vision for the game is ambitious: to not only offer hours of engaging single-player gameplay but also to expand its horizons with multiplayer capabilities and modding support. These features are vital milestones that will mark Terrafort's readiness for Alpha release.

Given the scope of these goals and the iterative nature of the development process, I anticipate that "Terrafort" will be in Early Access for approximately 1.5 to 2 years. This timeline allows for the careful crafting of a stable and fulfilling gaming environment, ensuring each feature - from multiplayer to modding - is implemented thoughtfully and with the highest quality.

Throughout the Early Access phase, Terrafort will evolve through regular updates, each bringing us closer to the comprehensive experience I envision. Community feedback will be instrumental in this process, helping to refine and perfect the game's direction. Your insights and suggestions will not only enhance the current gameplay but also shape the development of these key features.

As a solo developer, my commitment is to quality over speed. I want to ensure that when Terrafort transitions from Early Access to Alpha, it does so as a game that you, the players, are proud to have been a part of. This means taking the necessary time to get each element right, from the thrill of multiplayer interactions to the creativity unleashed through modding.

I invite you to join me on this exciting journey. Together, we'll watch as Terrafort grows from its current state into a game that not only meets but exceeds our collective expectations. Thank you for your support, patience, and passion as we navigate this path to creating a truly remarkable gaming experience.”

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

“The Early Access version of "Terrafort" provides a playable, engaging glimpse into the core capabilities of the Terrafort engine – a testament to what’s possible in this evolving universe. But this is just the beginning. The full version of Terrafort is envisioned to expand significantly upon this foundation, offering a deeper, richer, and more varied gaming experience.

While the current version showcases the main features of the game, the full version is planned to include:

Enhanced Multiplayer Capabilities: Bringing players together for collaborative and competitive play, adding a new dimension to the Terrafort experience.
Advanced Modding Support: Empowering the community to create and share their own content, extending the game’s lifespan and scope.
Diverse Environments and Biomes: Introducing a wider variety of terrains and settings, each with unique challenges and opportunities.
Richer Story Elements: Weaving a more complex narrative into the game, providing context and depth to the player's actions.
Expanded Building and Crafting Systems: Offering more options and complexity, allowing for greater creativity and personalization.

The journey from Early Access to the full version will be marked by gradual, consistent additions and enhancements. The focus will be on refining existing mechanics, introducing new features, and ensuring a stable and enjoyable experience.

It’s important to note that while these are the planned directions for Terrafort, the nature of game development, especially as a solo developer, means that adaptability is key. The final scope and features of Terrafort will be shaped by ongoing development insights, player feedback, and the creative exploration of what the game can become.

The full version of Terrafort is not just about adding more content; it's about enriching the game in every aspect. My commitment is to build a game that resonates with the players and stands as a living, evolving world that we’ve created together.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“As of now, Terrafort is in a promising and playable early stage. This initial Early Access version offers a functional and engaging demonstration of the core mechanics and the potential of the Terrafort engine. Here's what players can expect in the current build:

Procedural Terrain Generation: Explore a world that constantly evolves with endless terrain, offering a unique experience with each playthrough.
Resource Collection and Economy: Engage in the gathering of resources and utilize a basic in-game economic system, where you can sell your collected items.
Building Mechanics: Test your creativity and strategic skills by constructing fortifications using available resources.
Survival Elements: Experience the thrill of survival, where resource management is key to your success.
Basic Combat System: Defend yourself against threats, including bandits that emerge with the onset of night.
Day/Night Cycle: Adapt your strategies to the changing environment as you transition between day and night.
Real-Time Lighting and Shadows: Enjoy a visually appealing experience with real-time lighting effects.
HUD with Essential Information: Navigate the game with a user-friendly HUD that includes a minimap, inventory, and player stats.

It's important for players to understand that this version of Terrafort is very much a work in progress. Features are in their foundational stages, and improvements and additions are ongoing. The game is stable and playable, but as development progresses, players can expect regular updates that enhance and expand the gameplay experience.

As an Early Access player, your feedback is invaluable. You're not just playing a game; you're actively contributing to its development. Your experiences, suggestions, and insights will help shape Terrafort’s growth and evolution.

While Terrafort is in a basic but solid state now, the vision for its future is vast. As development continues, expect to see enhancements to existing features and the introduction of new, exciting elements that will enrich the world of Terrafort.”

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

“My approach to pricing Terrafort is rooted in fairness and value. As the game grows and evolves through the Early Access phase, our pricing strategy will reflect the expanding content and features. Here's what you can expect:

Gradual Price Adjustments: During the Early Access period, we plan to review and possibly adjust the price of Terrafort in a gradual manner. These adjustments will be in line with significant updates or additions to the game. The idea is to ensure that the price always reflects the current value of the game.

Transparency and Communication: Any planned changes in pricing will be communicated clearly and in advance to our community. We believe in maintaining transparency with our players, ensuring that you are informed and comfortable with any pricing decisions.

Value for Early Supporters: Players who join us during the Early Access phase are not just buying a game; they are investing in Terrafort’s potential and contributing to its development. We appreciate this early support, and one of our ways of showing this is by offering the game at a lower price point during Early Access.

Every purchase of Terrafort, whether during Early Access or after, directly contributes to its development and refinement. We're committed to delivering a game that is worth your investment and meets the high standards we’ve set for it.”

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

“In developing Terrafort, we believe that the community's voice is not just valuable – it's essential. We're committed to creating an engaging, collaborative space where players can actively contribute to Terrafort’s development journey. Here’s how we plan to involve you:

Discord Community: Join our dedicated Discord server, a vibrant community hub where you can share your experiences, offer suggestions, report bugs, and engage in real-time discussions with both the developer and fellow players. The Discord server will serve as a direct line for feedback and ideas, and a place for us to share updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Steam Reviews and Discussions: We encourage players to utilize Steam’s review system and discussion boards. Share your thoughts, feedback, and experiences. These platforms are crucial for us to gather insights and understand your perspectives, helping us to align the game’s development with player expectations and desires.

Public Trello Board: Transparency is key, and to that end, we’ll maintain a public Trello board. Here, you’ll be able to track our development progress, see what's being worked on, what’s coming next, and give feedback on features before and after they are implemented.

Every piece of feedback, every suggestion, and every discussion contributes to shaping Terrafort's future. We’re not just building a game; we're crafting an experience that resonates with our players. Your insights and involvement are integral to this process.

Whether through Discord, Steam, or Trello – your voice matters. By joining us on these platforms, you’re not just playing a game; you’re helping to create it. We look forward to your contributions and to building a game that we can all be proud of, together.”