Why Early Access?

“ecoSYSTEMS simulates a whole planet. Climate, water, soil, forests, towns and their neighbors all feed each other. Early Access gives us the opportunity to develop these systems alongside players and learn which parts of the simulation are the most engaging, understandable, and rewarding.

Community feedback will help us improve balance, performance, and the way the game communicates complex relationships between geography, climate, resources, and civilization. It will also help guide our priorities as we expand the game over the course of early access with a dynamic roadmap and regularly scheduled updates and fixes.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We currently expect ecoSYSTEMS to remain in Early Access for approximately three to four years. This estimate may change as the game develops and we incorporate player feedback. Our priority is to give the major simulation and campaign systems the time they need to become cohesive, understandable, and enjoyable!”

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

“The Early Access version is centered on the foundations of ecoSYSTEMS: creating and saving detailed planets, exploring their twelve-month climate cycles, evaluating habitability, generating campaign regions, and surveying potential settlement sites.

During Early Access, we plan to expand these foundations into a deeper settlement and infrastructure campaign. Our intended additions include more developed construction and economic systems, power and water networks, roads, ports, shipping and logistics, population needs, pollution, seasonal reliability challenges, campaign objectives, and progression.

We also plan to broaden the available content, improve tutorials and accessibility, refine balance and performance, and make the consequences of player decisions clearer. The full version is intended to provide a more complete journey from shaping a planet to building and sustaining a resilient civilization upon it. Specific features and priorities may evolve in response to development and community feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Players can generate, customize, save, and revisit detailed planets shaped by tectonics, terrain, oceans, climate, forests, clouds, and seasonal ice. The Planet Lab includes a twelve-month climate cycle, habitability analysis, visual overlays, presets, photo mode, and a planet library.

Completed planets can be prepared for campaign play by generating geographic regions, candidate settlement sites, resources, hazards, and potential service connections. Players can inspect buildability, survey locations, and evaluate how geography and seasonal conditions may affect future settlements.

Lead a civilization from the Neolithic to the Modern era: farms, forests, fisheries, mines, rail, oil and power; a climate that warms, raises the seas and brings drought and wildfire; and independent neighbors to trade with, ally with or fight. Steam Achievements, Cloud Saves, and Rich Presence integrated.”

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

“We plan to offer ecoSYSTEMS at a lower price during Early Access and increase the price when the game reaches its full release, reflecting the additional systems, content, and polish added throughout development. Any planned price changes will be communicated in advance. Launch discounts will be included.”

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

“Community feedback will help us identify quality-of-life features, prioritize refinements, and evaluate new ideas. While the core vision for ecoSYSTEMS will remain consistent, we want the details of that experience to benefit from players who enjoy exploring complex worlds and discovering how their systems interact. We plan to share regular development updates and gather feedback through Steam Discussions and other official community channels.
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