Why Early Access?

“Grind & Dine isn't just a survival game, it's a game where players make their own choices and paths through a variety of classes, emotional interactions with NPCs, a complex emotion and stat system, and repetitive daily routines. Creating such a realistic world, with rich interactions and immersive content, requires a significant amount of work and iterative testing.
However, the project is being developed as a one-man show, and there is only so much time a single person can spend to fully implement all of the content. Especially in a system with so many variables, feedback from actual players is crucial, and I believe it's the basis for balance adjustments and content expansion.
Early Access isn't just about releasing an unfinished game to the public. For me, it's a collaborative journey to make the game more polished, and it's a valuable opportunity to shape the direction with you, the players. Right now, Grind & Dine is built around an early survival loop, a few minigames, and basic NPC interactions, but it will evolve into a dense world with more areas, classes, sub-content, and interconnected NPC lives.
Your feedback will be our compass for the game's growth. We look forward to working with you to create another urban survival story.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We are aiming to release the full version (1.0) of Grind & Dine in Fall 2026.
Until then, we plan to continuously update the game with new content, balance adjustments, and improvements based on player feedback. Our goal is to expand and refine the systems over time, creating a richer and more polished experience.
We also intend to share the development process as transparently as possible. Regular development updates and patch notes will help keep players informed about what's being worked on and what's coming next.
We're committed to building this game together with our community, and we look forward to delivering a complete and meaningful experience at launch.”

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

“The Early Access version focuses on the core gameplay loop — daily survival, basic job activities, mood and stat management, a selection of minigames, and simple interactions with NPCs.
The full version (1.0), planned for release in Fall 2026, will include the following major additions:
[Seasonal and Weather Systems]: Dynamic seasons and weather will influence your environment and day-to-day life.
[More Jobs and Interactions]: A wider variety of part-time jobs and deeper NPC interactions across different areas.
[Quest and Ending System]: Player choices will shape quests and lead to multiple endings.
[Romance and Marriage with NPCs]: Certain NPCs can be romanced and even married, unlocking special events and relationship-based content.
The full release will offer a much richer and more interconnected world, building on the foundation laid during Early Access.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version features the core survival loop, several part-time jobs, mood and stat management, light minigames, and basic interactions with NPCs.
Currently, around half of the planned jobs are implemented, offering players a preview of the variety of work the full game will offer. Some jobs include simple minigame mechanics, and players can talk to NPCs, build relationships, and give gifts.
This version offers a solid introduction to the game’s atmosphere and daily routine, and upcoming updates will gradually expand the number of jobs, locations, interactions, and story content.”

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

“The price of the game may increase when the full version is released, as the game will include more content and refined systems.
However, players who purchase during Early Access will receive the full version at no additional cost once it's released.”

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

“Grind & Dine relies heavily on complex systems and player interactions, and we believe that player feedback is essential to making the game truly fun and polished.
As this is a solo-developed project, community input is not just helpful — it’s vital to the game's growth and direction.
We plan to engage with players through various channels, including Steam Community, Discord, and social media.
All feedback, suggestions, and ideas are welcome, and we’re committed to listening actively and maintaining a close relationship with our community throughout development.”