Why Early Access?

“Why Early Access?
Gas & Grind is a game about growth — and we’d love to grow it with you.

We believe Early Access is a great way to involve players in the ongoing development process. Feedback from the community could help shape systems like staff management, dynamic pricing, car repair, and beyond. As a solo developer, I’m building something close to my heart — and Early Access is a way to invite players into that journey.

The demo represents a polished foundation, but we have ideas for how the game might evolve. Early Access gives us a chance to be transparent and collaborative as we explore what's next together.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We estimate that Gas & Grind will remain in Early Access for about 8–12 months. This timeframe may shift depending on feedback and development progress.

During this period, we plan to explore and expand the game’s features — potentially adding more depth through systems like staff management, corporate contracts, smuggling events, and open world exploration. Early Access gives us the flexibility to test and improve these ideas with community input along the way.

Thanks for being part of the journey — your support helps shape what this pit stop could become.

”

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

“We plan for the full version of Gas & Grind to build on the foundation of Early Access by adding more depth, variety, and complexity to the gas station management experience. While development is ongoing and may evolve, we’re exploring a number of systems and features such as:

Expanded Staff Management: Potential systems for hiring, training, and assigning specialized roles to employees — with management elements like morale, salaries, and efficiency.

Dynamic Contracts: We’re experimenting with ideas around business deals, including both high-risk and high-reward options that could influence how your station grows.

Enhanced Customer Interactions: Our goal is to introduce greater variety in customer behaviors, stories, and needs that react to your decisions.

Open World Expansion: We hope to expand the game world, allowing players to explore new areas and unlock opportunities across a broader map.

Advanced Gameplay Systems: Ideas in development include car repair mechanics, smuggling scenarios, law enforcement dynamics, and more layered challenges.

We're also continuing to test ways to balance gameplay, improve the user experience, and introduce more upgrades and customization options for your station. The direction may shift based on feedback, but our goal is to create a management sim that evolves with your choices and keeps every session fresh.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version of Gas & Grind offers a polished and playable foundation for running your own gas station, featuring a complete core gameplay loop. In its current state, players can:

Run a gas station from the ground up — manage fuel, products, and customer needs.

Upgrade and expand your station — unlock new services and equipment to improve your business.

Navigate early business challenges — including resource management, staffing basics, and profit balancing.

Play solo or in co-op multiplayer — team up with friends to manage and grow your station together.

This version is designed to provide a satisfying and replayable experience, while also leaving room for continued development. We’re exploring potential additions such as deeper employee systems, dynamic contracts, open-world expansion, and more layered gameplay events.

While some of these features are still in progress or under experimentation, community feedback will help us decide which ideas are worth developing further. We're continuing to fix bugs, refine mechanics, and add content based on player input.”

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

“We plan to offer Gas & Grind at a lower price during Early Access as a thank you to early supporters. The current price reflects the game's existing features and level of polish.

As development progresses and more content is added, the price may gradually increase by 20-25%. Any price changes will be communicated in advance, so players can be informed. We’re committed to ensuring players always receive great value for their purchase.”

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

“We believe in working closely with our community to shape Gas & Grind into the best version it can be. As an Early Access game, your feedback is essential to help us deliver the features and gameplay you want most.

Here’s how we plan to involve you:

Feedback through Surveys and Polls: We’ll regularly ask for your input on new features, gameplay mechanics, and balance adjustments. Your feedback will help guide us as we prioritize what to work on next.

Bug Reports and Focus Groups: We encourage players to report any bugs, glitches, or performance issues they encounter. You can also participate in focus groups to help test new features, ensuring they’re ready for release.

Community-driven Features: We’ll listen to your suggestions and, when possible, work to incorporate them into the game. This may include new gameplay ideas, mechanics, or content that may not have been part of our original plans.

Exclusive Developer Updates and Discussions: We’ll keep you updated with regular developer diaries, progress reports, and behind-the-scenes content. You’ll get to see how your feedback is influencing the game’s development.

Early Access Benefits: As an Early Access player, you’ll be able to provide feedback on upcoming features, and your suggestions will be considered as we shape the future of the game. Plus, you'll be recognized in the credits as a thank you for your support.

Our goal is to work together with you—the community—to build Gas & Grind into something special. Your voice matters, and we’re excited to collaborate with you to make the game the best it can be!
[DISCORD]”