Why Early Access?

“American Revolution Smuggler is not finished in terms of story and gameplay content. The campaign already runs from start (Spring) to end (Winter): you can trade, smuggle, box dockworkers for courage, get rugpulled by the Dutch tulip market, and romance your way to the credits today. But the heart of this game is the cast of dateable colonial state-chans, and only six of at least ten planned routes exist at the first stage of Early Access. Early Access means the next year of development happens in the open. Players help decide on which state-chan gets her route next. I'd rather build the second half with the community than guess alone which colony deserves love.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“About a year of active development. The milestone for leaving Early Access is at least ten romance routes. I won't promise a date I can't keep.”

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

“Nearly double the romance content, and more trouble between ports. Six routes today; at least ten planned for 1.0, arriving in major updates with character popularity picking who's next. Also planned: more random events, another rival merchant captain for the trade-minded, and an explorable dungeon for the combat-minded. Ideas are cooking beyond that (deeper crew antics, a jail you can box your way through or bribe your way out of), but those are ideas, not promises. The roadmap on this page shows the planned order.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“About half of the planned content is in. The campaign is fully playable from Spring to Winter, and everything in the About This Game section is in and working: the 13+ ports, the war economy that closes harbors and spikes prices, dice-based combat, factions, mini-games, plus six completable romance routes (Loyalist-chan, Patriot-chan, Louisiana-chan, and three others). Raising your social stats from "fleabitten sailor" to "dashing seafaring gentleman" is very much required. Not in yet: the other half of the roster and everything listed above. Expect rough edges and shifting balance while the game grows. There's a free demo on this page. Inspect the cargo before you buy.”

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

“I plan to raise the price when the game leaves Early Access, since it should hold substantially more content by then. Buying during Early Access means buying low. It's a merchant game. You see where this is going.”

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

“This game is unfinished enough that players can genuinely bend its direction. The roster is a ballot: character popularity, measured through polls and arguments on the Steam Community Hub and my socials, is a major factor in which state-chan gets each new route, starting with the very next one. Feedback on the economy, events, and combat lands while those systems are still soft enough to reshape. I post development updates regularly and read everything; the Steam forums, the 9th Exodus Discord, and our socials are the fastest routes to me. Campaign for your favorite colony. No taxation without representation. Rule the waves. Your vote counts here. ”