Why Early Access?

“After 4 years of solo development, SongVisualizer has reached a playable Alpha state with 44 screens, real-time pitch detection, and comprehensive practice features. Early Access allows me to involve the guitar learning community directly in shaping the final product. As the database schema and core systems are still evolving, community feedback will help prioritize features, identify issues across different hardware configurations, and ensure the software meets the needs of real guitarists. This collaborative approach will result in a better learning tool for everyone.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I estimate that SongVisualizer will be in Early Access for approximately 3 to 5 years. As a solo developer working on this project part-time alongside my full-time job, development progresses steadily but at a measured pace - it took 4 years to reach the current Early Access state. This extended timeline will allow me to properly resolve bugs, implement planned features, and ensure full functionality across different operating systems and hardware configurations. The exact timeline may adjust based on community feedback and development progress.”

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

“I plan to expand beyond the current Alpha state by polishing existing features to production quality and elaborating on systems that are currently functional but basic. This includes deeper progress analysis tools, expanded song content, and more polished features throughout the application. I'm also working on improving cross-platform stability and performance optimization. While the Early Access version is fully playable, I aim to transform it from a working prototype into a refined, comprehensive guitar learning tool. The exact scope will evolve based on community feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Version 1.9X Alpha is fully playable with a complete guitar learning system featuring real-time pitch detection and 44 functional screens. The software includes tools for practicing difficult sections at adjustable tempos and a Career Mode with progression through world cities and venues. Players can load any Guitar Pro 5 files to practice with and track their performance through detailed analytics. The software supports multi-user profiles with separate progress tracking, runs at 60 FPS with GPU acceleration, and works with any audio interface or can be used in visualization-only mode without guitar input. While fully functional, some areas need refinement: the database structure may still change before final release, Career Mode's endgame progression needs additional content, and various UI elements require final polish. The core learning and practice systems are stable and actively used.”

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

“Yes, the price will increase when I release the full version to reflect the additional content, features, and polish added during development. Early Access supporters are getting the best value by purchasing during development and helping shape the game with their feedback. Any future DLC or expansion content will be separate purchases, but all core features and updates during Early Access are included in your purchase.”

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

“Community involvement will be central to development. I plan to provide regular development updates and roadmap discussions, allowing players to see what's being worked on and what's coming next. Bug reports will be prioritized based on how many players they affect, and I'll implement a feature request system where the community can vote on what they'd like to see added next. Beta branches will be available for testing major updates before they go live, and I'll maintain direct communication through Steam forums and potentially Discord for real-time feedback. The community will be essential for playtesting new features and testing hardware compatibility across different systems. As a solo developer who has shaped this software through extensive personal playtesting over 3.5 years, I'm excited to expand my perspective with input from the wider guitar learning community. Your feedback will directly influence how SongVisualizer evolves - from UI improvements to new practice modes to Career Mode content. I'm committed to building this together with the players who support the project during Early Access.”