Why Early Access?

“Hi, I’m Rockwell. I just moved to Scratchtail Hollow, bought myself some land, and discovered that keeping critters out of my cooler is harder than it looks. The good news? You can help.

We’re going Early Access because my game is still growing — new animals keep sneaking in from the forest, new friends will show up to help me guard dinner, and new gadgets keep showing up from my friends in town. My human and I want YOU to test these things with us, tell us what works (and what stinks like my breath), and shape the way the nights unfold.

Right now, we can defend the cooler, collect treats, and upgrade our defenses together. But the forest is only just waking up. By joining Early Access, you get to see the yard change, and you can leave your paw-print on what Rockwell’s Night Watch becomes”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I’m planning to keep watch through at least a year of nights before calling it done. That means one full in-game calendar year adding new animals, friends, upgrades, and story chapters.

If things go smoothly (and my cooler doesn’t get raided too often), Early Access could wrap up in about 12–18 months. But if the community has big ideas or we find more critters hiding in the woods, I’ll stay out here a little longer.

The goal is simple: make sure Rockwell’s Night Watch feels like a complete adventure — not just a demo — by the time it leaves Early Access”

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

“In Early Access, you’ll be playing my Story Mode. I just moved to town, set up my cooler, and every night I’m learning how to keep the critters from stealing my dinner. As development continues, I’m hoping to meet more animals, see a few friends join the watch, and discover new gadgets in the stores.

For the full release, we’re hoping to add a Continuous Play mode — no breaks, just you helping me in my yard, guarding the cooler for as long as we can hold out. When we need supplies, we will use our iPawd to order food, upgrades, and defenses, with deliveries dropped in by drone.

And don’t worry — there’s no strict “Game Over.” If I lose all my hearts, I just go home, hang with my dad, and rest up. When I come back the following year, I keep all the equipment and upgrades I’ve earned. The goal is to make each new watch a little stronger than the last.

Just remember that we want your input to make this as fun for the community as possible.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Right now, Scratchtail Hollow and my yard are up and running — you can already play through the first 25 nights of cooler defense, chase off critters, and keep my dinner safe. Here’s what I can do today:

- Unleash my Legendary Howl — it stuns everything in earshot, giving me a precious moment to catch my breath.

- Defend the cooler with my starter CDS3000™ (Cooler Defense System). It’s clunky but it shoots, and you can upgrade it over time.

- Chase and growl at mice and chipmunks to scare them back into the woods.

- Collect treats from pests I've scared away and spend them in town on food, upgrades, and clothing.

- Visit shops — Huckle’s Grocery, Winnie's Wardrobe and Smokey’s Hardware are open, with more stores coming later. We will even have a Community Center where I can take classes to learn valuable life skills that improve my abilities.

- Lose and recover — if the cooler runs dry, I don’t disappear. I just lose a little courage, rest, and try again the next night. if I lose all of my courage (represented as hearts) I just go home and spend time with Dad then start again next year, but with all my current equipment and skills.

Save and continue — your progress sticks, so you don’t have to start fresh each session.

It’s already playable, and you can get through 25 nights with upgrades and challenges stacking up. But keep in mind: there are only a few enemy types, a couple of stores, and the early chapters of my story so far. That’s what Early Access is about — helping me grow this forest into a bigger, stranger place to watch over.”

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

“My human at RockIQ expects the price to increase once Early Access ends, since the full version should include more content and polish. If you join me on the Watch early, you’ll be getting in at a lower price than the final release. We will keep you updated as we know more.”

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

“I can guard the cooler, but I can’t build this whole game alone. That’s where you come in. By joining Early Access, you’re not just playing — you’re helping shape how my nights unfold.

We’re planning to share updates often and listen to your feedback on everything from balance (too many mice? not enough?) to new features (maybe you’ve got an idea for a defense, a friend, or even a new enemy hiding in the woods).

I’ll be watching the Community Hub, taking notes, and passing your ideas along to my human. Together we’ll decide what makes the cut. Early Access is our chance to grow this world with you — paw by paw, treat by treat. ”