Why Early Access?

“As a solo developer it would be very difficult to provide as much to the game without feedback. The intention behind this game is to take feedback while keeping the vision and state as handcrafted and personal as possible. Early Access allows development to continue in the open, with regular updates informed by real player behavior and feedback rather than assumptions made in isolation. ”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“ It is planned that Escalate will be receiving regular updates for the next 2-3 years. The exact duration will depend on player feedback and the time needed to fully polish and balance the game’s systems.”

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

“I plan to add an alloy system that will provide new stats for equipment, new enemies and bosses to fight. As well as additional progression systems such as levels, talents, gem sockets, and much more that will require time and community feedback to provide the best experience. By full release I hope to increase the variety and amount building assets as well as the assets in total as well as having a polished state with mod support, allowing the community to continue expanding and experimenting with the game long after official updates conclude. With that being said each implementation is intended to be intentional and guided through player feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Currently the Simulations are only at the beginning "zone" with 3 areas to explore. There are plans for multiple zones and feature unlocks through completing challenges with areas that will unlock key features and new ways to play the game. This is the intention of how progression will be established for future features. The Early Access version includes eight novel core skills and three progression systems, which are unlocked through gameplay after a boss encounter.”

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

“Yes. The Early Access version is planned to be offered at a lower price to reflect its in-development state. ”

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

“Discord will serve as the primary hub for community involvement. Players can discuss the game, provide feedback, and participate in polls to help guide decisions on balance, progression, and feature updates. Player feedback gathered through these channels will directly influence ongoing development and future updates throughout Early Access. Community posts will also be shared on the store page to keep the wider community informed. ”