Why Early Access?

“Red Soil is a complex survival horror game built on modular systems — from stamina, hydration, and fatigue to crafting, missions, and terrain generation. These systems are deeply interconnected, and balancing them for both challenge and fairness requires real-world feedback from a diverse player base.

As a solo developer, I’ve spent years refining Red Soil in isolation — designing, testing, and iterating every system to create a grounded, punishing survival experience. Early Access gives me the opportunity to open that process up, working directly with players to fine-tune mechanics, improve pacing, and expand the game’s depth. Your input will help shape Red Soil into the brutal, rewarding experience it’s meant to be.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I expect Red Soil to remain in Early Access for roughly 12–18 months. As a solo developer, my focus during this period is on balancing systems, refining mechanics, and incorporating community feedback to strengthen the core survival experience.”

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

“I plan for the full version of Red Soil to include refined end-game content, improved balance across survival systems, and mechanics polished through community feedback. Early Access is focused on testing and tuning — my goal is to shape a more cohesive experience with expanded mission chains, better pacing, and deeper progression.
The scope of future development will depend on the size and engagement of the community, with ongoing improvements to the core survival experience at the heart of my plans. As players highlight what works and what needs adjustment, Red Soil is expected to evolve into a more challenging, rewarding survival game.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Red Soil is fully playable and offers several hours of survival content, including a tutorial mission and multiple randomly generated maps built from handcrafted sets. The core systems — stamina, hydration, hunger, fatigue, crafting, and progression — are functional and interconnected. I’ve developed the tools and architecture to scale the game further without needing major technical development — what remains is the creative effort of art, design, and balance. As a solo developer, I’ve tested the game extensively to ensure stability and minimize bugs, and I’m looking forward to seeing it stress-tested by players who will interact with its systems in ways I could never anticipate. Early Access is the perfect space for that kind of discovery — and for shaping the game through real-world play.”

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

“Red Soil will launch with an initial 30–50% discount for Early Access. The final price may vary depending on how much scope is added based on community feedback. As a solo developer, I’m committed to making the game stable, balanced, and bug-free — and I’m open to expanding its content in technical non-technical areas like missions and UI design. The Early Access price reflects the current experience, and any future adjustments will be based on the value added through collaboration with players.

System Requirements will be updated as game features are added/refined and on advice from community.”

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

“Community involvement is essential to Red Soil’s development. As a solo developer, I’ve built a game I’m proud of — but I won’t truly know its strengths and weaknesses until players get their hands on it. I’m inviting the community to help refine Red Soil through feedback, bug reports, balance suggestions, and creative ideas. Whether it’s tuning survival mechanics, improving mission flow, or expanding content, your input will directly shape the game’s evolution.
Players can share feedback through the Steam Community forums, or reach me directly via business email at redsoil@bentongaming.com. I also post updates and welcome comments on Instagram @bentongaming. If the community grows significantly, I plan to develop a dedicated website to centralize updates and resources.”