Why Early Access?

“Soluna Explorers: Tether – Curse of Slimus is built around interacting systems that benefit greatly from player feedback. Early Access allows the game’s combat flow, ability evolution, item synergies, and faction behaviors to be refined through real player playstyles rather than closed testing. Community input will directly shape balance, pacing, and clarity as additional content and systems are introduced.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“The planned Early Access period is approximately 12–24 months. During this time, development will focus on expanding the game to at least three mechanically distinct exploration maps, along with continued tuning of core systems and progression. Once these maps are complete and the overall experience feels cohesive and stable, the game will be evaluated for a full release.”

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

“The Early Access version focuses on a tightly scoped core experience, featuring a small number of handcrafted exploration areas built to support the game’s combat, abilities, item systems, and faction interactions. This structure allows players to experience the full gameplay loop while providing feedback on pacing, balance, and overall clarity.

The current build represents the foundation of the game’s systems and world structure. Additional areas, connections between regions, and deeper systemic interactions may be explored over time based on development progress and community feedback. Early Access players are purchasing access to the game in its present playable state.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version is fully playable and centered around a complete core gameplay loop, including real-time combat, ability evolution, item synergies, faction interactions, and short exploration runs. The game is stable, optimized for low-end hardware, and designed for relaxed, repeatable sessions.

The current build contains a limited selection of exploration areas, enemies, items, and systems. This smaller scope allows players to experience the core mechanics while providing feedback on combat flow, progression pacing, balance, and overall clarity.

Future updates may expand content, systems, and areas based on player feedback and development progress, but Early Access players are purchasing access to the game in its current playable state.”

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

“Yes. The game will be priced lower during Early Access. As development progresses and additional content and systems are added toward the full release, the price is planned to increase by approximately 50–100% at launch. Early Access pricing is intended to reward early players who help shape the game through feedback and testing.

Early Access also provides an opportunity to explore the balance between casual play and deeper RPG systems before full release. Players who join early will receive the complete game at no additional cost once it leaves Early Access.”

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

“Community involvement is a core part of development throughout Early Access. Player feedback will directly influence feature priorities, balance changes, system tuning, and content direction.

The primary community hubs are Instagram and Discord!

On Instagram, I will post frequent development updates, feature previews, roadmap progress, polls, and design discussions. Players will be able to vote on upcoming features, systems, and content direction. I will also share reward machine codes, event announcements, and behind-the-scenes development posts so players can follow progress week by week.

Discord is the main feedback and discussion channel. Players can:

Report bugs and technical issues

Suggest features and systems

Participate in balance discussions

Join design polls and roadmap voting

Test experimental builds and mechanics

Give direct feedback on combat, progression, and pacing

Major gameplay changes and new systems will be discussed with the community before implementation whenever possible. Development updates will clearly explain what is changing, why it is changing, and which community feedback influenced those decisions.

Highly engaged community members may be recognized in-game through custom items inspired by their contributions. As Soluna Explorers originated as a Kickstarter-funded card game, standout contributors may also be rewarded with personalized hand-drawn cards created by the developer.

Early Access players are not just testers. They actively shape the evolution of the game’s systems, content, and long-term direction.”