Why Early Access?

“As game developers, we have accurate estimates of the game's development progress and a very clear understanding of our development goals: to achieve depth and playability comparable to other historical simulation strategy games. To achieve this goal, the game's technical framework is largely complete, and all core functions are ready. Of course, improvements are still needed in user interface and art optimization.
Furthermore, we are continuously adding a significant amount of story content to the game, which will consume a considerable amount of time and effort. Fortunately, we already have a complete, playable basic story script, providing a rich gaming experience for early access players.
We will also incorporate player feedback to optimize and adjust the game design, including refining the story script and creating more engaging new stories—both a way of giving back to early access players and a gift to them.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“As game developers, our game development and release plan is as follows:
Late February 2026: Release a playable demo version.
Mid-March 2026: Release an Early Access version.
Late April 2026: Complete optimization and updates to all underlying game code.
Late May 2026: Complete and refine the core storyline.
June-July 2026: Write the game's story script. During this period, the game's playability will be significantly improved.
August 2026: Optimize and adjust the game's user interface and art style.
September-October 2026: Refine and polish game details based on feedback from Early Access players, and add some new features.
November 2026: Design and implement the game's achievement system based on the core storyline.
December 2026: Final bug fixes and overall game optimization.
By the end of January 2027: Redesign and optimize the game's opening animation and music.
January 30, 2027 (Saturday): Officially end the Early Access phase and release the full version of the game.”

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

“We plan to optimize and improve various aspects of the game:
1. We plan to enhance the accuracy of historical data reproduction. This includes precise recreation and historical verification of character portraits, clothing, hairstyles, accessories, speech patterns, and vocabulary.
2. We plan to improve the game's playability. Based on suggestions from early access players, we will prioritize implementing suggestions that best suit the game system.
3. We plan to selectively consider suggestions and even criticisms from the game community, and actively interact with players, listening to their opinions and suggestions. However, I will reserve the final decision-making power regarding game design suggestions involving adult themes.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The game's development is progressing smoothly. Early access players can experience the following:
1. A very complete system of Ming Dynasty central government agencies, including the appointment and qualification requirements for important officials.
2. A very complete system of the Ming Dynasty imperial family, including the investiture and promotion of empresses and concubines, and the upbringing of the emperor's children.
3. A very complete and detailed design of the Chinese imperial examination system, even beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, especially the final palace examination stage.
4. A very complete Ming Dynasty oversight mechanism, including mutual supervision among multiple checks and balances and an anti-corruption punishment system.
5. In each game round, players will encounter various officials, especially the "imperial edicts" that require immediate processing and approval. These "imperial edicts" are the most important interactive mechanism driving the entire Ming Dynasty's operation. All core functions are connected through "imperial edicts" and have practical effects in the game.
6. The inner court also has corresponding attendants whose coordination requires the emperor's personal involvement, which is a major highlight of the game. After all, those close to the emperor need not only loyalty but also integrity and self-discipline.
7. The game also includes our original economic reform system, which blends elements of modern and contemporary financial systems with fictional elements. It showcases the development and evolution of the economic system through logically consistent, gradual reforms.
8. The game's economic system includes a complete Ming Dynasty trade system, realistically reflecting the economic cycle of the Ming Dynasty. We have completed the corresponding functional design, and it runs perfectly without any major bugs.
9. The game also employs a unique "delayed remote real-time tactical command system," simulating how the emperor, as the supreme ruler of the country, remotely commands frontline generals hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away through "edicts."
10. The game uses a "theater" system designed to provide players with an immersive experience of Ming Dynasty life, including NPC interactions and plot development. This system is not presented through animated CG, but through our meticulously designed script.

In addition, there are many other carefully designed details in the game, but due to space limitations, we cannot introduce them all here.”

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

“Regarding pricing for the Early Access phase, our principles are as follows:
1. We will offer Early Access players the greatest possible price advantage. The price of this game will not exceed the price level of similar Early Access games.
2. We plan to gradually increase the price as game features and content are added. However, the magnitude of price increases will be strictly controlled.”

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

“Regarding community interaction and player feedback collection during Early Access, our thoughts are as follows:
1. Due to the extremely limited size of our development team, we cannot establish communication channels across multiple platforms like other large game development teams. We will rely entirely on the Steam community to collect constructive suggestions and feedback from players.
2. We plan to review and respond to suggestions from Early Access players every other day. This will ensure we receive player feedback promptly without spending excessive time interacting on the Steam community forums, thus avoiding impacting the game's normal development schedule.
3. For global players, we will use various tools to translate their requests. Currently, we have only released a Chinese version of the game, so there may be relatively few players using other languages. We will carefully consider the opinions of players from various countries and appropriately localize the game so that players worldwide can experience the game's meticulous design and dedication.”