Why Early Access?

“I made this game for myself and my kids. I wanted a chill fishing game with progression that just felt good to play! I am still actively developing this game, and ideally this is a game that is shaped by feedback, so I want to continue developing the game with feedback from you all!”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I expect Deep Hook to be in Early Access for approximately 3–6 months. That timeline may shift depending on the scope of community feedback and the features I decide to add, but I want to be transparent: I won't rush a 1.0 just to hit a deadline.”

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

“The full release will add more fish species, at least one additional biome, expanded bounty and quest content, more gear options, and deeper character customization. We also plan to improve accessibility options and add controller support. ”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Deep Hook is fully playable from start to finish. The core gameplay loop is: travel to a zone, choose your rod and bait, use the cast meter to land a Perfect Cast, wait for a bite, then work the reel minigame to land your fish. Each fish species has distinct behavior in the minigame. Caught fish are sold for gold, which unlocks better gear, access to new zones, and aquarium upgrades.

All five biomes are accessible: Sunny Pond, Rocky River, Crystal Lake, Open Ocean, and the Abyssal Deep, each with their own fish species, atmosphere, and progression requirements. The complete gear system is in (7 rods, 5 baits), the fishing minigame is feature-complete with archetype-based fish behavior, and the full quality/trophy system is implemented. You can discover all 50 species, complete bounties, fill your aquarium, collect zone-exclusive hats, and earn all 15 Steam achievements. For the full feature list, please refer to the "About This Game" section above; everything described there is in the game right now. Early Access funds continued development and lets community feedback shape what comes next.”

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

“I am not planning on changing the price.”

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

“Community feedback will directly shape what gets added to Deep Hook. I will be active in the Steam discussion boards and reading every review. specific requests for new fish species, zones, mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements will be tracked and prioritized based on what players actually want! If a lot of people ask for the same thing, it moves up the list. I'll post development updates in the Steam news feed to keep players informed of what's coming and to share early looks at new content before it ships.”