Why Early Access?

“Don’t Pop!: Splash Race is a physics-based online racing game where movement, obstacle balance, and multiplayer stability are core parts of the experience. The game is already playable, but the physics-based controls, map difficulty, obstacle balance, network stability, UI/UX, and performance still need further refinement in real player environments.

Through Early Access, we want to collect player feedback, improve existing systems, fix bugs, and adjust the overall balance. Depending on development progress, we also plan to review and add additional content such as new maps, obstacles, and quality-of-life features where possible.

Our goal is to release a playable version first, then use community feedback to develop the game into a more stable and polished full release.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We currently plan to keep the game in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months.

During this period, we plan to improve existing systems, fix bugs, adjust balance, improve network stability, optimize performance, improve UI/UX, refine maps, and add new content where possible.

The exact timing of the full release may change depending on development progress and player feedback. We plan to leave Early Access once the core systems are stable enough and the overall content and balance are ready for the full release.”

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

“The full version is planned to provide a more stable and polished experience compared to the Early Access version.

Our current development focus includes improving physics-based controls, adjusting map difficulty and obstacle balance, improving online multiplayer stability, refining lobby and matchmaking flow, improving UI/UX, optimizing performance, and fixing bugs.

Depending on development progress and player feedback, we also plan to refine existing maps and review additional content such as new maps, obstacles, customization items, and quality-of-life features where possible.

The final content of the full version may be adjusted based on development progress and community feedback during Early Access.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current Early Access version is playable and includes the core gameplay experience.

Players can control a fragile water balloon character, race through obstacle courses, and try to reach the goal. The game can be played in single-player for practice and completion attempts, or in online multiplayer with other players.

The current version includes the basic lobby system, online multiplayer, playable maps, main obstacles, result screen, and core UI.

However, as this is an Early Access version, some content, balance, UI/UX, network stability, performance optimization, and bug fixes will continue to be improved over time.”

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

“During Early Access, the price will be based on the current amount of content and the development state of the game.

The price may increase at the time of the full release depending on added content, improved systems, increased stability, and the overall level of polish. If there is a price change, we plan to announce it in advance where possible.”

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

“During Early Access, we plan to review player feedback through the Steam Community, reviews, discussion forums, and announcements.

We will especially focus on feedback related to controls, map difficulty, obstacle balance, online multiplayer stability, bugs, performance issues, and UI/UX.

Collected feedback will be used to help prioritize updates and guide balance changes and system improvements. Major changes will be shared through patch notes and announcements.”