Why Early Access?

“We believe that the best cozy games are created together with the community. The core gameplay loop of the game (resource mining, cave collapse risk, saving upgrades between runs, and interaction with the first NPCs) is already fully implemented, stable, and enjoyable.
However, the genre of incremental games with roguelite elements requires fine-tuning. Early Access will allow us to work with you to refine the economy balance, narrative pacing, and biome difficulty. Your feedback on which mechanics (such as passive income or the fortune teller's predictions) bring the most joy, and which cause frustration, will help us make the final version of the game truly harmonious, deep, and touching.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We plan to be in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months.
This timeline is not rigid and may change depending on two factors: the volume and nature of constructive feedback we receive from the community, and the speed of implementing planned content (new biomes, story twists, and mechanics). We won't rush the full release until we're confident the game meets our high standards of quality, coziness, and story completion.”

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

“What's already available in Early Access:
Fully functional basic gameplay loop (mine, lose ore on collapse, save upgrades, grow stronger).
The first 3–4 unique biomes with their specific resources and hazards (boulders, stalactites, geysers).
Basic camp development system and the first key NPCs unlocking initial mechanics (such as passive income from the miner friend).
The beginning of the storyline about growing up and the first steps toward uniting peoples.
What will be added by full release:
Story completion: The full narrative arc showing the hero's journey from a daring youth to an experienced master who united the continent.
World scale: The remaining biomes (there will be over 9 in total), including snow-covered peaks and icy plateaus, each with their own unique visual styles, traps, and resources.
Mechanics depth: Expanded NPC system (musician with buffs, fortune teller, engineer with steam mechanisms, advanced logistics with mine carts).
Balance and polish: Deep rework of economy, progression, and difficulty based on your feedback.
Atmosphere: Final polish of visual effects, animations, and a complete, dynamic soundtrack that changes along with the camp and biomes.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current version features a fully functional and polished core gameplay loop. You can already mine ore, upgrade your tools, survive cave-ins, and develop your camp. The game includes the first 3–4 biomes with their unique hazards (boulders, geysers), a basic passive income system, and initial story encounters with NPCs. We have also implemented a stable save system and a user-friendly menu.
However, later biomes, expanded NPC interaction mechanics (such as the fortune teller or engineer), and the final narrative arcs are still in active development. These sections may contain temporary placeholder assets or require further balancing.”

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

“Yes, we plan a slight price increase upon the game's full release. This is a standard and fair practice that allows us to thank Early Access players for their support, patience, and valuable contributions to the project during its most crucial development stages. Buying the game now is the best way to get it at the lowest possible price. Additionally, we will definitely run a launch discount when the full version is released to welcome new players.”

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

“The community is our main co-creator. We plan to involve players through several channels:
Regular Devlogs: Honest development diaries on Steam and our Discord server, detailing our progress and plans for the upcoming month.
Polls and Voting: We will ask for your opinion on key balancing questions (e.g., "Are cave-ins too harsh?" or "Which tool should we add next?").
Active Feedback: We read and respond to reviews in Steam Discussions daily. For convenience, we have created dedicated threads for bug reports and suggestions for new mechanics.
Beta Branches: Our most active players will get access to hidden Steam beta branches to evaluate new biomes and mechanics first-hand before the official patch.”