Why Early Access?

“The core combat, deckbuilding, general synergies, and roguelike progression of TIANMING: Three Kingdoms are already in place. Early Access allows us to gradually introduce more chapters, scenarios, and faction routes while using real player feedback to improve card balance, campaign pacing, usability, save stability, and both Chinese and English localization. It gives players an opportunity to take part in the game’s development while helping us thoroughly validate the long-term experience before the full release”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We expect Early Access to last approximately 12 months. During this period, we plan to gradually introduce Romance Mode, additional scenarios, and more playable routes while continuing to improve balance, performance, localization, and save compatibility. The schedule may change based on development progress and player feedback. We will release the full version once the campaign reaches the Battle of Red Cliffs and meets our quality and stability standards.”

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

“The Early Access version will initially feature the complete Story Mode, following Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei through three consecutive chapters: the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo’s Entry into Luoyang, and the Battle of Hulao Pass.
The planned full version will add Romance Mode, featuring five scenarios: Rise of Chaos, Warlords Ascendant, The Central Plains Take Shape, Decisive Battle at Guandu, and Flames of Red Cliffs. It will also include playable routes for Cao Cao, Liu Bei, the Sun clan, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, the Yellow Turbans, Lü Bu, and Dong Zhuo. More enemies, bosses, events, cards, treasures, endings, and alternate-history branches are planned, alongside further improvements to balance, presentation, performance, save compatibility, and Chinese and English localization.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“ The current version includes the tutorial prologue and the first chapter, “The Yellow Turban Rebellion.” Its core combat, deckbuilding, party management, map exploration, normal and elite battles, bosses, events, shops, camps, treasure rooms, rewards, treasures, consumable items, meta progression, and save systems are playable.
The second chapter, “Dong Zhuo Enters Luoyang,” and the third chapter, “The Battle of Hulao Pass,” are still being refined in terms of content, balance, and presentation. The game currently supports Simplified Chinese and English and is designed primarily for single-player keyboard-and-mouse play. Balance, text, performance, and save compatibility issues may still occur during Early Access.”

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

“Yes. As Romance Mode, new scenarios, playable routes, and other content are added throughout Early Access, we plan to moderately increase the price when the full version is released. The final price and timing will depend on the completed scope and will be announced in advance through Steam. Players who purchase the game during Early Access will receive the full version without having to buy it again.”

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

“We plan to gather feedback through Steam Discussions, player suggestions, bug reports, and balance surveys, with particular attention to card and general balance, campaign pacing, usability, performance, localization, and save stability. Major updates will include patch notes covering new content, fixes, known issues, and save compatibility.
Player feedback will help us prioritize improvements, while the game’s core direction and final scope will remain guided by the development team.”