Why Early Access?

“Calcio 98 already offers a playable football management experience, but we believe community feedback is essential to refine its balance, usability and long-term career progression. Early Access allows us to improve the game together with players, identify issues across different competitions and hardware configurations, and understand which areas of the management experience should receive the most attention.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We currently expect Calcio 98 to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. This estimate may change depending on development progress and community feedback. We intend to release regular updates, with urgent hotfixes when necessary.”

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

“During Early Access, we intend to improve the match simulation, artificial intelligence, competition balance, transfer market, club finances, training, user interface and long-term career progression.
We also intend to continue experimenting with the 3D match experience currently available as a separate preview. Community feedback will help us decide how this feature should evolve and how it may eventually fit into the main career experience.
The full version is intended to provide a more polished, balanced and stable experience, with improved usability and broader gameplay depth. These plans may evolve during development and should not be considered promises of specific future features.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current version includes a playable single-player football management career beginning with the 1998/99 season. Players can manage tactics, line-ups, transfers, contracts, loans, training, finances and club decisions while progressing through complete seasons.
The game world currently includes 18 leagues and 14 cup competitions, with promotions, relegations, qualifications and progression into subsequent seasons. Matches are handled through the main simulation engine, allowing players to follow events and make substitutions and tactical changes.
The Early Access version also includes an experimental 3D match preview accessible separately from the main menu. It is not currently integrated into the management career and is included to collect player feedback.
Calcio 98 currently supports single-player gameplay on Windows using mouse and keyboard, with local save slots and Steam Cloud support. Online multiplayer, controller support, Steam achievements and officially declared Steam Deck compatibility are not currently included.
Bugs, balance issues and incomplete areas may still be present. Updates made during Early Access may also require players to begin a new career, as save compatibility between versions cannot always be guaranteed.”

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

“We intend to keep the Early Access price stable during the initial development period. We may gradually increase the price as substantial new content, features and improvements are added, or when the game leaves Early Access. Any price change will be communicated in advance.”

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

“We intend to involve the community through the Steam forums, in-game bug reporting and regular development updates. Players will be encouraged to share feedback about competition balance, transfers, finances, tactics, usability, long-term careers and the experimental 3D match preview.
We plan to review reports and suggestions regularly, publish information about important changes and use community feedback to help prioritize fixes and improvements. While not every suggestion can be implemented, feedback will be an important part of the development process.”