Why Early Access?

“EndlessRain is a co-op game, and co-op balance is the one thing I cannot finish on my own.

I have built and tested the entire game, but a solo developer playing with a handful of friends only ever sees a narrow slice of how four people actually behave together. How long a night should last. Whether one Engineer can realistically support three Gunners. Which cards get taken every single run, and which ones nobody ever picks. Those answers come from a lot of people playing, not from me guessing at a desk.

I also want the game to grow in the direction players actually want. I am one person, and I would rather build what the people playing it ask for than spend months on something I assumed they wanted.
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Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I plan to be in Early Access for roughly 6 to 12 months.

The core game is already complete and can be played from beginning to end, so this time is meant for balancing, adding content, and responding to feedback rather than for building missing systems. If players want more time for additional content, I would rather extend that window than leave Early Access early.
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How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The core loop, the 30 night campaign, and 4 player online co-op are already in place, and their structure is not going to change. What I plan to add during Early Access is breadth.

I plan to add at least one more playable role. A Medic is currently in design, intended to sit between the Gunner and the Engineer as a support position.

I plan to add a second environment beyond the starting meadow, with its own monsters and its own hazards.

I plan to expand the monster roster, the boss encounters, and the run card pool, with priority given to whatever players find thin during Early Access.

I plan to keep adjusting balance throughout, especially the balance between the two roles and the difficulty curve of the later nights.

None of these are promises. They are what I intend to build, and the order will likely shift based on what players ask for.
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What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“EndlessRain is fully playable from beginning to end right now.

The complete 30 night campaign is in and can be won. Both roles, the Gunner and the Engineer, are finished. Combat, building, resource gathering, and repair all work. There are 20 monster types and multiple boss encounters. There are 23 run cards, permanent upgrades that carry between runs, and unlocks tied to your records. Online co-op for up to 4 players through Steam is implemented and has been tested on separate machines over the internet. The game is fully translated into English, Korean, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.

What is not finished is polish and breadth. The soundtrack and sound effects are still being filled in. Lighting and visual effects are still being improved. There is one environment, and balance across all 30 nights has been tested by a small group rather than by many players.

This is a complete game that needs players, not an unfinished game that needs time.
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Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Yes. I plan to raise the price when the game leaves Early Access.

The Early Access price reflects the amount of content available today. As I add roles, environments, and content over the course of Early Access, the price will go up to match. Players who support the game early will always have paid less than players who buy the finished version.
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How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Players can reach me directly, because there is nobody else for a report to be routed to.

I plan to run a public Discord server where I read bug reports and suggestions myself, and I plan to use the Steam community forums for the same purpose. I also plan to post regular development updates explaining what I am working on and why.

Balance in particular will be driven by what I hear from players. When I change something significant, I plan to explain the reasoning in the patch notes rather than quietly adjusting numbers and hoping nobody notices.
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