Why Early Access?

“ARUS-1 is a one-person project, developed by me as a solo developer. The game combines exploration, survival and building a Mars colony in single-player and online co-op. I want to develop these systems together with the players. Early Access helps me use feedback on gameplay, usability, balancing, co-op and performance to guide further development.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“The Early Access launch is planned for 2027, after Steam Next Fest in February 2027. I aim to release the full version about six months after the Early Access launch. This is my current plan, not a guaranteed release date. The schedule may change based on development progress, testing and community feedback.”

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

“For the full version, I plan to expand exploration, colony progression and the story, while refining existing systems. Other priorities include single-player and co-op stability, performance, usability and balancing. Feedback during Early Access will also help me decide which additions to prioritise.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“ARUS-1 is still in development; the Early Access launch is planned for 2027. The current development build includes exploring ARUS Valley on foot and by rover, building and connecting colony buildings, managing power, water and oxygen, as well as research and missions. Single-player and online co-op for up to four players are implemented. A playable demo is planned for Steam Next Fest in February 2027. Content, balancing, usability and performance are still being refined. I will update this information to reflect the available scope before the Early Access launch.”

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

“I currently plan to keep the price unchanged during Early Access. The full version of ARUS-1 will cost more than the Early Access version. The lower Early Access price is my way of thanking players who support this one-person project during development and help improve the game with their feedback. If my pricing plans change, I will announce that in advance.”

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

“I plan to collect feedback, bug reports and suggestions through the Steam discussions. Reports about co-op sessions, performance on different hardware and building larger colonies will be particularly useful. This feedback will help shape my priorities. I plan to share changes and development progress through Steam update posts.”