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?

“I plan to launch in Early Access in January 2027 and aim to release the full version in June 2027. This would mean roughly five months in Early Access. 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, with an Early Access launch planned for January 2027. The current development build includes exploring ARUS Valley on foot and by rover, constructing and connecting colony buildings, managing power, water and oxygen supplies, research and missions. Single-player and online co-op for up to four players are implemented. Content, balancing, usability and performance are still being refined. Before the Early Access launch, I will update this description to reflect the available content.”

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

“I have not yet decided whether the price will change during Early Access or when the full version launches. Once my pricing plans are settled, I will explain them on this page and announce any changes 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.”