Why Early Access?

“Hold My Cargo is already a complete single-player game: five planets, three ships, a full career from DECKHAND to LEGEND, THE LAST RUN as a galaxy finale and new galaxies once you escape. What it isn't yet is the whole game we set out to make — a smuggling sim you can play with friends. Online co-op is not in the game yet. It is the first major update. We'd rather put the finished single-player game in your hands now, at a lower price, and build co-op and the rest of the roadmap with the people actually playing it.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“About 12 months. Online co-op for 1–4 players is planned as the first major update in Q1 2027, followed by fleets (CONVOY) and deeper new galaxies, with the full release planned for late 2027. These are plans, not promises: if co-op needs more time to be solid, it gets more time, and we'll tell you why.”

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

“The full version is planned to add:
- online co-op for 1–4 players (first major update): one of you talks to the customs officer while the others move the crates he shouldn't see;
- CONVOY: two or three ships on one landing pad, and customs only inspects one of them;
- deeper new galaxies: galactic goods, event chains and more standing orders;
- co-op minigames (SMALL TALK, SCANNER JAM), the MANIFEST collection and more cargo minigames;
- balance, performance and polish based on your feedback, in all 12 languages.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Fully playable solo from the first crate to escaping the galaxy, and beyond it. You get 5 planets, 3 ships with modules, ranks, licences, 15 signature goods, haulhogs, the FIXER and REPACK bench with 9 crate tags, the tavern with rumours and the HOG HEIST job chain, THE LAST RUN, the CARGO SCOOT and FLATBED vehicles, STANDARD and IRONMAN modes, 33 Steam achievements, controller support and 12 fully translated languages. After your first escape, new galaxies keep the career going.
Not there yet: online co-op (first major update), a polished 32:9 layout, and demo saves don't carry over.”

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

“Yes. The Early Access price reflects what's in the game today: the complete single-player game, with co-op still to come. We plan to gradually raise the price as the game grows, reaching its full price at 1.0. Everyone who buys during Early Access gets every update, including co-op, at no extra cost.”

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

“- Steam forums with Bug Reports and Suggestions boards; in the game press F10 to save a screenshot for your report.
- Our Discord (#bug-reports, #suggestions, and #lfg-co-op to find a crew when co-op lands).
- A public beta branch before major updates, starting with co-op, so you can break it before everyone else plays it.
- Patch notes for every update and a roadmap update after each major release: what's done, what moved and why.”