Why Early Access?

“We’re launching in Early Access to involve the community in the continued development of Ultimate Drone Simulator. Player feedback will help us refine our advanced H.E.L.I.O.S. flight simulation technology, improve performance, expand features, and introduce additional realistic environments as we work toward full release.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We anticipate remaining in Early Access for approximately 12–24 months, although this timeline may evolve based on development progress and community feedback. Our priority is to continually improve the H.E.L.I.O.S. flight experience, expand available content, and ensure a polished, high-quality simulator before transitioning to full release.”

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

“The full version of Ultimate Drone Simulator is planned to build upon the advanced H.E.L.I.O.S. flight simulation technology already at the heart of the experience.

Our development goals include expanding our collection of premium, highly detailed environments, introducing additional features and customization options, refining flight physics and controls, and continuing to improve performance, visual quality, and overall immersion.

We also plan to explore additional drone capabilities and enhancements based on community feedback.

Our long-term vision is to deliver a comprehensive, realistic drone flight experience that combines sophisticated simulation technology with the freedom to explore breathtaking environments, whether you're a first-time pilot, an experienced operator, or simply someone who enjoys flying.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Ultimate Drone Simulator is built around H.E.L.I.O.S. (Hover Emulation Leveraging Integrated Orientation Systems), an advanced drone flight simulation system featuring physically grounded flight behavior, responsive controls, and simulated aerodynamic forces.

What is the current state of the Early Access version?
Ultimate Drone Simulator is currently in active development, with its initial Early Access release focused on delivering a substantial, playable drone flight simulation experience.

The Early Access version is designed around realistic flight physics, accessible controls, detailed environments, and freedom of exploration. Rather than focusing primarily on competitive racing, players will be able to develop their piloting skills, experiment with different flight behaviors, and explore a variety of locations at their own pace.

The Current Playable Version includes:

- 20+ Explorable Environments: A collection of detailed locations ranging from expansive outdoor landscapes to developed urban areas and more confined indoor environments. Different locations will offer unique scenery, flight paths, obstacles, and opportunities for exploration.

- Two Configurable Drones: Atlas, designed for smooth and stable cinematic flight, and Icarus, designed for responsive, agile, FPV-oriented flying. Each provides a different handling experience.

- Five Flight Modes: Position Hold for assisted, beginner-friendly flying; Angle Mode for balanced maneuverability; Acro Mode for unrestricted manual control; Cine Mode for smoother cinematic movements; and Air Mode for maintaining control through dynamic maneuvers.

- Physics-Based Flight Simulation: Flight behavior built around H.E.L.I.O.S. technology, incorporating motor forces, cascaded PID control systems, simulated aerodynamic resistance, and environmental influences such as wind and gusts.

- First-Person and Multiple Third-Person Camera Perspectives: Drone-focused camera perspectives that allow players to experience flight from the aircraft's viewpoint or from multiple third-person viewing angles, including above, below, and behind the drone, practice precision handling, and explore their surroundings.

- Flight Settings and Interface: On-screen flight information and configurable settings for adjusting the experience to different control preferences and skill levels.

- Sound and Music: Dynamic drone motor audio that responds to flight behavior, alongside in-game music intended to complement exploration and the different environments.

Current Development Focus

Although the core experience is being developed around these systems, Early Access will remain an evolving version of the game. Ongoing work will focus on improving flight handling, environmental integration, performance optimization, interface usability, visual consistency, and overall stability.

Players should expect that some systems may require further refinement and that bugs or compatibility issues may still occur. Feedback during Early Access will help guide improvements as development continues toward the full release.

Our goal is to provide an enjoyable, substantial free-flight experience from the beginning of Early Access while continuing to improve its realism, accessibility, and overall quality.”

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

“We plan to offer Ultimate Drone Simulator at a lower introductory price during Early Access. As development progresses, we anticipate increasing the price to reflect additional content, expanded features, improvements to H.E.L.I.O.S. flight simulation technology, and the overall quality of the experience. Our goal is to reward early supporters while continuing to build a premium drone simulation experience.”

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

“At DeadHills Interactive, we believe the best experiences are shaped through collaboration with the community, not solely by the vision of a single developer. We value player perspectives and want our community to have a meaningful voice in the evolution of Ultimate Drone Simulator.

We plan to actively engage with players through Steam Discussions, development updates, demos, and playtesting.

We especially welcome feedback from experienced drone pilots, beginners, and simulation enthusiasts. Their experiences and suggestions will help guide improvements to H.E.L.I.O.S. flight technology, controls, performance, and future content.

While maintaining our vision for a premium drone simulation experience, we aim to build a community where constructive feedback genuinely influences development priorities and helps shape the future of Ultimate Drone Simulator.”