Why Early Access?

“Isekapsule is playable from the first step to the last boss, but it is far from finished, and the biggest change still ahead is how it looks: the visuals are not final, and much of the character, monster and interface art will be replaced with finished pixel art during Early Access. Three of the nine reincarnations we’ve designed are still to be made, the GG machine’s pool of marbles is set to grow, and there’s no guided tutorial yet. We want players in now because what we build next should follow how people actually play: in an autobattler, the builds players find decide the balance, the ranked ladder only works once real players’ parties are on it, and what players tell us will decide which reincarnations and marbles we make first.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Around a year, with regular updates throughout. The order of those updates will follow player feedback.”

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

“Final art throughout: finished pixel art for the characters, monsters and screens in place of today’s stand-ins, with animated fighters (idle, attack, spell and knockout). Nine reincarnations instead of six, each with its own tree shape, marbles and body. More marbles in the GG machine. A guided tutorial for a first run. Passive reach reworked so rarer marbles trade reach for power. An Italian version, with run titles written for Italian rather than translated. And balance and the ranked ladder tuned from real players’ builds and matches.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The whole run is playable: five adventures with rival parties and bosses, six reincarnations, 130 marbles, the GG machine, the guild with adventurers to hire, quests, items and events. Online play is in: your party is left at each step for other players to meet, and a ranked ladder tracks everyone’s rating. Expect rough edges: the visuals are not final, so many characters, monsters and screens use stand-in art and the fighters aren’t animated yet. The game is in English only, and there’s no guided tutorial yet (a How to Play page covers the basics).”

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

“We plan to raise the price when Isekapsule leaves Early Access, as the remaining reincarnations, marbles and features arrive. Everyone who buys during Early Access gets every update and the full release at no extra cost.”

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

“Through the Steam discussions, which the game points players to the first time it starts. We read what players write there, explain every update in patch notes, base balance changes on the builds and matches players share, and ask the community which reincarnations and features they want next.”