Why Early Access?

“Hexaverse is a continuously evolving project.
Concepts are planned, added, adjusted based on observations, not rarely considered poor and discarded.
Expanding the game has proven to be an unpredictable process that will greatly benefit from a broader player base and greater feedback.
While the basic feature set is acceptable, and the game should be playable, there remains much room for improvement.
The range of potential additions is rather huge, though figuring out which of these options is actually good will be a massive effort.
If you like turn-based semi-futuristic strategy games, you can be part of this.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“A year or two. Depends on many factors that are hard to predict.”

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

“The following features are likely to be included in the full version, however adjustments may occur:

• Non-hardcoded unit types via Lua scripts (limited modding)
  
• Multi-planet games
  
• Scripted, stackable planet features (caves, rivers, canyons, craters, alien structures, ...)
  
• Zone-limited hazards (heat, radiation, fog, ...) and units that can cause/remove such
  
• Full non-random planet and scenario editing
  
• Naturally growing surface resources (e.g. plants, dendrites, ...) and units that can plant/harvest such
  
• Unit hacking
  
• Composite resources
  
• Better liquid simulation

Plans exist in each of these directions, but little implementation work has been done so far.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The following features are implemented and expected to function as intended:

• Server creation, control, and filtered discovery by clients. Servers may be tagged public or private, with or without password. Users are authenticated via Steam tickets. Discovery of public servers may be delayed.
  
• Invitation and joining of friends.
  
• Server-side save games, including preserved player access.
  
• Minimalist internal AI + scripting interface for custom AIs (see AI Development in the documentation).
  
• Configurable random planet generation, and script-based random natural resource distribution. A number of predefined planet types and one resource distribution script are provided.
  
• Tutorial for basic controls, and common base-building operations (via client 'Start local server...').
  
• Visual planet configurator (via client 'Start local server...'). Existing planets may be loaded, and adjusted as needed.
  
• One optional game goal, in addition to the general goal of destroying all hostiles. If some player/alliance is victorious, the game will end and display statistics to any connected client (now or later). A running game may also be ended any time via control console. An ended game is preserved read-only by the server to review statistics until the server is shut down, or tasked to start a new game. An ended game may be saved and restored for later review.
  
• Alliances and in-game chat.
  
• Full individual unit control. Most operations are queued for computation at the end of the current round, and may be undone until executed.
  
• Correct and fair handling of terrain dynamics, research, resource flow, unit prioritization, attack trajectories, terraforming, motion and construction, explosions, unit health and destruction, EMP damage, sensory, and reaction to ground conditions.
  
• EMP Zones: Optional limitation of the accessible planet surface depending on active player count.
  
• Customizable unit attributes and research options (see Server Configuration in the documentation).
  
• Unit sounds, and animation.
  
• Various helper visualizations and features such as natural resource stacks, ghosts, recent attacks, terrain clipping, unit ranges, and planned operations such as routes, construction, and attacks.
  
• Server manager (started as 'Dedicated Server' from Steam), and bug reporter.

”

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

“We plan to gradually raise the price as we ship new content and features.”

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

“Feedback is highly regarded and will lead to game modifications where reasonable.
As script/modding support is extended, published user assets will be made shareable via Steam workshop and other sites.
This will include AI, scenarios, planet types, and possibly unit sets, depending on development progress.”