Why Early Access?

“Special Note: We encourage those who are uncertain to try out the Demo first. It offers the same experience as the Early Access version up until the end of Act 1. Please be aware that the Early Access version does have known issues, but rest assured, we are diligently working to rectify them. We wholeheartedly invite you to join us on this unique journey as we progressively improve Alterium Shift. For any feedback or bug reports, please visit our Discord server. Your support means the world to us. Thank you!
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Alterium Shift is entering Early Access for several reasons. At the forefront, we aim to provide our community with a robust gameplay experience that extends beyond a simple demo. We're also enthusiastic about receiving and implementing player feedback, helping us to refine and polish the game's mechanics, world, and story.

However, there's another layer to our decision to launch Early Access. As a passionate two-person team, we've dedicated countless hours to making Alterium Shift the best game it can be, and we've reached a point where additional funding can profoundly enhance the depth and scope of our game. We view Early Access as a partnership opportunity with our community - not only does it offer players an early look at the game, but it also provides us with the means to further realize our vision for Alterium Shift.

Instead of launching a Kickstarter and diverting time and energy away from development, we've chosen to focus on the game itself. In this way, Early Access becomes our Kickstarter of sorts, offering immediate value to our supporters. We see it as a win-win: players enjoy the early access to Alterium Shift, and we gain the ability to continue enriching and expanding it to match our ultimate vision.

Let's be clear, this is not a plea for charity. Rather, it's an invitation to join us on this journey. Your support helps us bring the world of Alterium Shift to life, and we're excited about what we can achieve together.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“The game is expected to be in Early Access until the end of 2023, possibly extending into 2024 due to factors like localization and platform porting. Alterium Shift is currently about 50% complete and we plan on providing regular updates throughout the Early Access period.”

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

“The full version of Alterium Shift will boast a number of enhancements over the Early Access release. These include configurable user controls, walkable world maps, a bestiary, additional screen settings (such as CRT effects), battle enhancements, and additional user-friendly features and gameplay improvements. During the Early Access period, we also plan to deliver regular updates on game content, with the goal of making approximately 75% of the total game content available.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current Early Access version is about 50% complete and offers a stable, enjoyable experience thanks to rigorous testing and refinement. While we anticipate some adjustments to the game's story and dialogue to improve flow and player interactions, these will not be game-breaking changes. Our objective is to maintain stability as we add and refine content, with a similar approach to the one we're employing for this initial launch.”

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

“The price of Alterium Shift will remain the same throughout the Early Access period. However, we plan to increase the price upon the full release to reflect the complete content of the game. We also plan to participate in Steam's discount events as they occur.”

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

“As we embark on this journey of creating Alterium Shift, we see our community not merely as players, but as partners in shaping this nostalgic Retro-style RPG. Your thoughts, your feedback, your experiences - they all matter deeply to us and play an integral part in guiding the evolution of our game.

We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant, collaborative community across multiple platforms, including Twitter, Discord, and the Steam community forums. We are committed to regular, transparent updates and maintaining an open dialogue that encourages all forms of feedback and ideas.

We believe that every voice matters. Although we have a clear vision for Alterium Shift, we are constantly amazed at the insightful and innovative ideas from our community. Even if we can't incorporate every suggestion, every idea enriches our understanding of what our game can be and helps shape our ongoing development.

Our partnership with the community extends to the very core of our game. From improving dialogue flow and interactions to refining mechanics, your experiences directly contribute to the development process. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the RPG genre or a newcomer drawn by the allure of a Retro-style RPG, your involvement is key to making Alterium Shift the best game it can be.

In essence, our community is our development partner - together, we'll ensure Alterium Shift becomes a game we can all be proud of.”