Early Access Roadmap
We are gearing up to Launch the Early Access Program and I want to prime you on what to expect during this process.
Contents:
- Current Feature Status
- Features To-Do
- Current Content Status
- Content To-Do
- Early Access Update schedule
- Early Access Rewards
- Release and Onwards
- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
- The First Few Weeks of EA
1. Current Feature Status of the Game
: Near Feature-Complete Alpha
The game at this point is nearing feature-completion. This means that you can basically do everything that the game promises, which is to play Single-Player Skirmishes against the AI, Multiplayer Skirmishes, and Single-Player Campaigns. All players have access to every card in the game.
You can also create and edit decks from a current card-count of 158 cards, and you have full access to the Map Editor where you can create your own tabletop skirmishes and campaigns which can be shared on the Workshop using the in-game Workshop browser. You can also paint your miniatures in this release, but at this point in time only a handful of units are fully "primed" for painting.
Only one AI Opponent is in the game: Eager Eddy. Eager Eddy is good at attacking and maneuvering, but refuses to use special skills. Eager Eddy will get some friends soon.
2. Features Still To-Do:
1. Enable Ranked Matchmaking
2. Enable Co-op / 2 v AI and 2v2 PVP
3. Challenges & Achivements, to unlock in-game rewards
4. Add more AI Types
3. Current Content Status of the Game
: About Halfway There
As of this writing there are 158 cards in the Fantasy Play Set, and I plan to more than double that amount before an official release. There are also only a small amount of maps that are built-in to the game and a single campaign to introduce those concepts.
4. Content Remaining
1. Increase Card Count to 350+ playable cards
2. "Prime" all Champions for painting
3. Implement Vanity Item rewards (Unit Bases, Hats, etc)
5. EA Update Schedule
Bug fixes, content, and feature updates will generally happen on Thursdays. Critical-issue hotfixes will go out as soon as the issue is discovered. The content goal is to add a minimum of 5 cards per week and to "prime" 5 existing Champions for painting per week. I am often able to exceed that content goal of 5 cards per week but it really depends on what else is going on around the studio.
You can expect regular balance updates as I take in your feedback. There will be a separate forum for posting feedback and bug reports.
6. EA Rewards
Everyone who supports the Early Access Program will receive a Full Fantasy Play Set upon the game's official and final release down the road, plus some extra Vanity Item swag in the form of some cool and unique unit bases.
7. Release and Onwards
Ultimately we want to have as many people as we can playing the game when it leaves Early Access. To get there we will be considering a wide range of business models depending on player feedback, including selling low- or no-cost versions of the game to help bring new players on board. A strong community is good for everyone.
8. Try before you buy
Today is July 19th, 2017, and I'm preparing to upload the Early Access build to Steam. I am also uploading a Free Demo to Steam that is exactly the same as the EA build except for some limitations on Workshop Integration, and for the fact that Demo Players will not be able to play matches against the EA players.
The Demo will not be receiving regular updates and will not be receiving new content. It's a very comprehensive look at what we're doing here and I encourage you to download it and take it for a spin. Our cards are on the table, so to speak, and I want you to see that this is a quality project we have created. And then, I hope, you will come and join us in the Early Access Community.
9. The First Few Weeks
As we come out the gate into Early Access, the first few weeks will be focused entirely on managing the Damage Reports. At the end of this period I envision myself looking like alternate-Universe Riker where the Borg took over the Federation; tattered uniform, unkempt beard, flaming consoles. But with your help, this Enterprise will hold together. You should expect to find bugs, and when you do find them, give me a Damage Report! I'll dispatch my team of highly-trained engineers to recalibrate the dilithium matrix.
Alright, I'm writing a book here.
Wish me Luck.