I hate to be that guy, but I must know.

[The Former]

I understand in game development, it's risky to make concrete statements on release dates ahead of schedule, but... I really want this game in my hands proper and I'd like to have a decent idea when that might happen.

Can you at least let me know if it's slated for November or December...?

[Palandus]

Even an early access beta would be nice. Afterall, Rimworld was on steam for like 2 years before it released 1.0

[Blorf]

Oh we will definitely have an Early Access phase, likely a fairly long one as I take in suggestions and grow the game. As to when that phase will start, it won't likely be before December.

One limiting factor right now is wishlists. I need a certain number (probably 25k) to achieve critical mass on release, and I an not near enough to that yet. I have to keep pushing the marketing, which I am not an expert at.

I also want to flesh out some of the year 2+ systems more to deal with the neighbor clans.

Then there is also modding where I would like a framework for that available on launch.

[Palandus]

Ok. What about a closed beta? To get further feedback on late-game stuff, without doing an earlier Early Access period? Like I'm in the Trigon: Space Story closed beta, which allows me to test out the full game, and give feedback directly to the developers.

[The Former]

Fair enough. Thanks for the reply!

[Riot Lightbulb]

can you say how close you are to that 25k?

[Blorf]

About 1/3 of the way there now. Next Fest has been great for wish lists, but I expect it to slow down a bit after. I am working on contacting You Tube and Twitch streamers to get the game noticed. Whenever people see it, lots of wishlists come in, but making headway with getting videos made is pretty slow. Eats up time too unfortunately

As for closed beta. At some point closer to the EA release that will likely come on a small scale. The Demo has been wonderful for helping to find issues and the stress test the game. I am inundated with work from it as well so I need to get my head above water with that. There has been a lot of great feedback.

[Palandus]

Have you considered contacting Jim/Stephanie Sterling (I honestly don't know which they prefer, after their transition)? I know they aren't Totalbiscuit, but they do like to review indie games still and in the past they did pre alpha builds... Like for We Happy Few. They might be willing to take a look.

[Blorf]

Interesting! I shall try.

[bflyblue]

Perhaps see if Quill18 would be interested in taking a look? He enjoys similar games on his stream.

[Blorf]

I have tried sending Quill18 and e-mail, but perhaps I will try twitter as an alternative. I think the Quill18 probably gets 30 mails a day. It is definitely worth re-trying.

[bflyblue]

I dropped him a tweet as well :)

[MalusDomestica]

Maybe Resonant would like to check out the game, he showcases lots of historical games.

[Blorf]

Thanks for the leads on Resonant and PrivateLime. I had not tried these. I have tried AmbiguousAmphibian but will try again as well.

SplatterCat actually did a nice video on Clanfolk which I think is how most people have found the game so far outside of Next Fest. It was really helpful indeed!

[Blorf]

Thanks for the suggestion of Mathas Gaming. I will try that as well! I have been trying to find similar channels based on RinWorld lets plays as you mentioned above. I find the response rate is about 10% so I will need to email a few again or try via twitter maybe.

[Blorf]

Oh please do. It is actually very helpful. I kind of do the same thing, fluttering around youtube looking for what it finds as relevant matches for the lets plays, but I am sure that I am missing great swaths of probably interested Streamers. I also am trying to do a bunch of system work before I do another marketing push as I want to make the demo even better before then.