early access
Latest
Line of Defense targets September 16th for early access
Line of Defense is just a few short days from beginning its early access program, which will begin on Tuesday, September 16th. Fans of the game can go ahead and buy their way into it with one of three early access packages. However, from now until the 16th, the early access packs are half-off on Steam. So instead of costing between $40 and $100, they currently range from $20 to $50 for this limited time. What will Line of Defense's early access content look like? It will mostly be sight-seeing, as we understand it. According to a dev post on Steam, players will be able to check out the Heatwave starbase and poke around a nearby orbiting Starguard carrier. "Since this is a world testing build, no weapons, vehicles, aircrafts, inventory items, etc. are player usable. You will be able to explore both of these massive areas and carry out various actions," the early access FAQ states.
PvP sandbox Life is Feudal hits Steam early access next week
Life is Feudal is one of several indie sandbox MMOs striving to become this generation's Ultima Online, and next week, you can actually play it... if you fork over a few bucks for early access, that is. The game unlocks on Steam on September 19th; existing alpha players will be able to claim their early alpha keys on Steam and partake in the smaller-scale, non-MMO test version of the game. Billing itself as a realistic medieval sandbox, Life is Feudal includes city construction and invasion, a freeform character building system, a single seamless world, terraforming, farming, crafting skills like cooking and alchemy, and full open PvP with looting. The developers maintain a document explaining how the game is similar to and different from other MMOs with such features, however. The game failed to reach its Indiegogo goals last year.
DayZ Producer: 'You are playing development builds'
DayZ is a title in early access. That means that buying the game now will give you access to the full game when it goes live as well as the development versions along the way. Producer Brian Hicks recently took to the game's official forums to respond to player feedback by stating this rather bluntly: "You are not playing DayZ. You are playing development builds." Hicks went on to explain that the game's current development pace is entirely normal for a large project, with the main difference being that most of these early builds are not seen by the public at large. Players who are displeased by the earlier builds are encouraged to step back and check in again when release is closer, as the later beta versions or the release client will be far closer to the finished experience. Whether or not you've been enjoying the game, it's a useful look at the development process and what it can mean to be playing on early access.
Endless Legend exits Steam Early Access on September 18
Endless Legend will exit Early Access and launch in full on Steam on September 18, Iceberg Interactive announced. The 4X strategy game entered its alpha phase on the PC distribution platform in April, receiving new factions, "fully functional" multiplayer and other updates in July. The game's soundtrack is also available at a name-your-price rate on Bandcamp, courtesy of Game Audio Factory. Endless Legend is currently 10 percent off ($31.49) while still in its beta state. Buying in to the Founder Pack ($40.49) grants players some assorted bonus goods, including half-off Steam coupons for Amplitude Studios' Endless Space and Endless Space Disharmony. One of the developer's other games, Dungeon of the Endless, was among a list of games confirmed for Xbox One at Gamescom last month. Come to think of it, we're pretty sure there's a pattern to Amplitude Studios' recent naming conventions. [Image: Iceberg Interactive]
The Repopulation rolls out open-world housing and tournaments
The Repopulation is looking back over its updates through the month of August and letting fans and backers alike know how the game is developing. The biggest addition was the rollout of open world housing in PvE regions; the team has changed how plots are placed to allow players more freedom in choosing locations. City plots will see a similar restructuring for contested regions. More people than before will get to try these changes, as well; the price for early access to the game has been dropped to $100 and all of the Round 1 backers should be invited to the game's test by the coming weekend. Player-created tournaments were also rolled out for testing; while the final version will be available in player-run cities, the current implementation is in a testing instance. The minigame system got its basic implementation, and of course there was the usual array of tweaks, balance changes, and bugfixes. Check out the full update for all of the details if you're watching the game from afar with eager eyes.
Early Access game The Stomping Land pulled from Steam
Early Access multiplayer survival game The Stomping Land has been pulled from Steam after a month-long period of silence from its developers and no sign of promised updates. Priced at $24.99 when it was available, The Stomping Land challenged players to survive in a harsh island wilderness under constant threat of attacks from roaming dinosaurs. After announcing a shift to Unreal Engine 4, The Stomping Land creator SuperCrit issued no further updates or commentary regarding the game's development status, leading more than 3,000 players to petition for refunds. Steam's Subscriber Agreement notes that Valve is under no obligation to refund its customers for Early Access game purchases, and refund requests from The Stomping Land players have been denied. The Stomping Land earned over $100,000 in Kickstarter pledges following a successful funding campaign last year, and recent backer comments indicate that physical reward orders remain unfulfilled. [Image: SuperCrit]
Pathfinder Online delays early enrollment to September 22nd
If you're looking forward to early enrollment in Pathfinder Online, you're going to have to wait a week longer; the early enrollment period is being nudged back a week to a September 22nd start date. Why the delay? In short, the last alpha test wound up missing some important features and made it very clear that the features that were implemented still needed some work. Fixes are being worked on, and a few quick solutions are suggested for players participating in the alpha process. Some features are also having their release dates altered; companies, for example, are now due for implementation after early enrollment begins. Terrain features are also going to have a staggered rollout, with a third ready at the start of early enrollment and the remainder coming later. Take a look at the full update for more detailed explanation of what's coming and when for both testers and fans.
Joystiq Weekly: Amazon buys Twitch, Madden 15 review, Early Access feature and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. PAX Prime 2014 is already underway, but as fun as joining a swarm of people buzzing around video game displays can be, you don't even have to leave the house to get this weekend's highlights. Well, unless your house is a black hole for Internet and phone reception ... The point is, Joystiq is on the front lines of PAX Prime, ignoring sensible limitations to bring you a slew of news and previews. With this morning's proof that survival in numbers is a relative concept in Don't Starve Together and a reminder that thinking every MOBA is interchangeable is a mistake when it comes to Gigantic, the good stuff is already underway. There's always yesterday's reveal of Xbox One and PS4 versions of Saints Row 4 too, as well as a new, standalone expansion called Saints Row: Gat out of Hell. Stick with us until PAX Prime's conclusion on Monday, September 1, and in return we'll tell you all about the show's highlights without subjecting you to the dreaded PAX Pox. For now though, we've got a full recap of this week's news, reviews and features. Amazon's surprise acquisition of Twitch, Nintendo's new 3DS models, reviews of Madden NFL 15 and The Walking Dead's season finale, an examination of what makes Early Access such a valuable space to developers ... it's all arranged neat and orderly-like for you after the break!
Interstellar Marines uses the buddy system, gets co-op in September
Interstellar Marines has sold over 100,000 copies since it launched in July 2013 on Steam Early Access, developer Zero Point Software announced this week. The sci-fi game has generated "more than $1.5 million in revenue" for the studio. Still in "heavy development," the tactical FPS will also receive an update on September 18 that adds cooperative multiplayer to the game. Zero Point Software first revealed Interstellar Marines in 2006, and the game received multiple "it's still alive" reassurances over the years. Players can pick up the game on PC, Mac or Linux via Steam for $18.99, which grants access to both the Early Access version of the game and its upcoming expansions and updates, such as the "Project Co-Op" one scheduled for next month. The developer will showcase its spacey shooter at PAX Prime in Seattle this weekend at Alienware's booth (#1246). [Image: Zero Point Software]
Feature: Early Access, as told by the devs that live there
"Early Access" has become a four-letter word. Tales of alleged scams, abandoned or canceled projects and unfinished games being sold at retail have many questioning the service's validity and usefulness as a tool for empowering developers. Customers are increasingly concerned about quality assurance and Steam becoming a hot mess of unnavigable menus drowning users in content. In light of this, Joystiq reached out to developers with varying histories regarding Early Access to find out more. Meet Jamie Cheng, Chris Simpson and Ryan Clark, your tour guides behind the scenes of Early Access indie development. Join us as these three developers share their thoughts on what has caused the downward spiral of public perception surrounding Early Access, what can be done about it, and what future – if any – the program has.
The Long Dark's Early Access sandbox opens September 22
It can be fun to wonder whether you could survive being stranded in the wilderness using solely your wits, but actually testing that theory isn't particularly advisable. The Long Dark is probably a safer way to get your answer, and developer Hinterland Studio has announced Early Access patrons can scavenge for supplies in its Sandbox mode on September 22, with access already available to beta members. Though The Long Dark's episodic Story Mode will follow William Mackenzie's post-plane crash exploration, Sandbox Mode is what you're likely thinking: a do-what-you-want fight for survival in The Long Dark's take on northern wilderness. Hinterland estimates survivors will get "dozens of hours" out of learning how to fend for themselves in the unforgiving cold. Hinterland launched a Kickstarter for The Long Dark in September 2013, scavenging $256,217 CAD ($248,000) from the land, as well as the talents of Jennifer Hale and David Hayter. According to a FAQ, The Long Dark's full release is due to make contact "later in 2014." [Image: Hinterland Studio]
Musical puzzler Sentris brings the funk to Early Access
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, developer Timbre Interactive has released Sentris to Steam Early Access. Equal parts rhythm game and puzzler, Sentris sees players aligning musical components on a series of rotating disks. Line up the notes and beats properly and you've completed a puzzle, but you may also have inadvertently created a tune. On the other hand, if you'd prefer to focus entirely on crafting new songs, Sentris allows for that too (just don't expect your musical chops to unlock any of the later puzzles). Those who pick up the Early Access version of Sentris before August 29 will receive a 10 percent discount on the game, which reduces its standard $20 price to $18. As with all Early Access games, Sentris is still in development and may still feature crippling bugs, missing content and all the other problems you'd expect from a game that's not complete. If you buy in to Early Access and encounter issues, don't say we didn't warn you. [Image: Timbre Interactive]
The Golf Club climbs into a tiny cart, departs Early Access
To coincide with its Xbox One debut earlier this week, HB Studios' picturesque golfing simulation The Golf Club has just exited Steam's Early Access program. Now available on Steam at $35, The Golf Club offers players a spartan simulation complemented by a wealth of gameplay options, including online multiplayer, impromptu tournament creation and a fully-featured course editor. The Golf Club lacks extraneous bits such as a tutorial or any useful guide to learning the game's unique swing mechanics, but that falls in line with The Golf Club's aim of being a golfing simulation aimed not at gamers, but at those who consider themselves both gamers and golfers. Alongside its Early Access exit, The Golf Club has been updated with a handful of new features including female golfers, additional objects and wildlife for the course editor and improved graphics. Full details on the final release version of The Golf Club can be found on Steam. [Image: HB Studios]
The good and bad of early access from Arma 3 dev
Arma 3 was one of the first games to launch on Steam's Early Access program, releasing day-one with the service in March 2013, though the game had already been out in alpha form for a few weeks. For developer Bohemia Interactive, making something in the public eye, with most of its bugs and secrets on display, was a double-edged sword. Early access – on Steam and in general – allowed Bohemia to interact with its community, but the service altered the standard expectations of a new launch, turning a hype bubble into a months-long drizzle. Bohemia Interactive Creative Director Jay Crowe described the dark and light sides of early access development during a panel at GDC Europe. The following offers a lineup of Crowe's observations about the way early access affected Arma 3's classic development and launch cycles.
Arena shooter Minimum's Early Access price minimized
Updates are to be expected when a game is on Early Access, but patches that also halve a game's price are a little more rare. The latest addition to Minimum, Atari and Prey developer Human Head's third-person arena shooter, is among those rarities, dropping the price of Minimum's Early Access admission from $19.99 to $9.99. Those that have already enlisted as blocky, gun-wielding soldiers on Minimum's minimalistic battlefields still have something to enjoy from the update: Path of Lanterns supplies a new zone to sprint through in the 5 vs. 5, assist-your-team's-base-stomping-robot Titan Mode, with Zen Garden serving as a fresh Team Deathmatch locale. The update expands Minimum's arsenal, too: Proximity mines and sticky grenades can now be set or lobbed to thwart opponents. It's a given that sticky grenades cling to anything your accuracy allows, but Minimum weapon designer TJ notes "your teammates" as a possible host for proxy mines, so don't limit your placement strategies to immobile objects. If you'd rather hone your technique before wildly hurling explosives, the update also adds AI bots, which are just as capable of crafting armor and gathering powerups as human players. [Image: Atari]
It's dangerous to Shadowrun Online alone, take a friend
Shadowrun Online, the successfully-Kickstarted game set in the magic-meets-cyberpunk world of Shadowrun (no, not that one), has been updated to include two-player cooperative gameplay and character customization. So now when you blast that cyborg Ork, you can do so with a friend and look good doing it. If those sound like features you'd expect to be in the game at release, well ... the game hasn't actually launched yet; not fully, anyway. Shadowrun Online is in Early Access, and was only made available via Steam's service earlier this year. The recent patch to the game changes plenty of other features in the game as well, such as a user interface overhaul and fatigue system. You can check out the full list of changes on the Shadowrun Online website. [Image: Cliffhanger Productions]
Olé! The Matador joins the battle of Secret Ponchos
Listen up, pilgrim: arena battle game Secret Ponchos has received a new update this week, introducing a new character, a new map and new mode in which to obliterate your enemies, Old West-style. The Matador is Secret Ponchos' fifth playable character, and uses a combination of her saber and cape to dizzy and confuse foes before slicing and dicing them like hunks of steak. She and the other outlaws of the game can go toe-to-toe in the newly-introduced free-for-all Deathmatch mode, or join up with three other friends in 4v4 Domination. If you're getting bored of the scenery, you can also check out The Ranch, a new map set in the remains of a burned-out homestead. To celebrate, developer Switchblade Monkeys has not only marked the Early Access title down to $8.99 - 40 percent cheaper than it's usual $14.99 - until August 19, but has also made it so that customers who purchase Secret Ponchos during that time will receive a second Steam code to share with a friend. Or enemy! Your choice. [Image: Switchblade Monkeys]
Eerie trailer welcomes Crawl to Steam Early Access
Having survived a brief delay, Powerhoof's Crawl arrives on Steam Early Access alongside the most melodramatic trailer you'll see today. In keeping with its title, Crawl is a multiplayer dungeon crawl that casts one player as the heroic human and the others as ghosts inhabiting the depths. As per standard dungeon ghost protocol, the living are viewed as anathema, so the spirits do everything in their power (which includes summoning beasts and setting off traps) to snuff out the aforementioned hero. Once a ghost kills a human, the ghost then becomes human, allowing the former victim a shot at wrecking the world of the living. With up to four players occupying a single dungeon, you can see how this would get hectic very quickly. Those interested in taking Crawl for a spin can grab the Early Access release for $10. Like all Early Access games Crawl is not yet a finished product, so don't be surprised if you find a few bugs. [Image: Powerhoof]
Pathfinder early access starts September 15, cash shop structures revealed
GoblinWorks has posted some "major announcements" on its Pathfinder Online website. They include the start date for early enrollment (September 15th) as well as tweaks to early enrollment packages and a new Explorer Access package. Gameplay-wise, the firm has unveiled premium cash shop items, which it says "are not going to be mechanically superior to player-character crafted items." Two of the items will regenerate power, though, so it's worth reading the full explanation if you're concerned about potential monetization intrusions in your fantasy sandbox. Finally, GoblinWorks talks up Pathfinder's individual player structures, which are also available via the cash shop. Base camps serve as adventure-sustaining settlements when you're far from home, and they remain active for five days once deployed. Once they despawn, they're on a 15-day cooldown. They're priced at $50. Smallholdings are also available and feature "a substantial amount of local storage" for $200.
The Daily Grind: Do you (still) pre-order MMOs?
As we reported yesterday, Activision says that pre-orders are declining across the game industry. Here in MMOland, pre-orders are still kind of a thing, but they're also being supplemented/supplanted by early access sales. What about you, personally, though? Do you (still) pre-order MMOs, whether for the in-game goodies or just out of general excitement? Why or why not? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
