Heads-Up: Patrons-Only Early Access Preparations (Patreon)

This is going to be boring, sorry, but please read anyway!

Hey, hey!

Not sure if it's technically "early access" or a "closed beta", or whatever, but I'm trying to make it work!

After all, the game is now in a state where I think it's pretty playable and already at least somewhat representative of what it's going to be, at release...

So, what now?

There's a few things that need to happen, here. The most important ones are...

• I need to set up a Discord server, so we can collect bug reports, questions and feedback, all in one place
• I need to figure out how to send out Steam keys, and to whom

The Discord Server

I'm currently in the process of getting a Discord server set up. I have absolutely no experience with running a server, so chances are things might be a bit rought, at the start, heh. Please bear with me!

Once the server stands and is ready to go, I will activate Patreon's Discord integration to invite all of you to the server!

(If I don't make another post, beforehand, don't be surprised when you suddenly end up in some random "Pawperty Damage" server, on Discord!)

Who wants to join testing?

Now. Why even ask this question, right, haha? Everyone's excited to finally try the game, I'm sure!

For starters, it's only going to be Unity Capsule tier patrons, for now: If you can read this, you're included!

On top of that, here is what else is to consider...

1) The game is not going to be finished yet

Things will be obviously still missing, or buggy. Which means you may not have an optimal experience, with the game... Which might be disappointing! So if you want to get the best experience, you might prefer to wait.

2) I'll hand out Steam keys, individually

Okay, this point is a bit silly... but I only have a limited number of keys, to give out. I can get more Steam keys, no problem, but if everyone requests a key, at once, some of you will have to wait a couple of days before I get a new batch. So it's going to be first come, first serve; but no worries, there'll be enough for everyone!

But what that does mean, is that I will need a show of hands: For this purpose, I'll try to set up a channel in the Discord server... And if that doesn't work, everyone will have to DM me, one by one, heh. We're going to work this out!

3) Testing is optional

Once I have figured out all of that (and if you so wish), you will receive a Steam key to access the pre-release version of the game: From that point forward, you can play the game!

Then, I would be very happy to hear feedback, receive bug reports, and so on. But I'm not going to force you, either, of course... All of that is work, after all.

If all you want to do is give the game a try, that's fine too; enjoy!

4) Cancelling your membership will revoke your Steam key

Or at least, I think it will. I mean, not automatically; I'd actually have to go in and manually revoke the key for anyone who cancels their subscription... which is a bit of a hassle, honestly.

But the logic behind this is this: If you cancel your subscription, Patreon's Discord integration will automatically remove you from the discord server (or at least revoke the role you need to access the beta testing part of the server). And if someone is not part of the "beta test" (even if it's optional to participate) there'd be no reason for them to have access to the pre-release version.

Does that make sense? Not sure... Might figure this one out as we go and change my mind, honestly. What this means from my side, for now, I guess: While I'm not forcing you to actively participate in testing, please only opt-in if you are planning to stick around!

Rest assured: At release I still plan to gift everyone who has contributed a Steam key, regardless of whether or not they are currently subscribed.

5) Please keep it a bit secret, heh

So, there's two parts to this!

The obvious: The pre-release version is not public, and as such I ask you not to show it around, too much. I will detail the rules and instructions more closely, in the discord!

The not so obvious: Please don't go telling this around, just yet! For now, I want to keep the number of players/testers low, just to see how things go: Which means I'm not actually looking to double my number of patrons by announcing "patron-only early access," haha.

Questions?

I appologize for the rambling. If you have any questions regarding any of this, please let me know!

As for the exact date when things get rolling... As always, I can't help with an exact date, but: Hopefully this week, still!

If things don't work out as planned, I might have to postpone all of this until after NordicFuzzCon. But let's hope everything goes smooth!