[h2]
Hello, Pioneers! [/h2][h3]It feels a bit crazy to say, but we're just
one week from launch... so it's time to talk about a few important topics![/h3][p]Before we do though, if you've not played the
AETHUS Demo yet... Why not?![/p][p]I've pushed a full patch and a ton of hotfixes for the demo in the last couple of days, so if you tried it and had any issues, now's a good chance to give it a second shot![/p][p]
Your progress will carry over seamlessly to the full game, so get started on your adventure and pick up where you left off at launch on March 6th![/p][p]
![]()
[/p][h3]If you enjoyed your time with the demo,
the biggest thing you can do to help ahead of launch is to leave a positive review! 💖 Thank you![/h3][p][/p]
Launch Pricing
[p]
AETHUS will be available on Steam at a special discounted launch price of
$15.99 / £13.20 / €15.99![/p][p]
In addition, if you're already the owner of one of the games mentioned in the Bundles section further down, you'll get an additional 10% discount on the game![/p][p]
After two weeks, the discount will end and the game will be available at the regular price of
$19.99 / £16.50 / €19.99.[/p][p]
AETHUS is a fully complete, v1.0 game with no Early Access, so you're getting a
finished experience with
30+ hours of content all in one go, with no microtransactions or other nonsense.[/p][p]
I hope you feel that this price is good value for money, especially in these tough economic times.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]
Note - I have adjusted prices in certain regions to make sure that they're fairer than Steam's default values as I am aware that there's often a disparity in affordability in these regions and I want to make sure the game is affordable for all. If you notice the price in your region seems excessive, please get in touch and I can look into it![/p][p]
Final Tip - There won't be a discount beyond 20% for the first year of release so if you're keen, you may as well get stuck in at launch![/p][p][/p]
Launch Time
[p]The game will launch worldwide on
March 6th at 4PM GMT / 5PM UTC / 8AM PST / 11AM EST.[/p][p]
Click here to see the time of launch in your own local time![/p][p][/p]
Game Editions
[p]The game will be available both in its standard form or in the form of a
Supporter's Edition which comes with two extras
(that can also be purchased separately!)[/p][p]The
Supporter's Edition will also give you an
extra 10% off the total price of these extras together compared to purchasing separately. They are...[/p]
Optional Extras
[h3]
Supporter's Pack[/h3][p]If you'd like to further support me to be able to create more games after
AETHUS or feel that you've received more value than expected, you might like to purchase the
Supporter's Pack, available for
$4.99 or local equivalent.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
![]()
[/p][p]The pack provides a new
Gold Visual Customization for Maeve and Roland in-game, as well as a
Gold Outpost Theme to use to decorate your habitats and facilities.
There is no gameplay benefit to anything in the Supporter's Pack, it's merely a way to chuck a few extra quid my way if you want to, and it's
very much appreciated.[/p][p][/p][h3]
Original Soundtrack[/h3][p]
AETHUS features
17 original music tracks, composed by the very talented
Madison James Smith.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
![]()
[/p][p]If you'd like to support the game further and get a copy of the soundtrack for yourself in the process, you can purchase this pack for
$4.99 or local equivalent.[/p][p]
50% of the profit from sales of the Soundtrack goes directly to the composer, Madison, as a thank you for his amazing work on the game![/p][p][/p]
Bundles
[p]I am partnering with three awesome games to give you the option of even more survival adventures by purchasing both them and
AETHUS at the same time, at a discount![/p][p]
As a bonus, if you already own one of these games, the bundle will simply get you an extra 10% off AETHUS, on top of the launch discount![/p][p]Big thanks to the developers of these great games for supporting the launch of the game.[/p][h3]Forever Skies[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Eden Crafters[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Astrometica[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]
Frequently Asked Questions
[h3]
Q: Why are you releasing straight to 1.0 and not doing Early Access?[/h3][p]A: This is a great question! The
biggest reason is that because the
story and narrative are so core to the game,
it just wouldn't be a good experience. No-one wants to start playing, get really into the story and gameplay, and then suddenly you just... can't play any more?
That won't happen here![/p][p]Plus... we're all
just a little bored of Early Access now, right? I wanted to do something different and provide a complete experience with a proper beginning, middle, and end.
A full and wholesome adventure that you can devour at your own pace, with no artificial blockers or 'this bit isn't done yet'.[/p][p]Now, all of this
doesn't mean there is zero chance of bugs occurring, that tweaks to balancing won't happen, or that I won't even add more new content!
It just means the game is a full, rounded and complete experience.[/p][p]
Some people have said that I'm making a commercial mistake doing a full 1.0 launch and I should have just done Early Access like everyone else, but it's genuinely more important to me that you get to play the whole game at once and
experience Maeve and Roland's story as I truly intended.[/p][p][/p][h3]
Q: Does that mean the game is going to be full of bugs?[/h3][p]A: I sure hope not!
Seriously though, the game has been played through
a lot by a whole bunch of amazing playtesters (and by me!) who have helped shape and form it into what I feel is
a really nice, polished experience. [/p][p]Of course there's always the chance for some rough edges (show me a game that launches
entirely bug free!) but
I'll be working as quickly as I can to fix up anything that needs it after launch.[/p][p][/p][h3]
Q: Is there Gamepad/Controller support?[/h3][p]A: As the game is very mouse-heavy, I wanted to do a proper custom interaction scheme for gamepad that
isn't just a half-assed 'support' that's a worse experience than playing with M+KB.[/p][p]
Unfortunately, there just wasn't time before release to do it proper justice.
It's a top priority after launch, and I ask that if you want to play the game this way, you
Follow and Wishlist on Steam and you'll see the news in future when support is added for a good, solid experience![/p][p][/p][h3]
Q: What are your post-launch plans?[/h3][p]A: Honestly, that depends how things go! I'm a self-funded solodev, with no publisher, and honestly,
I've put everything I have into this game! My genuine hope and belief is that it will resonate with players and allow me to keep doing this! We'll find out soon, I suppose :D[/p][p]
If you can help spread the word about the game,
leave a positive review after launch, and maybe even pick up the Supporter's Pack, you'll be
greatly increasing the chance of me being able to keep going - whether it's on new AETHUS content, DLC, a sequel, or new games![/p][p]
All that said, AETHUS is a 'complete' experience as described earlier - don't expect additional story content or anything, this is a full, finished narrative![/p][p]
What I can pretty much guarantee is that I'll be doing:[/p]
- [p]Any required bug fixes and balancing.[/p]
- [p]Controller/Gamepad Support and attempting to get Steam Deck Verification.[/p]
- [p]Localization of game text (including dialogue) into several languages.[/p]
[p][/p][h3]
Q: Can I stream the game on launch? Is there a streamer mode for music?[/h3][p]A: Absolutely, please do! I'd love to see what you create, so drop by the Discord and drop a link to your channel when you're streaming! [/p][p]
There is no need for a streamer mode as the game features a fully original soundtrack, so no need to worry there![/p][p][/p][h3]
Q: What is the extent of automation in the game?[/h3][p]A: This isn't a factory building game, so there aren't any belts or conveyors![/p][p]As you explore the world you'll be able to restore equipment (as well as build your own!) which will allow you to automate resource generation -
pretty much all the progression-based resources in the game are automate-able.[/p][p]You can also craft cargo drones which will
deliver those automated resources to your Outpost, with specially build Cargo Bays of varying sizes![/p][p][/p][h3]
Q: I have a question you didn't answer![/h3][p]A: Feel free to add a comment below, or join the Discord and chat with me directly![/p][p][/p]
Thank you!
[p]It's the end of a very long journey for me, but I honestly can't wait to get this game into your hands.[/p][p]Not long to wait now, folks. Hope you're excited. I certainly am![/p][p]See you underground,[/p][p]
-Alex and Apollo[/p]