Big changes in ☵ HIRAETH game - Demo and Early Access coming!

[p]Here, on the game's website, updates and announcements are sporadic. However, playtest participants have a separate Steamcommunity where they appear with each update ☵ HIRAETH game Steam Playtest. I encourage everyone to join Playtest, these are the last days. Recently, the playtest has been completely free, it does not require my approval. As usual, I strongly encourage you and your friends to add ☵ HIRAETH to your Steam wishlist.[/p][p]This is of great importance for promoting the game and not wasting its potential! The game will be released in Early Access after reaching a minimum of 10,000 wishlists, which is necessary for its proper visibility at the time of premiere. Proper promotion, recognition and success will provide me with the opportunity to develop and refine it as planned. [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]Some statistics[/h2][p]Work on the game has been ongoing since August 2023. The project is currently in the pre-Early Access stage, which is not a bad result for a game this extensive and created by practically one person.[/p][p]A modest but playable closed playtest was launched on December 7, 2023, and since June last year it has been available to the public, after acceptance - for a few days now, as I mentioned, it has been completely free.[/p][h3]Playtest Participants and Wishlists[/h3][p]Up until May of this year, around 1400 players participated in the playtest from the beginning and the game had around 1500 wishlists. Currently, over 3000 players participate in the playtest and the game has over 4300 wishlists.[/p][p]This is a great acceleration and motivates me to work even more![/p][p]
[/p][h3]Changes in the Playtest version only in the last half year[/h3][p]Work on the game is most often visible in the playtest, although I do not include everything because not everything requires testing. Significant changes in the last half a year:[/p]

• [p]dynamic weather system, also with an impact on gameplay;[/p]
• [p]mature save load system;[/p]
• [p]creatures - the ability to defend and hunt;[/p]
• [p]chargers: oxygen tanks, batteries and a water filler;[/p]
• [p]new weapons with degradation and repair functions;[/p]
• [p]complete change of inventory management, now using drag and drop;[/p]
• [p]player armor;[/p]
• [p]different types of stoves;[/p]
• [p]the ability to swim and dive![/p]

[p]This is only a short and incomplete list of what's new.[/p][p]The open Steam Playtest of the game will soon come to an end in its current form. Recently, there has been a lot of (for a single-player game) participation, which is great and very helpful for the development of the game.[/p][p]The Playtest will soon turn into a beta test, which will be accessible only to active and regularly reporting testers ☵ HIRAETH and supporters of the project on Patreon, Buymeacoffee and PayPal. The playtest itself in its current form will disappear when the game demo is released.

The playtest as it stands now will likely be closed at the beginning of July, with the release of the Demo.[/p][p]The game's Demo should appear in July. It will be a development demo, showing more or less the state of the game in the Early Access version and will be updated on an ongoing basis. A separate demo will appear for the later version of the full game.[/p][p][/p][h2]Demo limitations and differences from the game[/h2]

• [p]language versions will appear in the demo gradually, the first version will definitely come out with an English interface, other languages ​​will be added gradually;[/p]
• [p]the demo should have its own key settings, and controller support next;[/p]
• [p]the demo will come out in a Windows version, then a Linux version, for macOS probably later, after the Early Access version is released;[/p]
• [p]limitations and the ability to save load is an open question, especially since in the game it will be related to the choice of the difficulty level, which will not be in the early demo;[/p]
• [p]one universal difficulty level, maybe others will be added later;[/p]
• [p]in the demo there will be only one default character to choose from, as currently in playtest;[/p]

[p]A separate Steam page for the demo should appear in the next few days, but it will be available for download at the end of this month or next month.[/p][h2]What's in the Early Access version?[/h2][p]Currently, the expectations of players, Steam and popularizers have changed significantly in the last few years. A few years ago, ☵ HIRAETH could have been released at the level it was at half a year ago and no one would be surprised. I know many games that were released at such a level and are now polished and popular titles (or have faded into oblivion...).
[/p][p]Today, many titles are released, also as indie games, which have little in common with indie games like ☵ HIRAETH, are polished, but on the other hand, they don't change much later. I approach Early Access as just the beginning of an adventure, and if you know the game's publishing plans - a lot will change during it![/p][h3]Current assumptions:[/h3]

• [p]In the first version, the survival sandbox mode is similar to the one currently in playtest. Then there will be tasks, quests and a story mode will gradually appear;[/p]
• [p]Training Center and The Nesoi Island with a gradual expansion of the area. There will be no separate locations, simply new areas with different specifics and landscape will appear in the game. I'm already preparing other areas, but vehicles need to be added, which will happen soon;[/p]
• [p]There will definitely be the option to set your own keys and controller support, as well as other settings that currently only work partially in playtest;[/p]
• [p]The language versions listed on the game's website will appear successively, as Early Access develops;[/p]
• [p]In Early Access there will be a full or partial option to choose the difficulty level;[/p]
• [p]Full underwater exploration. In playtest this is a new option, only some underwater parts have a design as such;[/p]
• [p]Much more crafting, repairs and scrapping;[/p]
• [p]Refined weather direction;[/p]
• [p]Much more environmental hazards (radiation, fire, etc.), and damage will be more realistic, adjusted to the selected difficulty level;[/p]
• [p]Steam Achievements, which are disabled by Steam in playtest. There are currently a few test ones in playtest, not connected to your account;[/p]
• [p]Challenge mode. Directed challenges separate from the main gameplay;[/p]
• [p]Perks - connected to challenges, will make the game easier at the next start. This is just a rough but somewhat realistic plan for Early Access. [/p]

[p]The full list will be revealed at release.[/p][p]NOTE: Early Access release time is dependent on meeting the requirements to reach at least 10,000 wishlists on Steam.[/p][p][/p][h2]This is a real Indie game, or rather solodev[/h2][p]Although many people warned me against presenting the game as an indie game and solo dev for marketing reasons, I believe that there is no point in hiding it and that things should be presented as they are. As you can see in the playtest, there are a few people in the game's credits. At the beginning of the work on the project, they did a lot of great work, but for 2 years I have been working on the project exclusively by myself and in all aspects.[/p][h3]What will your support be used for?[/h3][p]First of all, to continue working on the project, releasing the Early Access version. Mainly for basic needs and internet and energy bills. Working on the project takes 100% of my time, apart from the lack of private life, I also cannot take on additional paid work, which would have a disastrous effect on workflow;
If the support is greater - to join the team of other people. Many are willing, the problem is, for example, the lack of possibility to maintain the project server necessary for teamwork, which is expensive for such an extensive project.[/p][h3]How to support?[/h3][p]The game's website lists various methods:
Patreon, buymeacoffee and PayPal/HiraethGame.

Regardless of where you support, the rewards are equal - what counts is the amount of the payment (also cumulative), and in return you will receive different rewards. Keep your payment confirmation, it will be the basis for the reward - placing you in the game and the universe ☵ HIRAETH.[/p][h3]
Preferred payment methods[/h3][p]It depends on your preferences, but please take into account:[/p]

• [p]PayPal is currently the fastest and least expensive way to receive support - for you and for me;[/p]
• [p]When paying with Apple Pay, the smallest part of your money is allocated to the project. There is also a 70-day grace period, so your support may not arrive on time...[/p]

[p]For any questions - contact me directly, preferably on Discord or via the form at hiraethgame.com
[/p][h3]When will you receive the rewards for your support?[/h3][p]Previous and current supporters receive rewards on an ongoing basis, with each game update. They are added to the game credits and placed in the game universe. They also appear on the game's website hiraethgame.com/support-production-and-be-part-of-hiraeth-game-universe/[/p][h3]
Example rewards for different support levels:[/h3]

• [p]Placement in in-game credits[/p]
• [p]Placement in the colonist list in the in-game databases[/p]
• [p]Memory Lane Polaroid - your photo on the memory walls[/p]
• [p]Name of the location or shelter, region[/p]
• [p]Mention in notes, item names[/p]
• [p]Separate mini stories or mini quests with a mention[/p]

[p]And many more. I try to distinguish supporters without disturbing the immersion of the players, which is working well for now (supporters are already listed in playtest).[/p][h3]Until when?[/h3][p]Support in this form will be possible until the release of the Early Access version. The rewards will be counted up to that point, and then the places where you can support will be closed.
Perhaps some other possibility will appear, for example the DLC Supporter Pack, but this is an unknown future for now. Such potential DLC will be completely unnecessary to play and will only contain some vanity items, with no impact on gameplay. It will also not be tied to the “become a legend in the ☵ Hiraeth game universe forever” rewards, so now is your last chance![/p][p][/p][p]Greetings to all survivors and see you in Early Access![/p][p]Paweł, author[/p][p][/p]