Why Early Access?

“We're trying to do something in this genre which is currently unproven by placing several mechanics usually associated with survival games on top of a Bullet Heaven/Survivors-like. It's a bit of an experiment for us and the best way we can gauge whether the game we're making is fun is to involve the community, be open to feedback, and iterate on some of the existing ideas that we think are very appealing.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We have provisioned for a minimum of five months in Early Access to implement a host of additional enemies, abilities, weapon types, and story elements that complement our existing systems to give players a unique experience every time they jump back in.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The full version will contain more of everything - weapons, enemies, abilities, upgrades - and will include a meta-progression system to allow the player to increase their stats between runs. There will also be an ongoing narrative that will be unveiled piece by piece as the player progresses through the game.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current version of When the Light Dies includes a full tutorial, eight playable character class, six weapons, seven enemy types, three unique end of stage bosses, seven active abilities, eighteen passive abilities, fifteen weapon upgrades, and a range of consumable items (food, alcohol, books, lantern oil). We plan to add more content to each of these areas throughout early access so that every run will feel different.

In addition to the content above, we have some interesting gameplay systems not seen before in this genre, including several survival meters to manage (stamina, temperature, sanity) and a light/dark mechanic that, if neglected, buffs enemies while weakening the player. Between runs the player can also invest currencies in three constellations to develop their character further, and work towards completing in-game achievements for additional rewards.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“It is unlikely that we will raise the price after Early Access, but if this changes, it will be communicated way ahead of time.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We will engage with players primarily through our dedicated Discord server, as well as Steam discussion threads and Steam post comments. We’ll also be actively monitoring player sentiment across other platforms, including YouTube comments and social media posts. Ultimately we want your thoughts and feedback to help us to shape When the Light Dies to make it the best that it can be!

We hope to provide a transparent roadmap that players can look forward to as we progress through Early Access.”