Why Early Access?

“Jump into the action early with Defender on Steam Early Access and be part of the game's evolution! By joining us now, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the development process with your feedback and suggestions. Experience the core gameplay of intense, wave-based combat against a variety of enemies, from basic monsters to challenging bosses. Your input will help us refine mechanics, introduce new features, and balance the game to create the ultimate roguelike experience. Plus, as an early supporter, you'll enjoy exclusive content and updates before anyone else. Be a crucial part of Defender's journey and witness its growth firsthand!”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I do not have a deadline in mind, but I am aiming for the game to be fully ready by January of 2025”

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

“The game lacks all the content I plan to add before the full release.
Currently, players will be able to play test the game and provide feedback on balancing and difficulty. As well as report any bugs.

Future content to be added:
1. Multiple classes to start off the game including mage and an archer.
2. The ability to upgrade/boost your weapon in-game using pickups scattered around the map.
3. More Boss characters: including an ogre boss*, a dragon**.
4. Each class will have an upgrade mechanic that will give the player a temporary buffs. for example the current (and only) melee class will have a rage mechanic, in which the player is able to activate a buff for a specific amount of time upon reaching 100% rage. The player will receive a 100% movement speed buff and 100% cast speed buff while also taking 20% damage reduction debuff.


* the ogre boss will have a mechanic where picking up the correct food and adding poision to it before dropping it next to him/her will cause the boss to eat it and take massive damage. But if the player chooses to force beat the boss without using the mechanic, it will be possible.

** the dragon boss will revolve around the ability to fly and be un-targetable while torching the ground in an AOE effect, before getting tired and forced to go back to melee mode.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The game is currently in free open beta.

Currently.

• You are able to customize your character's appearance before jumping into the game.
  
• Movement is controlled by WASD (keyboard), controller is currently not supported.
  
• Right/Left Clicking will cause your character to perform an attack, while pointing your cursor will decide where you attack.*
  
• Every 30 seconds, a new wave will spawn. if you kill all the monsters within the wave, you will level up. leveling up will heal you completely as well as offer you a chance to upgrade one of 4 cards at random (however, the rng system favors cards you have already picked before).
  
• the first 5 waves will be an increasing number of basic monsters that can only attack in close melee range. However, starting from wave 5 elites will spawn. An elite monster is able to cast 1 spell. At wave 7 (and every 7th wave moving forward) a special event will trigger where golden and really fast melee minions will run at you for 1 minute. at the end of the minute, depending on how many golden monsters you have slain, you will be given the chance to level up one special weapon. Every 10th wave, a boss will spawn. each boss has a unique mechanic that need to be dealt with before you are able to kill them.

* you are unable to cancel an attack animation, meaning you cannot move until the animation is finished. You are unable to rotate with the mouse once the attack has started, if you wish to change directions, you will have to do so after the attack animation is done.”

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

“The open beta, and early access will be free of charge.
I plan on changing the price in the future once the game is fully ready for release.”

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

“as a solo developer, i am unable to play test every aspect of the game and find all the bugs!
that's where the players come in to help!

if you have any feedback, please contact me on my email: ”