We're getting close! As the second quarter of 2021 draws near, it's time to share the final Slipways release plan and announce the dates and numbers everybody is eager to know.

• The game releases on June 3, 2021 and will receive free content updates for some time after that.
• The price will be $16.99 here on itch.io, but there will be regional pricing on other stores
• It will be available for Windows and Mac, in five languages: English, German, French, Chinese and Polish (more languages possible as community localizations)
• The closed beta is now planned for early May (sign-up here)

That's the gist of it! If you'd like to know more, I go into more detail below.

Release and roadmap

The game will drop on June 3, 2021. This is going to be a full release, not Early Access, but I do plan on improving the game after it's out (see the "Post-release updates" section).

Here is a rough list of upcoming features slated for release:

• Endless mode: For those who are not fond of time limits, coming in both a challenge flavor (where you try to accomplish massive sector-spanning goals before being voted out) and a sandbox flavor.
• Campaign mode: With each scenario introducing a new twist to the gameplay. The game will launch with just a few scenarios. The plan is to round the campaign out with post-release updates (read the next section to learn more).
• Tech system overhaul: A big balancing pass aimed at making the system easier to grasp, but at the same time more open to different strategies.
• Ranked maps: Pre-seeded maps with unique rules, refreshed twice a week to let you compete for high scores with others around the world.
• More content: New random events, mission types and technologies to shake things up more.
• Replayability features: Sector quirks and rule modifiers making each sector different, planet modifiers to make some planets more unique, "tough+" difficulty levels for those who want even more challenge, achievements and more.
• Many, many UI improvements: Largely based on all the feedback from the SGF demo, aimed to make the game play as smooth as possible.
• Lots of polish: To make sure all of the game's graphics and animations are up to scratch.

Post-release updates

My original vision for the game included an ambitious campaign with every scenario introducing a big twist: a new structure type, resource or obstacle to shake up the gameplay and make it a fresh challenge.

This is something I still want to do, but there is no way to make it fit for the June release. With this approach, each scenario is a small new game, requiring new assets, careful design and quite a bit of iteration before it plays right.

On the other hand, I'm eager to let everyone play the game already and I don't want the campaign to hold the release back. For that reason, the plan is to push most of the campaign scenarios into free, regular updates, to be delivered in roughly monthly intervals after the game comes out. These updates will not be limited to just the campaign: the mechanical twists enabling the scenario will become available as options in other modes, giving you new ways to play standard, endless and ranked runs.

I will also be working on a few features that didn't make it into the release plan. The most important of those is proper modding support, so the community can start expanding the game alongside me.

Moving the beta

If you want to play the game even earlier, there is a closed beta coming up!

I originally hoped to make it available in April, but as development continued, it became clear that I have to push it back to early May. I'd rather give you a solid beta a little late than deliver a flawed one early.

This beta will let you try all of the new game modes except for ranked maps and experience most of the new content. If you haven't signed up yet, here's the sign-up form! Access will be limited to a few thousand Steam beta keys, with earlier sign-ups having a better chance of getting one.

Summary

That's it! Still quite a way to go, lots of work to be done and lots of pressure to get it right - but with the adjustments I made, I'm confident I can make this happen and deliver a great game for you in June!

If you still have any questions, I'm happy to address them on Discord or Twitter, or here in the comments.

See you around the galaxy!