Hi everyone!
I know we've been relatively quiet for awhile, but we had good reason to! We've been playing the first Aquatico game version intensely for weeks now, and now that we are happy with the current stage of development, we've decided to include you, the players as well. Your insight and your feedback will be hugely appreciated as we set the next set of goals in this development cycle.
WHAT'S THE DEAL THEN?
Well, next week, on Friday 16th, we'll open the access to the current version of Aquatico. Access will be opened for the entire weekend (September 16th – September 18th), and then access will be suspended for now. You're invited to download the build and test the heck out of it. Then spam us with feedback and reactions, we'll take it from there!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
We're opening registrations at the time you're reading this announcement. You'll see the register option on the Steam store page, enter the Playtest there, and people registered that way will get access to alpha game version from September 16th until September 18th.
WHAT DOES THIS GAME VERSION OFFER?
Please note that this game version IS NOT a completed game by any stretch of imagination. Internally, the current development build is more advanced, but in this Playtest version we've opened only the game elements that are sufficiently tested, or game elements that we're most eager to hear your thoughts on.
Entire basic mechanics, resources, production chains, terrain options, multi level construction, pipeline infrastructure, environment scenery, music and sound effects – that's all already in there and you can use it to get the taste of the full experience that is still in the making.
Some of the things that are still limited: the full stack of maps is not unlocked, the expedition/exploration system is disabled, the event system, higher tier buildings are also locked, more juicy scenery /atmospherics elements, domes (upper construction level) cannot be connected yet via tubes (and an even more advanced transport system within them), more various biomes…
Most importantly – this first game version will be time limited at 2 hours per play session. You're free to start as many sessions as you'd like, but each will individually be limited to 2 hrs.
As developers, we can tell you that yes, this alpha game version will likely have some bugs and will have some missing elements. If you decide to participate in Playtest, please don’t be annoyed by that, the very purpose of this event is to make sure there are no bugs when release version is reached. There is plenty of finished and enjoyable things already, and your reactions will help us make the entire experience like that – enjoyable.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PLAYTEST?
Since we've received a lot of requests by players wanting to check out and test the game, we've decided to use the Steam Playtest feature to do just that, and to do it in a broader and more inclusive way. The game is not yet finished, but it is decently playable and with enough added elements that all your feedback will be very representative and incredible important as strategic guidelines for the remainder of our development time. Plus, after we really enjoyed it - we are especially eager for you to join in and see what we're making here. With your assistance, we can make the game better, a lot better, we're confident of that!
WHAT WOULD WE LIKE YOU TO DO AS PLAYTEST PARTICIPANTS?
The first request we have is easy: opt into the playtest, download the version once it’s available, play it and (hopefully) enjoy it. Feel free to utilize any of the game mechanics as you see fit. Tutorial guidelines will be available, but approach to possible paths is pretty open, and there are multiple ways to organize things in your underwater city. The more you experiment, the better feedback we’ll have. And in turns, that will lead to better game down the road.
Second thing is – please report your feedback to us, and if you experience any technical difficulties, please report that too. We’ll announce the exact procedure for this next week, but it will be simple and easy.
And lastly – our entire team says a big THANK YOU in advance, for your participation, for your time invested and for your help in making Aquatico the best it can possibly be!
Welcome!
Digital Reef Games