So apparently
development is done.Big news everyone, Spacebase DF-9 1.0 will be released next month! It’s been a pleasure sharing this experience with those of you who picked the game up during Early Access and provided the feedback that helped shape it into what it has become.
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As for what will be added between now and the 1.0 build, new features will be aimed at providing the complete experience you’d expect of a non-Early Access game: a Tutorial mode to smooth out the early game a bit and help new players learn the basics, and a Goal system that lets you work towards concrete objectives. That as well as over a month’s worth of pure bug-fixing work and final polish.
We’re also pleased to announce we’ll be releasing the game’s full Lua source code a short time after 1.0, which will allow the community to create potentially far-ranging mods that add content, new features, and change some fundamental game behaviors. We’ll of course be sticking around a bit for bug fixing and support, but any new content for the game will now be in your hands. We’re eager to see what people do with this game!
Here was the latest Alpha 6 video from earlier this month:
This has upset a bunch of people. The game has been on Early Access selling for $30 or so and was recently on sale for less. There was a big list of features they wanted to add to the game that never got added.
I can kind of understand why people are upset but also why development might have stopped. The team was pretty small but DF has several larger projects they are working on now (Broken Age, Massive Chalice, Grim Fandango HD, Costume Quest 2 is probably in crunch mode right now) so they probably had to pull those devs back onto those projects to get them done. Plus if it hasnt been selling well then it might just be a reality that they have to stop. I'm sure we'll here some more about this in the coming days/weeks.
But when you've paid in possible $30 for an early access and it goes from alpha to final in a month? Yeah...that seems weird. But what is alpha anymore? Most game "betas" are essentially complete demos for the final game. Alpha might not mean so much. There is a big list of features that they wanted to add but didn't get around to...I'm sure that isn't unique for most games. DF is just more open about their plans and it seems to just come around and hurt them.
I think the question will be is the 1.0 release a "finished game" you want to buy? We'll see. Looks interesting to me but maybe not for $30. Also one of those buyer beware situations with Early Access games. Don't put money down unless what is already available is worth to you what they are charging.