Hi folks, The moment is finally here! After months of hard work, I'm thrilled to announce that Erannorth Renaissance is entering Early Access on July 26th! A special thanks to everyone who participated in the recent closed alpha and provided invaluable feedback – your contributions have been instrumental in shaping this release. I'm beyond excited to finally share this early version of the game with all of you and continue this journey together. [b]A Word About Early Access[/b] [i]Before you rush to grab the game, let's chat about what Early Access means: [/i] Erannorth Renaissance is still a work in progress. It's playable, but it's not perfect yet. There will be bugs, missing features, and room for improvement. If you're the kind of player who wants a polished, finished experience, I honestly recommend waiting. Wishlist, the game, and check back in a year or three to see how things have progressed. However, if you're interested in helping shape the game, trying out new ideas, and being part of the development process, then Early Access is for you! [previewyoutube=1KnzeKzNatM;full][/previewyoutube] [b]What to Expect in Early Access[/b] [list] [*] You'll get to play through the beginning of our story and explore the first region, Llanford, which offers 3-4 hours of engaging gameplay. [*] The core gameplay experience is fully fleshed out. You can dive into tactical turn-based combat, customize your character as you level up, and explore the world to uncover its secrets. [*] The replay value is baked into the core of Erannorth Renaissance. The story branches in unexpected ways, your choices have lasting consequences, and random events ensure that no two adventures will ever be the same. Each playthrough will feel like a fresh, unique experience if you make different choices. [*] And for those who love to tinker and customize your games, Erannorth Renaissance has you covered. You can already dive into modding with the built-in tools, adding unique touches like new perks, actions, or even artwork. Plus, we've got full Steam Workshop integration and achievements to make things even more fun. [*] This is just the beginning. Throughout Early Access, I'll add more regions to explore, quests to undertake, and characters to meet. You can also expect a bunch of new features and improvements that will make each playthrough even more unique and exciting. [/list] [b]What will the game cost?[/b] Erannorth Renaissance will be entering Early Access on July 26th for 9.99 USD. The price will use Steam regional pricing to ensure fair pricing in your territory. Please note that the price will gradually increase with each significant content update. [b]How long will Erannorth Renaissance be in Early Access? [/b] I aim for 2-3 years, but it could be longer. I want to make sure the game is done right, even if it takes a bit more time. [b]What are your plans for the development cycle during Early Access?[/b] I have a roadmap planned out with at least nine major content updates. Each update will focus on fleshing out a new region, adding new build options like perks, actions, and equipment, and developing the companion characters with more interactions and events. You can see the roadmap here: [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44786997/597e6f59257f41363e637e497d91933a0cfe3d8f.jpg[/img] [b] How does Erannorth Renaissance compare to previous Erannorth games? [/b] Erannorth Renaissance is a complete overhaul of the original Erannorth engine, offering a deeper, more immersive experience. Unlike Chronicles, which forked off Reborn's code, Renaissance has been rewritten from the ground up, resulting in a faster, more responsive game. You'll immediately notice the brand new graphical style and tactical hex-based combat, replacing the card-based battles of the past. The user interface has also been modernized and streamlined for easier navigation. While the core spirit of Erannorth remains, Renaissance is a significant evolution of the series. The RPG mechanics have been expanded and refined, offering more depth and customization. A branching narrative with meaningful choices and consequences drives the overarching story, while a new continent with diverse regions, characters, quests, and events awaits your exploration. It's important to note that, at this early stage, Renaissance's character builds and customization options might not yet rival the depth Chronicles and Reborn achieved over their combined 6 years of development. However, once complete, Renaissance is designed to surpass both games in this regard. The new engine provides a more flexible foundation for building unique characters and playstyles, and the expanded RPG systems offer even more opportunities for customization. With your feedback and continued development, Renaissance will ultimately become the most customizable and immersive Erannorth experience yet. Whether you're a veteran of the series or a newcomer, Erannorth Renaissance offers a fresh and exciting experience for all. [b] Will this game be as easy to mod as your previous titles? [/b] Yes, Erannorth Renaissance will be as easy to mod as previous titles. In fact, it will be easier to mod as there are UI-based tools for adding, editing, and exporting content. See the following video for a taste of the initial modding support: [previewyoutube=IDtcgONjHxs;full][/previewyoutube] [b]I heard the game has romance; should I be worried about unwanted advances from my companions?[/b] Fear not! Romances are disabled by default in Erannorth Renaissance. You must actively choose to enable them by adjusting your preferences in your in-game journal. Additionally, the game offers options to customize the level of intimacy in romantic scenes, ranging from fade-to-black to more detailed textual descriptions. This allows you to tailor the experience to your comfort level. [b]Does Erannorth Renaissance use AI-generated art? [/b] The game uses commercially licensed stock art sold by human artists. Their creative process may or may not involve using AI-powered tools or their own custom AI systems. [b]Your Feedback Matters[/b] Early Access is a collaboration between us. Your feedback is invaluable to me as I shape the future of Erannorth Renaissance. Share your thoughts, report bugs, and suggest improvements – let's make this game the best it can be together! Just remember, Early Access isn't for everyone. It's a chance to get involved in the development process, not a way to get a finished game at a discount. If you expect a fully polished experience with tons of content, waiting for the full release is probably best. Don't be that guy who jumps on the bandwagon only to complain that a game in early development doesn't have the same depth as a finished product. This is just the beginning of a long journey, and I'm excited to have you along for the ride. [b]If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask![/b]