Beyond this star, early access will “keep you busy.”

What makes an early access version successful? This is a question that Balancing Monkey Games will have to consider as the studio prepares Beyond these stars To enter early access in the first few months of 2025.

Game Rant with Balancing Monkey developers (i.e. Leah Patsakos, Anna Barham, and Emily Latta) about Beyond these starsthe creator of the space whale city in continuation of its previous title before we leave Among them He talked about the company's plan for early access and how they are setting themselves up for success.

Beyond these stars Wants to do early access right

Beyond these stars A city builder is on the back of a space whale, so its initial access obviously requires a basic exploration of building and planning mechanics. But Balancing Monkey was adamant that the things available to players out of the gate should be more than minimal. Beyond these stars Expanding on the previous game, it brings a lot to the table. before we leaveand adding new components as city buildings. Showing that evolution in their formula is an important part of Balancing Monkey's plans for their early access:

This expansion in our original environment allowed us to explore the world, but introduced mechanics such as space exploration, trade and diplomatic relations with different alien races, and adventures with a space whale, which played an important role. was playing Antagonists in the previous game… We have galaxy exploration, interesting aliens, a quest system, branching technology paths, strange and unusual planets to inhabit, many new things. Buildings and resources to unlock, the list goes on. Even with an early access release, we think it's important to launch with an engaging gameplay loop and plenty to keep you busy.

Rather than just giving players a look at the basics of a city builder, Balancing Monkey wants its Early Access launch to be a representative look at what the game will look like, including missions and aliens for players to encounter. Despite the focus on building a community on the back of the Kua space whale, Beyond these stars It is also a space exploration game that allows players to peer into the galaxy inhabited by Peeps, the player population.

Early access to philosophy beyond these stars

The Early Access period, which hits players in 2025, offers a real window into this type of game. Beyond these stars is, including its focus on non-violent interactions, cultural respect, and the exploration of an atmosphere reminiscent of philosophy space explorers Instead of a game like Starfield. Philosophy of Beyond these stars Integral to what gaming is, and the prospect of space exploration is what the New Zealand company is most passionate about.

Our emphasis on non-violence is fundamental to the games we make. There is no combat, no soul destruction that can be performed by the player. Tension and challenge are experienced through maintaining a delicate balance between the needs of the player, Kewa, and other NPCs… You must manage the more industrial needs of your Peeps civilization against the preservation of Kewa's natural ecosystem. Pollution is a very real threat not only to Peeps and their happiness, but also to Kewa's health.

Additionally, the company explained that players cannot just harvest resources from planets, but must access resources at will. This was crucial to Balancing Monkey's vision for the game as an alternative to the kind of overt cosmic destiny colonization common in space exploration media.

For example, the space whale is named Kewa, and their hopes, goals, and dreams are a central part of the game's progression. While the studio has been tight-lipped about what Koa wants out of life, they have said that the bond with the space whale will unlock quests and story beats that will advance the game and perhaps act as a sort of milestone system for players. This makes empathy and understanding as functionally critical as smart building practices, if not more so.

Hope is at its center: believing in a better future, and building community in the face of great loneliness, even if it means leaving your comfort zone. Thematically, the environmental impact of civilizing activities is also very important – climate change is kind of scary! Basically: people, be compassionate and plant some trees.

With its mechanical abilities and philosophical approach to the game from the moment players get their hands on it early next year, Balancing Monkey intends to truly allow players to experience the best from day one – a tried and true method for Make the most of early access

Beyond these stars It is developing.