Newsletter #07: What Is an Alpha Release (And How Can You Join Ours)?
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for continuing to read these updates. We’ve been blown away by the support and feedback we’re getting, and we’re so excited as our very first game starts to take shape.
This week, we’re pulling back the curtain on a key milestone in our development process: the Alpha release—what it means, what goes into it, and how you can be part of it.
What Is an Alpha Release?
If you’ve been following Daniel’s dev logs, you’ve probably heard him mention that we’re getting close to launching the Alpha version of our first game. But what does that actually mean?
An Alpha release is an early version of a game that contains the core mechanics (think: movement, basic gameplay, and UI), but isn’t yet fully polished. The art, sound design, and many visual elements are still in progress—but the foundation is there. This version helps developers test and refine the functionality of the game before layering in the finishing touches.
Following the Alpha release, we’ll move into Beta (a more complete and polished version), and eventually… the full public release!
What Goes Into the Alpha?
Short answer: a lot of building blocks.
For our Alpha version, we’re focusing on:
Basic movement (jumping, running, turning)
Early map designs (built in Unity)
Character concept art (sketches, stills, and basic models)
Initial UI design
Programming AI behavior
Branding elements (logo, color scheme, etc.)
Just getting to this stage is a massive amount of work—which is why we’re so grateful for our team. (If you haven’t met them yet, check out our team intros here).
Want to Be Part of It?
We’re inviting a handful of early supporters to test the Alpha version of our game. If you have a computer with a web browser, you’ll be able to jump in!
We’re looking for:
Players who can offer honest feedback
People excited to test early features
Friends who want to have fun and help us shape this from the ground up
You’ll also get access to our Discord, where we share behind-the-scenes updates and connect with our growing community of players.
[Click here to sign up + join the Discord!]
Thank you so much for following along and cheering us on. Whether you’re testing, sharing, praying, or just reading—your support means the world.
Until next time,
The Studio Steadfast Team