Here is a slightly delayed update on what we have done in 2025.

We had a goal to do (closed) alpha testing in Q3 2025 – and we did reach that goal!

Our primary focus has been getting the game ready for external testers – primarily bringing up performance. This is some of the things we have done:

• Building a simple menu system (and some other user interfaces, such as a loading screen)
• Added a basic system for changing graphics quality options (low, medium, high, epic)
• Implemented Steam integration, including setting up Steam Playtest for alpha/beta distribution
• Replaced most of the 3D assets with more modern ones
• Implemented just about all game rules and controls
• Gamepad support
• Optimized and improved OCAD import
  • This includes a greatly improved heightmap generation
• Lots and lots of optimizations (this is where most the time was spent)

Our goal is for the game to be playable (enjoyable!) on a gaming computer about 5 years old. If you want the full experience you’ll need a newer computer.

A hard requirement will be that your computer has a dedicated 3D graphics card (such as Geforce or Radeon). More details later on.

The alpha testing made in Q3 2025 showed that while we’re on track for reaching this goal, we still have some more optimization to do. So, that work will continue this year too.

Plans for 2026

The main goal for 2026 is to do public alpha testing, with a limited group of external testers.

The focus for this test will be gameplay and performance.

Before we can begin public testing we need to fix a few things, since we believe that first impression lasts:

• The visual presentation of the game
• Adding even more realism to the generated world
• Improving sound effects
• Some more optimizations

Please let us know if you are interested in helping us test the game – send an e-mail to info@purenylon.com (you will need a modern gaming computer)

So, when will the game be released?

The short answer: it will be released as soon as it is done!

The longer answer: one big feature that we feel must be included in the first public release is a map editor allowing the players to import/create (and share) their own maps and courses.

This is not something we’ve really started with yet – map and course import is done outside the game right now – and we need to build a proper user interface for it. Once we’ve got this one in place we should be ready for at least early access release on Steam!

A realistic timeline for this would be late 2027… no promises though!