BitCraft Online Early Access Will Be $30, F2P At Launch, Clockwork Labs Lays Out Updated Monetization Plans

The BitCraft Online team has released updated monetization plans for Steam Early Access, expected in May, and the full release.

Steam Early Access will cost $30, while full launch will be fully free to play. They’re doing this for two reasons: One, Steam has a greater chance of featuring or recognizing a game with a price tag and they're also intentionally limiting the player population while also gaining revenue to develop and scale the game before they open the floodgates. 

They’ll also be selling Hexite Shards, the previously revealed premium currency.  You will be able to spend this on cosmetics for your empire like banners and flags to other add-ons like empire territory fanfare when you enter or even empire themed custom character cosmetics like capes. You'll also be able to spend them on Hexite Capsules, which are used for empire territory defense and capture. During Early Access they plan on adding additional types of cosmetics as well. And, as they have to keep repeating, there’s no cryptocurrency.

After full release, monetization will change to only selling Hexite Shards. The same Early Access build is a complete game, so they're deciding to charge for it for those who really want in early and help them cross the finish line, and remove barriers to entry later. “We shall see if we can sustain the game in this way,” they say, acknowledging that change may have to come later but this is where they're going first.

There is a stream today where the devs discuss monetization and hold a Q&A if you’re looking for more.