Why Early Access?

“Early Access provides us an opportunity to get feedback from players during the development cycle while also helping us to bootstrap funds for development (we are a small, unfunded studio). As virtual reality is still a very new field, and we are attempting to do very nuanced sword physics (which few people are attempting), continuous feedback from users is essential to development.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Our current estimate is around 6 to 8 months. We feel that the current state of the game provides a lot of value, but we want to expand on the current features, fix bugs, and increase the overall polish of the game before moving out of early access.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The full version will include additional features, bug fixes, physics improvements, difficulty tweaks, and overall polish to the existing game modes. Some planned improvements are listed below, but these may change as time permits or as we learn more about what our customers care about most.

1. Additional types of fruit models and Tatami mats to slice.
2. Hundreds more training puzzles to complete, as well as the ability to generate random training puzzles of arbitrary difficulty.
3. Additional of a "stamina" system to encourage smooth, continuous motions and discourage flailing of the controllers. Too jerky motions would result in getting "tired" and the blade dragging behind the controller.
4. Tweaks to game mode difficulty as per user feedback.
5. Bug fixes, including improvements to stability of slicing, particularly when slicing the same object many times.
6. Additional environments.

Early Access purchases will get access to all of these improvements as they are built.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current version of Katana X for Early Access already provides the most realistic sword physics simulation that exists for virtual reality, combined with two "mini games" with various modes of play to hone your skills. You can choose between four different environments to play in. Most core game play features are implemented, but there are a few bugs and incomplete user interface elements. In detail, the game features are:

1. Simulation of sword cutting using a custom slicing "engine" specially built for VR interaction. This engine supports partially slicing objects slowly or quickly in a realistic, satisfying manner. You can partially slice objects which result in "wedges" cut out of the object, and multiple slices can be made on the same object. If you don't slice with the appropriate velocity and angle with respect to the blade edge, objects will bounce off instead of slicing.

Although there is no true resistance to a cut in VR, we have made what we believe are the best trade-offs possible. For example, cutting "heavy" world locked objects will result in the virtual blade being "locked in" to a slice to prevent de-synchronization, and a failure to cut fast enough will result in the blade getting "stuck". Slicing through non world locked objects (such as fruit) slowly will result in the the object being "dragged" along with the blade. Objects can get stuck onto the blade and be flung off in a realistic manner.

2. Flying Fruit mini game - This game is similar to "Fruit Ninja", and requires you to cut fruit as they fly through the air while avoiding slicing bombs. Fruit take the shape of various interesting patterns that help train your hand eye coordination. Slice multiple fruit in a continuous swing to get a "combo". Fruit patterns are carefully curated such that fruit do not bounce into each other within player interaction. The game modes available are:
a. Time Trial - Compete for high scores within a time limit.
b. Survival - Get the highest score while not missing more than 3 fruit or hitting a bomb.
c. Training (Puzzle) - Practice clearing different patterns of fruit with certain budget of "slices" available to you. The initial release has over 100 different "puzzles" to clear, but we will adding many more as development continues.
d. Free Play - Slice fruit at your own pace by configuring the amount and speed of the fruit.

3. Tatami Challenge mini game. This game requires you to slice sectioned Tatami mats and is inspired by Tameshigiri, the Japanese art of test cutting. Tatami mats are thick, world locked objects that require you to make a realistic sword slicing motion in order to cut all the way through. A slice motion without enough velocity and leverage will result in the blade stuck in the mat. Tatami mats will pop up in interesting patterns with different slice-able channels separated by boundaries. Cut all slice channels without touching a boundary to clear a mat. Slice multiple mats in one swing or slice the same mat quickly to achieve a bonus. The game modes currently available for Tatami are:
a. Time Trial - Clear mats quickly and accurately to get the highest score.
b. Survival - Clear every mat without making a mistake.

4. Different environments to play in. Choose between a traditional Japanese Dojo at either daytime or night time, or hang out by the great Torii in the middle of the sea (also during the day or night time).”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Price will not change when we leave early access.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We plan to be very active in listening to customer feedback through community forums, on reddit, or via direct email. As this is a very experimental game attempting to provide the first realistic sword simulation for VR, customer engagement and feedback loop is essential to tuning physics, game play, difficulty and deciding which features to concentrated development on.”