Hey everyone! I've got some interesting news about Starsand Island, the charming anime-inspired life and farming sim. The developers, Seed Sparkle Lab, have decided to launch the game in Early Access on February 11th via Steam for PC, and also as a Game Preview on Xbox Series and PC through the Microsoft Store. So, if you're itching to get your hands on it, you won't have to wait too long!

Initially, the plan was to release the full game on February 1st. However, the team wants to use this Early Access period to really polish things up. They want to fine-tune the content and make sure the end-game experience is top-notch before the final release. I think it's a smart move because getting community feedback early can make a huge difference in the final product.

Just a heads-up: multiplayer mode won't be available until the full release later this summer on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, a future Nintendo Switch, and PC. So, if you're planning to build your dream island with friends, you'll have to be a little patient.

Early Access Editions

When Early Access launches, you'll have a couple of choices. There's the Standard Edition, which includes the base game and all the Early Access content. And if you buy it during the launch period, you'll get an exclusive Chinese New Year bonus. Think festive outfits and furniture inspired by Chinese patterns – should be pretty cool!

If you want even more customization options, there's the Deluxe Edition. It has everything in the Standard Edition, plus extra content inspired by Romanticism. We're talking fancy, classical outfits and fantasy-inspired furniture to make your island life even more expressive.

I really like that Seed Sparkle Lab is emphasizing the importance of community feedback during Early Access. They want to work with players to improve stability, add more content, and make the game's world even better. Your voice can actually shape the future of Starsand Island, so that's pretty awesome.

The Early Access version is set to include a good chunk of the core gameplay systems. I'm talking about ranching, farming, exploring, fishing, and crafting. According to the team, there should be over 100 hours of gameplay. The devs really want to create a relaxing, creative, and emotionally engaging experience.

With its storybook-inspired visuals, interactions with diverse island residents, a customizable building system, animal companions, music gameplay, and cultural dance actions, Starsand Island seems like it has a lot to offer. I am curious to see how the crossover content with "My Time at Portia" plays out and how the Yueyang Tower recreation fits into the game's world.

For an independent studio, they're aiming for a wide release across all major platforms, which is ambitious! I'm looking forward to seeing how Starsand Island evolves during Early Access and what the final product will be like.

It is great that developers are dedicated to making a warm and meaningful world that takes inspiration from daily life.