A couple weeks ago the second closed Beta invite went out to a few dozen mailing list subscribers. If you didn't get one, there will definitely be at least one more round of closed betas before Early Access, probably more. If you'd like to be included on mailing updates and potentially be included in future betas, you can sign up on the website. The next round of closed betas will start in about two weeks:
http://www.starcomnexus.com/closed-beta-mailing-list-sign-up/
Based on tester's feedback, I feel confident that the game will enter Early Access before the end of the year. While there are some bugs and quality of life feature requests (it is a Beta), most players reported really enjoying the experience. The data suggests they weren't just being polite: almost 90% of the playtesters who installed the game played for at least an hour and almost 90% of those played nearly all of the main story content currently available (roughly 3 hours as of that build).
In other news:
The game now has a Discord channel where you'll find me most days: https://discord.gg/ezFPXcW
First pre-release curator review from Space Game Junkie: If you love space exploration akin to Starflight or The Long Journey Home, but without the tedious rover stuff, you'll LOVE Starcom: Nexus. It's fantastic with exploration, discovery and its writing.
Given how much I loved Starflight, that made me really happy.
The game still has a ways to go before it's complete. As the playtesters have seen, this is a very content-rich game and it will need a lot more content before it is done. One the main reasons for Early Access: I have a vision for the overall story of Starcom:Nexus, but I want your help filling in the details and the path that takes you to the end.
- Kevin
You've finally made it out of the academy and have been given your first ship to command. Sure it's just a light shuttle, but you've got to start somewhere, right? Suddenly "somewhere" is stranded in an unknown galaxy surrounded by hostile aliens and no way home.
Explore the beautiful and mysterious open-world of Starcom: Nexus. It's a universe where you'll battle or befriend strange alien races, discover ancient artifacts, research powerful technologies and build your ultimate starship.
Features:
Fully open-world universe with numerous quests and storylines
Hundreds of unique planet anomalies, space discoveries, artifacts and more!
Fast-paced, exciting combat with numerous hostile factions
Over 150 technologies to research
Design your own ship using a modular construction system
Talk and trade with multiple alien factions, each with their own agendas and dynamic AI
Lots of hidden secrets and side quests
Quick save anywhere
Much, much more!
MINIMAL SETUP
OS: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or SteamOS
Processor: Intel Core i5 2.2 GHz+Memory: 4 GB RAM
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: 2GB OpenGL 3 Capable video card or better