EARLY ACCESS ANNOUNCEMENT! + YouTube Dev Log #4! + New Discord!

Hi everyone!

I have been absolutely head-down and busily working on Early Access development now for the past several weeks, and I am very pleased to 'officially' announce the Early Access release date for Empire Water Works...

...drum roll...

November 27th 2026!

It's a few months out, and whilst I'm being slightly conservative with the date, it's mostly because I am (believe it or not), a bit of a perfectionist....and I must add that the date also seems scarily close! 😅

Without promising too much, in a nutshell, on day 1 of Early Access launch I do plan to include:

• Everything from the demo + no day limit (obvious!)

• At least 3 more upgrades (right now, I'm working towards the Jet Condenser, Cylinder Temp Gage and Boiler Water Tank Electric Pump)

• Addition of the 'Repair Service' - formerly known as the 'Machine Shop' - (allows the ability to repair damaged/destroyed equipment, such as the boiler, cylinder liners, etc)

• Enhanced steam cylinder lubricator features (ability to control oil flow and view oil drops in the sight glasses; danger of causing cyl. wear if valves are improperly set) - very much in the bag already!

• Enhanced boiler sight glass features (drain-able sight glass; water level indication can 'freeze' and provide inaccurate readings unless drained periodically) - also complete currently

• Flow meters down in the basement which will display how much water you're actually pumping! (and the ability to record these values to the Ledger)

• More contracts (over a dozen more for initial EA release, with more to be added over time)

• More phone calls

• Anything else I can cram in prior to November 27th!

As part of this announcement, I have created a new dev log with more info! Check it out below!

View store page Over on my Patreon, I have first-drop news and more information (such as early-access to dev logs like the one above) and more frequent posts and polls on this project, so if you're feeling like you'd like to help support me for the long development road ahead, it is very much appreciated!

That's it for this announcement, I hope you're continuing to enjoy the demo (and if you haven't checked-out the demo yet, feel free to do so!), and please remember, this is only the beginning of the journey, and I'm so glad you're here!

Your ongoing support is very much appreciated and I look forward to bringing you more news and details as development progresses over the coming weeks and months!

New Discord Server!

As part of this release-date announcement, I am excited to announce a brand new Harman Motor Works Official Discord server! Join here! https://discord.gg/yHtZ8RkPrP

A few of you have been asking about a Discord for a while now, so I'm chuffed to bring you a place where you can finally hang out!

Also as part of this Discord, is an area for Hydro players to hang out and chat and help each other out! And an area for my YouTube channel video links and general area to chat.

It should go without saying, but please remember to be respectful of your fellow community members, so that we can make this a great community!

Early Access Dev Screenshots

The below screenshots are a tiny teaser of the development that's been happening behind-the-scenes for the Early Access build lately (as always, paid Patreon members get first dibs on all news and development info regarding Empire Water Works).

In all cases, wherever and however you choose to support me, I am so very grateful and appreciative for it! 😎

Flow meter:

Repair Service going to work repairing those worn cylinders!!

And the boiler:

Jet Condenser:

The adjustable boiler safety valve:

Steam cylinder temp gauge (upgrade item):

Steam cylinder lubricator enhancements (visible and animated oil drops and controllable oil flow which will affect cylinder wear at different steam engine RPM)

Cheers!