How can we help?
Bugs, questions, privacy requests, or just want to talk route strategy — send a message below or email hello@thehotchpotch.dev.
Send us a message
Goes straight to the team, backed up securely. We usually reply within a couple of days.
Milestead is in development — there is no public app yet, so there are no store listings to link. Early-access waves will be announced to the mailing list first.
Frequently asked questions
When does Milestead launch?
We're in development with a playable core loop, heading toward closed testing on iOS TestFlight and Android. Join the early-access list on the home page and you'll hear the moment your wave opens.
Which devices will it support?
iPhone and Android phones with GPS. No smartwatch or fitness-tracker sync in the first release — runs are tracked with the phone in your pocket. Apple Watch and Garmin-style imports are on the post-launch roadmap.
Does it drain my battery?
Location is sampled every few seconds or metres during an active run only — never in the background when you are not running. We test on real devices and keep tuning; closed testers will see the numbers first.
Is my location shared with anyone?
No. Raw GPS traces stay on your device; only harvested cell IDs and quantities sync to your account. Nothing is sold, nothing goes to advertisers, and there are no ads in the app.
How do I delete my data?
In-app account deletion ships with the release build, as both app stores require. Until then, email hello@thehotchpotch.dev and we will remove your early-access or support records manually.
Is it pay-to-win?
There is nothing to buy that affects progress — no timers, no speed-ups, no loot boxes. Miles are the only currency. The MVP has no purchases at all.
What is Milestead, exactly?
A peaceful nation-building game powered by running. The map is covered in small hex cells, each yielding a resource based on real land use — parks give timber, industrial blocks give metal, campuses give knowledge. You spend the haul on buildings and advance through five ages, from Ancient to Modern.
How does the game know what each place gives?
Cells are classified from public map data about land use. Green space pays timber, shops pay wealth, water and farmland pay food, and so on — so the kind of place you run through decides what you earn.
What if I run the same route every day?
Harvested cells regrow slowly over about 72 hours, so repeating one loop yields less each time. The game is designed to reward new routes, not grinding the same loop.
Can I use it on a treadmill or indoors?
No — harvesting needs real GPS movement through real hex cells, and a treadmill does not move you through any. Milestead is an outdoor running game by design.
Why does it need my location — and when?
Only during a run you explicitly start, using "While Using" permission. There is no background tracking, and your raw GPS trace never leaves your phone — only harvested cell IDs and quantities sync.
Is there multiplayer, PvP, or combat?
No. The first release is solo and peaceful: no combat, no territory capture, no PvP. Just you, your routes, and your nation.
How much will it cost? Are there ads?
The first release is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases. Progress comes only from running.
Is it safe to run with?
Treat it like any run: stay on public paths, stay aware of traffic, and never look at the map while moving near roads. The app shows a short safety reminder before every run, and harvesting never requires entering private or restricted property.
Can I walk or cycle instead of running?
It is built and balanced for running. Implausibly fast movement is filtered by plausibility checks, so only genuine on-foot movement through cells counts.
Which countries and languages are supported?
Anywhere with mapped streets works, since cells come from global map data. The site and app UI are in English.