August Update: We Are Melting (It’s Fine)

Hello my favorite community! It’s time for our August check-in, and we’ve got a lot to share. From polishing Chapter 1 to hitting full-game milestones, here’s where TOUCHSTARVED is at right now! 🌙

🛠️ August 2025 Dev Snapshot

Narrative

• Chapter 1 – Writing | ⚒️ ~ Dialogue locked, VO prep underway

• Full Game – Writing | ⚒️ 89% Drafted, 69% through final passes

• Full Game – VO Prep | ⚒️ In Progress, scene + line selects underway

Voice Acting

• Full Game – VO Recording | 📅 Talent Booked for Sessions in Q3 2025!

Art & Implementation

• Chapter 1 – CG & UI Art | ⚒️ 84% Complete, final polish in progress

• Chapter 1 – Implementation | ⚒️ 72% Complete, final art in progress

• Full Game – CGs & BGs | ⚒️ ~59% Complete

Systems & Testing

• Full Game – Systems/Code | ⚒️ 63% Complete, revamped UI in progress

• Chapter 1 – QA + Bug Fixes | 📅 Testing Phase Scheduled (Begins late summer)

• Localization Planning | ⚒️ In Progress, negotiating with translation partners

Release Plan

• Chapter 1 – Early Access | 🔓 Launching Q3 2025 for qualifying backer tiers

• Chapter 1 – General Access | 🔓 Launching Q4 2025 for all other backers

• Full Game – Public Release | ⏳ Targeting 2026 (exact quarter TBD)

📌 Reminder: VO and localization are end-of-pipeline tasks. These are progressing as planned, not behind schedule!

🛠️ Art Updates

Surprise! We’ve got new art to show you! 

Art is the longest part of the process, but our insanely talented team has been picking up speed over the summer. That’s thanks to our artists, of course, but also to the producers and directors wrangling schedules, running meetings, and making sure everyone’s set up for success. (It takes a village, and far too many shared calendars.)

nothing beats a jet2 holiday! 

• “We stand before a mansion, its planters teeming with blooming flowers. The doorway is draped in velvet curtains…”

This beautiful background will make its first appearance in the upcoming Chapter 1 sneak peek for backers! It plays a bigger role in DLC after launch, but you’ll see plenty of it before then. 😏 Any guesses what it’s for? 

me: he’s soooo cute i could fix him💕 also me: [obituary photo]

• “Vere towers over me, somehow massive yet as ephemeral as smoke. Shadows peel off his fur and pool like ink below him…”

Here’s a rough concept of Vere’s Monster form 🦊 His collar controls when and how he can transform, which means he’s (mostly) safe to be around.

yk i’m smashing that audio button when [redacted]

The game’s been getting a makeover recently thanks to our wonderful UI artist (shout out to backers for hitting that stretch goal 🥰)!

Here’s a peek of the WIP design for the History Log. That’s the feature where you can view previously read lines and rewind the game. In the future, you’ll also be able to relisten to VO lines here too! 😳 

We can’t wait to show you how the game’s new look is coming along as more features get reskinned. It is legitimately gorgeous so far.
 

💌 Thanks Everyone!

That’s all for this month! The Chapter 1 sneak peek for backers is almost here, and we’re working hard to make sure it’s ready. Each love interest gets one chapter in the preview, so altogether that’s about eight hours of gameplay!

We’re thrilled, nervous, and caffeinated in equal measure. Thank you for your patience, positivity, and for cheering us on through the summer heat!

Also, a quick reminder! Tomorrow at PAX West, one of our incredible directors Dev Presbury will be speaking on the panel “Celebrating and Demystifying the Art of Creating Visual Novels (13+).” She’s more brilliant and kind than I can describe in this update, so if you’re attending, please stop by to say hi and show her some love!

📅 Saturday, Aug 30, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Frog Theatre (The Summit, Level 3)

👀 Got Questions?

You can always reach us:

• redspring.helpdesk@gmail.com

• via comments

Thanks for sticking around! The best parts are still ahead 🤍!

With love (and an unreasonable amount of sticky notes),
—Lulu @ Red Spring Studio

PS: Sofi might be writing these from now on, so farewell in case I never see you again 🕊️ (jk)