State of the game - June 2022

The last month I've changed to the different release schedule with all patrons getting the early access, and then esteemed patrons getting the first bug fixes and latest mechanics testing. It was also last month that I had all of the art assets for Wg, and I was even able to commission another special piece thanks to supporter funds.

Current itchio version - v0.6.2
Current Early Access version - v0.7.1

Emotions stemming from not believing that I've come this far continue, and probably will still long after I release what I call a final version and walk onto the next project. Not only did last month see the art completion for weight gain, but then I started to get close to finishing the story, which prompted the extra art piece. This is because I also get to a point where I would be able to get in multiple endings.

It's still hard to get to all of them, which is something that I'm reflecting on. This last patch version for esteemed patrons, I think I got a little too caught up with new mechanics and playing with the plugins. I wanted to put more story in, and that got caught up with me wanting to put in a couple of puzzles in at the end. Then I worked on my own random encounters, when I could have added in more dialog and story. As I look back at the last few weeks, I needed a reminder that story is just as important to most of the players, and that is something which I want to focus on.

As I've finished a second puzzle, I've decided to hold off on that for now. There is still plenty of story elements that I want to accomplish. The weight gain personal logs were needed to be completed. There needs to be some clearer communication about how the final act needs to be accomplished by players. Plus there are a few puzzles (namely the snow map) that were already completed, but I never really put the real prize for accomplishing it.

So I want to thank everyone that is here supporting me. Your feedback helps to tell me what is fun and what isn't. Your testing helps to tell me what I've broken and what I need to work on to keep the game fun.

To say thanks, and to celebrate that I still seem to be on a roll with coding, I'm going to release another early access version for all supporters. v0.7.2 will have bug fixes and fixes for some of the things that I was testing in v0.7.1 that didn't pan out all that well, but it will also have some improvements and extra story. This includes some clearer paths to each of the endings available. And most importantly, the means to see that special cutscene art which was commissioned and completed.

v0.7.2 for all supporters will be out by Friday of this week.