Alpha Delay, Playable Sandbox Soon

If the title alone upsets you, here is some additional listening to soften the blow. And if you're prone to skim, here's the sparknotes version:

• I need to push the release of the alpha (previously erroneously referred to as a beta) back — new ETA is "Summer."
• I don't want to leave people empty-handed and still need feedback, so a stand-alone sandbox-esque playable build is still being released very soon (I want to say this month but I don't want to jinx it), with regular updates for those at the $5 tier or higher.
• You may recall I was calling it a "beta" before. I was kinda just using beta as a general way of referring to an unfinished build until the patron Poscal reminded me it's more specific than that, OOPS!!
• The solution I'm going with was decided after consulting with my patrons directly via the discord server, with the sandbox actually being a suggestion another patron, Polytope, that quickly gained traction.

Assuming you're still reading, here's the actual specifics: I really thought I'd have the alpha ready in April, but to be safe, I stated it would be "Spring," which is looks like I'll still be unable to reach. Part of it was due to mandatory family trips in May, because my family decided to graduate, get married, and have a child, all at the same time. But most of it was simply the amount of work that goes into doing this alone, which is equal parts tackling problems you've never had to do yourself for the first time, and simply only being able to produce a single person's amount of work.Issues like this is exactly why I began development on Puro first instead of the larger project that follows — Even when you think you have a good idea of how long everything takes, there are ALWAYS variables you don't expect until you work on a larger, more fleshed out project. I knew it wasn't going to go smoothly as I had hoped, I just didn't know how.

SO HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING INSTEAD
I'll be shooting to release more of a stand-alone "sandbox" build, which contains a large number of core elements, a handful of puzzles and items, and a combat room of some sort, an interactable NPC or two — and, due to demand, the pettable Snapper. This build will be updated as features are added and issues are fixed in the main project. I'm also going to look into seeing if there's a way to get the build to self-update, instead of requiring people download entire builds every time. 

IS IT GOING TO BE BUGGY?
Game development is sometimes like wandering through a glass maze at a carnival — the goal always seems more straightforward than it is, you can only discover most obstacles by walking directly into them, and your father is filming the whole thing and laughing so loudly that you'd swear you'll never enter this damn maze ever, ever again, if they didn't install that cool rotating tunnel tube at the end of it. Which is to say, hopefully it won't be full of them, but it'll definitely HAVE them.A major reason for the release is because any game in early-mid development is going to have bugs. Bugs that, more often than not, become harder to fix the further the game is in development. Thus, the sooner I can squash them, the better. People with alternate controllers may experience more issues than others, as I am unable to test said controllers myself — such issues with be fixed as they're discovered.

WHAT ABOUT THE SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT ITSELF?
In case this Patreon's earnings doesn't reach its next goal, I am currently seeking additional funding from a small, independent publisher for the sole purpose of paying at least a composer and an additional, art...doer, to expedite development and also give in a nicer coat of polish. In the case this happens, my primary source of income for myself (to pay bills, etc) will remain Patreon, so none of this is going anywhere.
I am deeply sorry for this, and remain very very grateful for your continued support and input!! ♥♥♥