DevBlog + Roadmap: The March towards the End

Hey guys,

The year is nearing its end and it's time for another post to let you know where we're at, what we're working on, what's our imminent release schedule as well as the broader road ahead.

Recapping from previous Roadmap:

For 2022 the big goals were fleshing out Chapter 2 until it can be completed as well as starting Chapter 3 and setting course for the final destination(s) of Alex's journey. I am happy to say that these goals are mostly achieved - chapter 2 can now be completed and has a fair bit of meat on the bones, and Chapter 3 has been started with design notes now pretty much stretching towards the end of the story. 

What we're currently working on

Right now our efforts are in two directions - backfilling on any important and still pending content from Chapter 1 and 2, and pushing Chapter 3 towards The Endings.

The first part includes things like the long delayed Servitude trait (see attachment for a sneak peak) as well as fleshing out the relationship with some of the class B characters like Ionut or the Wolf. This is due for the current patch - 0.4.03

The endings are a large undertaking but I'm hoping that if all goes well the patch after this one - 04.04 - will come with the first ever True Ending to the story.

What's the current release schedule?

Right now I am still juggling writing with helping take care of a 2 month old baby, so sleep and free time have been somewhat harder to come by. To avoid crashing/burning out in this final stretch of the journey, I will be taking the last 2 weeks of December off to recharge and spend the holidays with family.

In light of these circumstances, I think that the best approach would be to space out patches 0.4.03 and 0.4.04 on a month-and-a-half cycle like the two previous ones. I do apologize for anyone eager for more content this week, but it's a necessary evil to allow me to stay sane right now and carry on work on a regular (albeit slower) pace.

With this in mind, the updates will be as follows:

DECEMBER 17-18: Patch 0.4.03 - I will use the extra time beef it up and give you something to sink your teeth in (pun intended) over the holidays as the last update for 2022

JANUARY END: Patch 0.4.04 - This will come with a major update to Chapter 3 (which we've already started work one) and you will be able to complete the game for the first time, reaching one of the True Endings.

What's the Roadmap for 2023?

As many of you expect, Transylvania was always meant to have multiple endings in accordance with your choices throughout the game and especially in the final showdown in Chapter 3. While the first patch of 2023 will bring the first ending to the game, it won't be the last. The following months will gradually expand on the options of Chapter 3 and bring you other ways to conclude the story.

Right now we are targeting May 2023 (give or take) for version 0.5 of the game. This means that all endings will be in place and you will be able to play Transylvania start to finish and experience a personalized version of Alex's story tailored to your choices and desires.

Why is this version 0.5 and not 1.0?

For me there is still a lot left to do, and a lot I'd like to do given the time and resources available. There are things that have been pushed to the side to allow focus on having a completed story and experience (even if imperfect), rather than getting stuck in limbo for years. Here are the things that I'd like to focus on after the endings are done, in no particular order:

-finishing the soundtrack for the game and implementing it with personal scores for every major character and location, as well as their intimate scenes;

-fleshing out alternative routes to progress the game, such as the Dominant path, as well as an even more Bimbo route for those that wish to push this further;

-updating early art and early scenes to the level of quality that we have managed to reach with current resources, including more animations, interactive scenes, scenes that adapt to your outfit and accessories, etc;

-writing more content for existing characters / scenes and introducing even more choices and variations to existing paths;

Of course, when the time comes, we will be reaching out to all of you with polls and questions so we can better determine which features and improvements are most valuable to you and what should be prioritized when fleshing and polishing towards the final version 1.0

As always with infinite thanks for everyone playing and supporting the game,

Vincent & XFiction Team

P.S. If you have comments, questions or feedback for the above, please post below, I will respond to everyone.