Dev Log #60 - Small setback + what to expect!

Hi all! Welcome to the 60th dev log! I hope everyone is doing well! I'll be keeping this dev log short and brief but also explain briefly on a small shift in the release date! Let's get going!

The release date is set for 17th December!
There will be a 2-day delay on the release of Episode 2, moving from 15th December to 17th December. I understand this is a disappointment to some as this is me going past my promised deadline of no later than 15th December, and I apologize for this.

The reason for these additional 2 days is strictly for the polishing of the story elements as well as the individual scenes that tie everything together. While the strength of every individual scene is presented as I want them to be, there are some weak points when they are chained together, and I'll be using these two days to ensure that each of these links presents a complete and cohesive story experience, be it a conversation-focused scene or in any H-scene. I will be taking the time to work on and refine these dialogue links.

As before, I deeply apologize for this extension of the release date. If your subscription renews between the 14th and 18th day of the month, do let me know privately and I will refund you the cost of this current month!

What to expect
On 17th December, the Alpha version of Episode 2 will be released and will contain the following:
- The 7-day continuation of Cara in Creekmaw, picking up from the end of Episode 1.
- Continuation of existing mysteries as well as brand new mysteries as Cara starts to be entwined in the happenings around Creekmaw.
- 3 free-roam sections of varying lengths (small, medium, and large), where Cara can freely roam about.
- New multi-choice mechanic: Expanding on the concept of player choice, there will be key moments in the Episode where picking one character over another will lead Cara down a rabbit hole of unique scenes and dialogue! Who can Cara trust? Who will you make Cara trust?
- Impregnation mechanic: The consequences of fooling around will start to sow the seeds for new life, whether Cara wants it or not. In fact... maybe this mechanic isn't just for Cara... but who knows?

3 days later (20th December), the Beta version of Episode 2 will be released and will include everything from the Alpha (including any bug fixes) and:
- Questionnaire update; want to start right at Episode 2? Answer a series of questions and you'll be well on your way to enjoying everything the newest episode has to offer!
- 1 optional scene

4 days later (24th December), the Final version of Episode 2 will be released and will include everything from the Beta, and:
- Updated replay gallery; watch each of your favorite scenes play out again whenever you're short on time or if you're just keen on re-experiencing select scenes as Episode 2 looks to add more content to the gallery!
- 1 expanded sub-scene

As an additional note, there will be no dev-log and previews next week (15th December) as I will be in the final stages of development. The next post will be the Alpha release of Episode 2!

What's next?
Once Episode 2 launches fully on 24th December (without any major game-breaking bugs), I will be taking a break till the end of the year and come back once 2024 rolls along!

For January, I will be mainly looking to fix any bugs that have arisen during my time away and to begin work on a complete game guide. While the in-game guide does serve that basic function, I believe Cara in Creekmaw will be big enough that the surface-level information that the in-game guide provides will eventually prove to be useless.

I will also draft a roadmap for 2024, which will list the key milestones that I aim to achieve throughout the year and give every one of you a glimpse into what I have planned for Cara in Creekmaw and beyond!

For now, I'll be heading back to finish up on Episode 2! In the meantime, here's a sneak peek of the new menu screen for the new episode!

Thank you and stay safe!