Progress Report 2024.06.27: An Overview of What Has Been Done and What Needs to Get Done

This Post Contains Spoilers for the Current Version of Episode 3

Hi all, 

I hope you have all had a fantastic June! I do apologize for the silence this month; I have been trying my best to get this next update done, but as the current section is very complex in terms of cross-referencing previous events and continuity states, that means it is going slower than anticipated and I don’t have much to share from it without spoiling the interesting events.

Game Updates

I wanted to give you a look at what is going on behind-the-scenes. This is a bit similar to previous flow charts I’ve shared, but this time the chart is an overview of the full scope of Episode 3. Anything in red hasn’t been completed yet; sections in blues or browns have, but may have some additions pending.

The section I am currently working on is Escape Version 1 and Escape Version 2. Version 1 is finished, but I need to finish Version 2 before I can update. It is too late in the month for me to speed through editing what I do have and code it; ideally, I would like to shift away from late month updates and have them earlier in the month (I am aiming for July 5th for the next small update). 

I am saving the finales until the other red sections are finished. Though similar events occur in both of them, the consequences of the player character’s actions are going to catch up to them here. Which ending you get will also determine which companion character you meet next (Ending A = Alexia, Ending B = Ren, Ending C = Calla).   

I am very excited to get to the end of Episode 3. It’s taken 2 years of consistent effort and work to get the episode to where it is now while navigating some serious setbacks due to my personal health and family emergencies. This episode is taking a long time because of how complex Episode 2 endings were; it’s been a ripple effect of choice -> consequence that has made it grow way past what was on the original outline. I am cutting things out as much as I can, but to simplify what I do have would create even more work since I would have to scrap existing material and then write around the gap. Additionally, there is only so many choices I want to pull back on—this game is built on the concept of choice, and to take that away would turn this episode into a linear novel. The fact of the matter is that I can’t write the same way I did when I developed Episodes 1 and 2—writing 60,000-80,000 words a month just isn’t feasible anymore. 

I am very ready to be done with Episode 3, but there is still a lot of work to do.

Other Updates

Patreon has made some changes to the platform and I am considering making two changes that will affect you: 

• Making annual subscriptions available. I still need to go over the details of how these work, but I have been thinking about making these an option for a while now—the short version is that an annual subscription will be at a discounted price for the tier you select. You can expect a post sometime in July before I implement them.

• Switching to a subscription model. Right now, the payment model my Patreon uses charges on the first of the month regardless of when you sign up. This has served me well and I know this is the model that many of my patrons prefer; however, I have reached a point where I think the new model will serve my work better in the long run. This model means you are charged on the date from when you signed up rather than on the first of the month (i.e. if you subbed on June 15 then your next charge would occur on July 15 rather than July 1). 

I will not be making this change immediately as I need some time to think about it and go over the pros and cons. If you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments below! 

Thank you all so much for your support. 💖