Devlog #7: Hum Hum Hum
Hey everyone!
I know it's been a long time, but I wanted to create a proper devlog for some work I've done lately for ACS. 4 YEARS. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN 4 YEARS? I think it's difficult to be honest about my thoughts and feelings about my own projects without defaulting to a more professional voice. So, speaking honestly here.
What happened in 4 years? I made some games with my friend Walt (Love Me Love Me Not, Mindread, which you guys should play)... made the Gladston Valley demo and planned out a number of other stories I have in the back burner. I moved, got afflicted with mysterious health conditions, graduated with a bachelors, enjoyed life, pivoted careers and now I'm back in school AGAIN hoping to enter the medical field while working a day job or two. I read a lot of books. Purchased a new computer for the first time in 6 years (l live in squalor) which is massively going to help with this whole dev thing. The amount of writing I've done has also massively increased, and going back to the ACS script has been more fruitful than it's ever been.
So you're writing the script again? For those curious, the game's script currently sits at 60,000 words which is, in fact, my estimated word count for the complete game. The total is likely going to be closer to 70,000+ as I'm going back through to smooth out uneven story beats and to ensure the quality of the game is as entertaining as the demo. Had I released the game 4 years ago, I think the romance and story would be extremely half-baked and unsatisfying for the sake of me wanting it to be over with. I've arrived at a point with the story where I'm satisfied enough to start drafting CGs, UI and finishing its remaining sprites which hey! If you like devlogs there will be more to come.
Cool! What's the timeline? Happy you asked, I think the full script will be completed in about 2 months or so (mostly due to rewriting and formatting). As for the full game, I'm not too sure. It depends on how long the art takes and if life decides to get in the way. Which feels bizarre to say after so long. I would preferably like to release it before 2027. A Cottage Story just might be real guys.
Hum, hum, hum... Only thing is, I'm not sure that the full game will be free. It would be nice to make some money from it and publish it on steam to help develop future games. I made the game as a short side project over the summer to destress from college. I was 20 years old, and never really considered myself a writer outside of visual novels. I never imagined that it would be as popular as it is. I've really spent an unfathomably long time on this game, and it's sitting on what is likely hundreds of hours of discarded drafts. I want to release a cleaned-up web version here on itch.io in the near future, too. The game of course won't be very expensive. I appreciate all of the support and love people have given it over the years, and want to give it a proper, polished release.
When will I see my blorbos again? RIGHT NOW!!
Sorry, I'll get around to drawing Klafka.
Thanks if you read this whole thing. I appreciate the love and support as always.