SpaceSave Dev Blog

A blog about developing "SpaceSave" - a free-roam, turn-based, modern-day themed RPG Maker game. [COMPLETED, BUT STILL UPDATING!] May reblog something not SpaceSave-related once in a while... Blog header by: Pequod

[sunset-rain-game]

Full version release - this Friday!

Hello!

Sorry for the period of long silence, but I had a good reason - finishing the translation! And... I did!

Sunset Rain - a surreal mystery adventure RPG Maker game - will be released this Friday, on 10/25, ending over 5 years long! development cycle(including the actual dev + translation) and I'm excited to see how you all like it!

I'll come back to you when the time comes, with a link to the game, but until that day comes - have a nice day!

And if you don't know what's the game is about here are:

DESCRIPTION

DEMO(SAVES SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE TRANSFERRED)

[spacesave-game]

Reminder - the full version of the English translation of Sunset Rain - my new game - is coming out this Friday! It's a surreal mystery adventure game/visual novel and if you liked SpaceSave, perhaps you will find some similarities and references in the story!

I hope you'll be eager to try it out, when it releases!

[sunset-rain-game]

Sunset Rain English Demo has been released!

Released one day earlier than planned, because Mysteries just cannot wait to be solved!

Hello!

I am very happy to announce that the demo of the Sunset Rain's English translation has been(finally) released! This demo contains the first 4 chapters of the game(and a bit of the 5th chapter), which should take a handful of hours to complete.

You can download it(alongside the original full Polish version, if you can understand it) here:

ITCH.IO

rpgmaker.net

I hope you all will enjoy this demo and that it will give you a good taste of the full version, which should release in 2024! Let me know what you think, after playing - I'd love to hear your impressions!

Some screenshots:

[sunset-rain-game]

A weekend reminder.

Also, forgot to mention that saves from this version should be able to work on the full one, when it releases.

[spacesave-game]

SpaceSave is now 5!

Please, try to enjoy this anniversary art.

So, yeah - my first game - SpaceSave - was released on this day, half a decade ago. You probably don’t know what I’m talking about, in that case - welcome! I hope you’ll bear with my ramblings and shilling attempts.

What can I say - as mentioned before, this is my first game. It’s ugly as sin, janky(and only partially because of RPG Maker) and edgy. Patches could only do so much. But, it was, ultimately, my debut title, one I’ve spent a little over 2 years developing and so - it’s hard to me not to have fondness for this messy, little game. I’ve learnt a lot during its development and it gave me a ground work for my other games, which share a lot of the same DNA and design elements - counsciously implemented or not...

Still, I’m glad there are people who played and enjoyed the game. It’s nice to see someone else who can vibe with the work, even if it’s far for perfect. And I hope more people will happen to experience it too, especially since for a long time I’ve been planning a new version or even a remaster, with the main goal to greatly update the visuals, add original music and improve some more... notorious elements. I think the game is very playable in its current state, on the latest version 1.4 , but it could certainly benefit from this “ultimate polish”.

I’ve been promising it for years at this point and I know it’s a long time coming, but just this year I’ve managed to finish my second big game - SUNSET RAIN - and I am now in process of translating it to English. It will take at least half a year, or even more time, but after that - I guess it will be a good time for me to finally return to this violent, "semi-surreal” cosmic horror story, starring kids, aliens and bad humour. Hopefully, this will finally bring you a definitive edition of SpaceSave - one, I think, I’m finally ready to make, with my current dev experience.

Anyway, this is getting a little long-winded. I want to thank everyone who’ve played SpaceSave and I hope you enjoyed your time with it! And if you didnt... give it a try, if you want! It’s been five years but it’s never too late!

DOWNLOAD SPACESAVE HERE FOR FREE:

https://sadpinkstar.itch.io/spacesave

CHECK OUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MY OTHER GAME:

https://sunset-rain-game.tumblr.com/

[spacesave-game]

SpaceSave, v. 1.5. Music Presentation

Hello!

I’ve promised some SpaceSave 1.5. content before the year ends and I (this time) deliver!

In the last post, one of the plans I had for version 1.5 is a new, original soundtrack for the game and so - I’ve prepared some examples for you, what to expect. Give it a listen, if you want to:

I hope you enjoy it. It may not be very good, but hey - at least version 1.5. of SpaceSave will not sound like a youtube essay anymore...! Well, I’d appreciate some feedback nonetheless, if you have any!

I guess that’s it - Happy New Year!

[spacesave-game]

SpaceSave 4th anniversary!

This 2017-2021 label kinda looks like a gravestone. That’s kind of fitting and cool and edgy and...

So, yeah - hello! These last two years or so, I’ve been totally engrossed in developing my other game, but how could I just forget the first one? I mean - it’s been 4 years since I’ve launched it and about 2 since last proper update, so a lot of time has passed, but it’s still a little surreal to me, that I’ve even managed to release it in the first place.

This year, I will address the issue of the new update - version 1.5, which I’ve been announcing from... I guess, the last update? For now I can say, that I still work on it(albeit with months-long breaks - the new game takes priority) and have finally agreed with myself on the list of features I will want to include. These are (from least to most important[and also - most time consuming for me]):

Improved technical stuff(some of it, like better volume levels are already implemented)

Slightly better graphics (improvements on tilesets and icons)

Remaking some battler graphics, since a few of them are badly compressed, for some reason

Better writing in places

(at least partial) Original soundtrack

Complete remake of the optional dungeon, from scratch

That’s basically it. For the last big update - I think it should be fine and when it’s complete - me and you can finally have a final (I wanted to write definitive, but it’s a dirty word these days...) edition of SpaceSave. I’m considering releasing a smaller update, when I’m done with the first four of these bullet-points, but no promises here. Basically - I will try to release that update... someday, since I’m very busy with my very serious, adult life right now and I can only really spare time to work on one project, at a time. That being said - since I’ve already done some changes to the game and planned out all of the stuff I wanted to include - I hope I will be able to release it, in the next two years or so. I will certainly go full speed ahead on SpaceSave, once Sunset Rain is all done and translated.

To not leave you without anything, on this anniversary post - I actually will let you guys take a sneak peak on one of the plans for the update. Literally. It’s a design for a remade optional dungeon. Made in a professional software and compressed/blurred considerably as to not ruin the mystery, but it should be pretty noticeable that the plan is much more complex than any other dungeon in the game:

I hope, as it is optional, that it will be a hard, but a fun challenge for any willing player, as opposed to the slog it is in the game now. The only thing left to do, is to actually implement it into the game, but hey - we have all the time in the world (or at least, before I die)! That being said - I will try to give you a more detailed development post about the new version, soon - at the end of December/start of January, maybe...?

I guess that’s all from me this year, so I’ll get back to work. Thank you very much for reading and playing SpaceSave! If you want to revisit/get to know the game for the first time, here are all the links you need:

DOWNLOAD LINK

SPACESAVE SHORT STORY

Enjoy the game and have a nice day!

[sunset-rain-game]

Happy to report that recently I’ve finished (content and gameplay-wise) the third and penultimate chapter of the game! Now - only the last chapter remains…

It’s the most important chapter of the story and frankly - I’m pretty tired after half a year of work on the last one, so I need to restore some of that energy… Yeah, I guess I’ll just hit the bar…

Cheers!

[sunset-rain-game]

This one’s kind of an oldie and I’ve seen it hundreds of times during testing already, but still proud of it - a map opening animation.

[sunset-rain-game]

Meeting with the members of Nobility. Do they have a Key to the Secret of Heaven Gate? Can these powerful people even be trusted?

[sunset-rain-game]

Character Showcase: Dave Smith - the Problem Solver

Our fantastic art team has finally finished the first portrait for the game! Because of that - we’re happy to present the main character of Sunset Rain:

DAVE SMITH - “The Problem Solver”

Click the image for the full size

Age: 24

Occupation: Freelance investigator, “Problem Solver”

Affiliation: Independent, hired by the Heaven Gate Hotel

Young “Problem Solver” - a man hired to take care of various “Problems” for his clients. His current assignment is to uncover the Secret of Heaven Gate.

A well-meaning, but sometimes cynical and ill-tempered man. Possesses Devil’s Luck, keen eyes and various tools to clear many obstacles, in his way to a solution of a problem. Somewhat a loser, but gets the job done… eventually.

CREDITS:

The Legendary Second Artist (they do not wish to reveal their identity at the moment)- Character Portrait Art

DisFunctionalKarrmel - Character Design

[sunset-rain-game]

A White Void beyond reality.

Are dark secrets it holds even comprehensible?

[sunset-rain-game]

Sunset Rain - Game Announcement

Sunset Rain - a mystery Adventure/Visual Novel game, made in RPG Maker VX Ace.

GAME DESCRIPTION

Dave Smith - a young, down-on-his-luck “Problem Solver”, receives a new job from a mysterious client. His new “Problem to solve” is to uncover the Mystery of Heaven Gate - a town abandoned in mysterious circumstances and transformed into a tourist attraction.

By chance - Dave becomes trapped in town covered in eternal rain and entangled in a net of secrets and conspiracies, which concentrate in the town’s central location - the Hotel, where allegedly, it is impossible to die.

SUNSET RAIN is a mystery Adventure game, with elements of Visual Novel and Puzzle game, inspired (probably too much, please don’t sue) by Flower, Sun, and Rain, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Ace Attorney.

Uncover The Mystery of Heaven Gate - explore the hotel and abandoned town, conduct investigations, talk to the guests, seek answers beyond reality… and solve the problem!

FEATURES

Multifaceted, dark, mysterious story, where nothing is as it seems. Find the answers to the madness, solve the Problem!

A true Adventure Game - explore, make your own notes, gather information and evidence, examine found items, solve diverse puzzles

Meet a colorful gallery of intriguing characters - hotel guests, staff and other people who, for different reasons, ended up in Heaven Gate. Everyone has their own story, personality, problems and most importantly - hidden secrets. Uncover them, using a keyword-based dialogue system

Original art and music, giving the game its distinct sense of style

MEDIA

Check out the TRAILER:

[WARNING: This trailer contains swear words, blood and a possible loud noise at 1:19]

CHECK OTHER SCREENSHOTS ON THE SCREENSHOT PAGE

CREDITS

Game development by Sad Pink Star (SpaceSave dev blog)

DisFunctionalKarrmel - game design, writing, game development, additional music Pequod - music, additional sound-design, character portraits, initial tests A Legendary Second Artist - character portraits Nemi - music Donut -  initial tests, voice clips

[spacesave-game]

Hello!

I’ve finally announced the game I’ve been working for quite some time. Please, take a look if you’re interested!

[spacesave-game]

Day -10220 - A SpaceSave Short Story

Hey, good people!

I promised something for you for the SpaceSave’s 3rd anniversary and after a few delays and some casual crunching - here it is! It may be something that you didn’t expect…

So, yeah - I’ve decided to write a short story, using some of the ideas I had for an expansion I’ve planned some years ago, which unfortunately didn’t come to fruition. I’ve added some new ideas I had over the years, too, for good measure. Hopefully - it will enrich the world of SpaceSave, established in the game. It’s a prequel too, so you don’t have to play the game beforehand to read it!

Don’t be scared by the length of the thing - it’s mostly big font and pictures. The text itself has around 23 pages. I’ve tried to write it, in a style present in the game itself and it’s 90% dialogue-based, so think of it as a long cutscene, of sorts…

Enjoy!

WARNING

This short story contains violence and strong language. Reader’s discretion is advised.

LINK TO THE SHORT STORY:

READ SPACESAVE: DAY -10220

By the way - I’ve officially started working on version 1.5. ! Hopefully it will be relased this year! It will be, also, probably the last substantial update to the game and if they ever will be more - they will focus exclusively on bug-fixing and maybe - replacing the soundtrack.

Oh, and btw - I’ve changed the description of the game on every site I’ve uploaded it on. Just sayin’.

And traditionally… If you’re interested in the game HERE ARE THE DOWNLOAD LINKS.

[spacesave-game]

Day -10220 - A SpaceSave Short Story

Hey, good people!

I promised something for you for the SpaceSave’s 3rd anniversary and after a few delays and some casual crunching - here it is! It may be something that you didn’t expect...

So, yeah - I’ve decided to write a short story, using some of the ideas I had for an expansion I’ve planned some years ago, which unfortunately didn’t come to fruition. I’ve added some new ideas I had over the years, too, for good measure. Hopefully - it will enrich the world of SpaceSave, established in the game. It’s a prequel too, so you don’t have to play the game beforehand to read it!

Don’t be scared by the length of the thing - it’s mostly big font and pictures. The text itself has around 23 pages. I’ve tried to write it, in a style present in the game itself and it’s 90% dialogue-based, so think of it as a long cutscene, of sorts...

Enjoy!

WARNING

This short story contains violence and strong language. Reader’s discretion is advised.

LINK TO THE SHORT STORY:

READ SPACESAVE: DAY -10220

By the way - I’ve officially started working on version 1.5. ! Hopefully it will be relased this year! It will be, also, probably the last substantial update to the game and if they ever will be more - they will focus exclusively on bug-fixing and maybe - replacing the soundtrack.

Oh, and btw - I’ve changed the description of the game on every site I’ve uploaded it on. Just sayin’.

And traditionally... If you’re interested in the game HERE ARE THE DOWNLOAD LINKS.

[spacesave-game]

3 years of SpaceSave!(+ more)

Hello, people!

Today(probably around the same hour, too) marks the third anniversary of uploading the first version of SpaceSave and with that - the official release of the game! Fast forward to the time of writing and the game is now on version 1.4 and enjoyed 381 downloads so far, from all the sites I’ve uploaded it on, along with fair share of positive reviews(which, to be honest, I didn’t initially expect).

It was my first game and the first project of that scale, I have managed to ever finish, so it’s pretty close to my heart. Yeah, the game was janky and really rough and today I would probably change literally every single thing about it - but I still think fondly of my time spent working on this project. And, I hope - I’ve managed to even out a jankiness a little, with patches that followed the release of the game.

As for the future-related stuff - the version 1.5 will be released… Someday.

Unfortunately - this year was rather lacking for SpaceSave. First thing is - I’ve decided to concentrate fully on my adventure game project(which, btw - you can see some teaser screenshots from, on my Twitter or on this very blog, if you want) and the new game is coming about pretty good(I plan to announce it, next year - hopefully). Second thing - this year I’ve also, unexpectedly(for me included), released a brand new short game. It was much smaller project and took around 2 months in total to make, but the development was pretty intense and time consuming, anyway. So, yeah - there wasn’t really time to sit down to SpaceSave again and prepare a new update, this year.

I will say, however, that there are still issues in SpaceSave, which constantly haunt my brain and probably - I won’t know peace, until I improve on them… So - I’m still not done with this game, yet! I will release version 1.5, one day - even if it will take 3 more years… But, hopefully, it will be released in a more timely manner.

That being said - I won’t leave you this year, with no new SpaceSave content…!

Well, at least not a playable SpaceSave content… You see, there was something I planned to release alongside the third anniversary, but unfortunately - the life and college got in the way these past few weeks, so I couldn’t finish it on time… Thankfully - the most important part is practically done and I think the rest won’t take more than two weeks(but, I’ll try to release it ASAP). So - if you liked SpaceSave and want more of its world - stay tuned!

Sorry for a lengthy post, but the situation demanded it… I’m almost done here. Before I finish - I’d like to thank all the people that played the game, gave me feedback or spread a word about it(or all three!). I’d also like to thank my friends for their support while creating this game and the next ones(especially Donut and Pequod for help with testing and their other contributions to the project). I hope that you’ve enjoyed playing SpaceSave and if you haven’t…

Well, here are the links:

https://spacesave-game.tumblr.com/download

Again - thank you all for your support and I hope you will continue(or start) following my projects - whether they’re SpaceSave-related or not.

Have a nice day!

[spacesave-game]

3 years of SpaceSave!(+ more)

Hello, people!

Today(probably around the same hour, too) marks the third anniversary of uploading the first version of SpaceSave and with that - the official release of the game! Fast forward to the time of writing and the game is now on version 1.4 and enjoyed 381 downloads so far, from all the sites I’ve uploaded it on, along with fair share of positive reviews(which, to be honest, I didn’t initially expect).

It was my first game and the first project of that scale, I have managed to ever finish, so it’s pretty close to my heart. Yeah, the game was janky and really rough and today I would probably change literally every single thing about it - but I still think fondly of my time spent working on this project. And, I hope - I’ve managed to even out a jankiness a little, with patches that followed the release of the game.

As for the future-related stuff - the version 1.5 will be released... Someday.

Unfortunately - this year was rather lacking for SpaceSave. First thing is - I’ve decided to concentrate fully on my adventure game project(which, btw - you can see some teaser screenshots from, on my Twitter or on this very blog, if you want) and the new game is coming about pretty good(I plan to announce it, next year - hopefully). Second thing - this year I’ve also, unexpectedly(for me included), released a brand new short game. It was much smaller project and took around 2 months in total to make, but the development was pretty intense and time consuming, anyway. So, yeah - there wasn’t really time to sit down to SpaceSave again and prepare a new update, this year.

I will say, however, that there are still issues in SpaceSave, which constantly haunt my brain and probably - I won’t know peace, until I improve on them... So - I’m still not done with this game, yet! I will release version 1.5, one day - even if it will take 3 more years... But, hopefully, it will be released in a more timely manner.

That being said - I won’t leave you this year, with no new SpaceSave content...!

Well, at least not a playable SpaceSave content... You see, there was something I planned to release alongside the third anniversary, but unfortunately - the life and college got in the way these past few weeks, so I couldn’t finish it on time... Thankfully - the most important part is practically done and I think the rest won’t take more than two weeks(but, I’ll try to release it ASAP). So - if you liked SpaceSave and want more of its world - stay tuned!

Sorry for a lengthy post, but the situation demanded it... I’m almost done here. Before I finish - I’d like to thank all the people that played the game, gave me feedback or spread a word about it(or all three!). I’d also like to thank my friends for their support while creating this game and the next ones(especially Donut and Pequod for help with testing and their other contributions to the project). I hope that you’ve enjoyed playing SpaceSave and if you haven’t...

Well, here are the links:

https://spacesave-game.tumblr.com/download

Again - thank you all for your support and I hope you will continue(or start) following my projects - whether they’re SpaceSave-related or not.

Have a nice day!

[spacesave-game]

Happy Halloween!

Hey folks!

It’s spooky night again! And what better way to celebrate than playing or watching something spooky?

All right, I’ll cut to the chase. My last game - Shadow in The Lens - was released around 6 months ago. It’s a surreal, horror-flavoured adventure game. Because of that, I figured -  what’s a better time to play it(or replay it) than tonight? It’s really short, so it may be a nice appetizer, before continuing with the good stuff.

Anyway, if you’re interested: HERE’S THE LINK .

Yup, it has a spooky forest, too!

Regarding my other projects - some cool info will be coming soon, in the, maybe not the nearest, but certainly in the future!

I guess, that’s all from me. And, however you all will be spending it - have a nice night and be safe!

[spacesave-game]

Hey guys!

I’ll just make a quick shout-out today.

My friend has finally released the definitive version of his game and it just so happens that I was a tester for it. Multiple times in fact. In the span of around two years, while it was developed...

Anyway, since I was involved in it, in a way, I thought I’d let you all know. Here’s the link to the game:

https://vodun.itch.io/utopia-vii-pixel-perfekt

There is, also, a SpaceSave easter egg in this game(or, it was, the last time I checked)! Can you find it? The game’s all right, too, I guess...

That’s all for now. Don’t forget to give my friend’s game a try, if you’re interested! Have a great weekend, everyone!