Development blog for Steamberry Studio, a visual novel developer. Here, we will post images, snippets and updates related to our projects. Thanks for following!
Same anon who suggested the fun lil idea of the Je Aen romance route here. o/ That’s understandable that you didn’t add his route. I didn’t mean to make that ask seem like you had to do that btw, (realized that it might’ve sounded that way after I sent it) it was a fun hypothetical thought that came to my mind.
Oh I didn't take it that way really!
While there are some requests I think I (and a lot of other devs I know) are wary of because we associate them with bad faith or because they clearly aren't accounting for how complicated some features are to implement, I usually take route related requests/suggestions with a grain of salt since most players know how much work adding a new route is.
One of the things that made me give on a Je Aen route early on was just the fact it would have needed a whole new set of BGs unless he also joined the crew of The Ophelia (which....honestly would have been hilarious but improbable. LoL). 🤣🤣🤣
So I've been slowly going through all the endings for WSC and I have a question of the utmost importance mild curiosity.
Wedding rings.
What would they look like? Who goes for classic gold, who goes for an alternative (silver, black, tattoos?) and do any of their cultures possibly have their own ways of showing the bond of marriage instead of rings? (If you didn't think that deep about them I totally get it. You can ignore this then.)
I didn't really delve deeply into wedding rituals for the cultures. I started but then just had so much other stuff to do. I did get as far as Daaz's culture doing ceremonial bathing together as part of their wedding rituals but never got around to writing it into the game.
I think I was going to give his people earrings/ear cuffs instead of wedding rings.
Veleians probably don't do a physical item to wear. I would imagine that married couples have more of telepathic marker that occurs - maybe something that isn't even deliberate (or didn't start deliberate) but just stems from being together so intimately.)
Myloriens are more likely to have a ring or bracelet I suppose since they don't tend to adorn their ears. Hands are convenient because they're very visible, which is the point of wearing something that shows you're "attached" but if I go any deeper than this it's just making stuff up on the fly.
Just a little idea I think would’ve been a fun addition to the When Stars Collide; make Je Aen a secret final romance option. Like, you know how in some otome games you have to do all the other routes in order to get the ‘true ending’ finale route to the game? Yeah, I’m thinking if Je Aen was a romance option in this game, it’d be like that.
I did consider that but I just didn't want to add 100000 words to a game already over 600000. Sometimes I can't resist adding additional LIs (*cough Kav cough*) but in this case it was just more work than I wanted.
The one longer ending with Je Aen was my offering to his fans. ha ha.
To be honest, it's difficult to image how a route with Je Aen would even go. I leave it to the fanfic writers if they want to take it up though!
In my last post here I had started Chapter 4 of Zen's route. I'm currently part of the way through Chapter 10; that sounds like an insane amount of work but is less than you think. I restructured some of the early chapters, which were quite long and broke some of them up into smaller chapters.
I did that once and jumped from starting Chapter 5 to Starting chapter 6 in an instant. And then I did it again and went from finishing Chapter 8 to instantly starting Chapter 10 in an instant.
The big milestone this week was hitting 600k. I have been writing really fast; I mentioned that I wanted to try my best to make as much progress as possible before September hits.
Right now I'm holding to that pretty well. I've hit around 20k words each week for the past two weeks (I haven't hit 20k this week yet but I have about 1000 words to write today to hit my minimum goal and I'm less than that from 20k so I should be crossing that threshold before the day is out.)
I am still a while from being able to release the demo, I just received one completed BG; there's one more in sketch format.
Including the sketch, I have 6 more full BGs + 2 cut-in style (IE, they're way smaller/partial BGs) backgrounds. It's not quite an even split between the two of them. One artist has 3 to complete, the other has 3 + the 2 cut ins (so let's call it 4).
It's very difficult to predict when those will be complete. Could be 9 more weeks, could be 12 more weeks...
It just depends on how busy they are. But progress is happening.
I have been working on some sprite variations - mostly alt outfits and stuff. I'll show some of those in a couple of weeks!
Anyway, here are some scattered screenshots of different moments throughout the game. I'm still somewhat limited in what I can show as I still am missing some BGs from the early chapters and many of the scenes take place in the shop, but If eel like you do start to get the vibe of the game. The BGs are very brown. I think I may start requesting brighter colours - at least for rooftops and the like.
Next Couple of Weeks Development-wise:
Writing, of course.
I may put a little more focus on getting the expressions done too. But like I said, I really want to make a ton of progress on the writing while I can.
Cross-Promo:
If you hadn't seen it, I am doing a cross promo with some other devs who have made some cool games - some of which you've definitely heard of and some of which you may not know about.
You can find links to all the games on the Itch page for WSC so please do check them out. I believe all these games are on steam as well.
We're looking for two new, short-term (one until October, the other for the rest of 2026) artists to work on BTMO and an unannounced fantasy adventure visual novel.
If you're interested in drawing CGs (primarily for promotional purposes) for BTMO, you can read more and apply here.
If you're interested in designing characters for a European-style fantasy romance visual novel, you can read more and apply here.
Can you give any hints to your next project? I'm just starting WSC, but your games have been a favorite of mine since Changeling.
It's difficult responding to vague requests like "give hints" because I believe I've explained the premise and shown character profiles. If you want hints beyond that, I will need to know what they are! (oﾟvﾟ)ノ
hello! i love your games but i'm having a hard time getting all the endings in WSC, when do you think a complete guide will be available? it's probably not in your current priorities at all but i was just wondering. thank you for all your hard work!
I'm not sure that I intend to revisit the guide for all the endings. It's incredibly time consuming to work them out and I am already neck deep in my next project.
I can give advice on specific endings if you need it.
I've been working on the player dashboard section of the website recently.
For a long time, this was a section that wouldn't be added until phase two or three, as I was focusing on the game and developer profile submission, but I think adding it now really boosts the site's usability at the beginning.
I've done work in all areas of the website, but this is the one that's closest to being finished.
Lots of additions have been made
Library with a range of play statuses that you can set games to.
Tabs so you can see your games with different statuses
Followed Developers section
Pagination for both sections
Search in both sections
Working on the Developer section of the dashboard now.
I cant remember if you've spoken about this or not but when Valerian uses their magic I know their hair grows as a side effect (for lack of a better word) but does the speed it grows change depending on the power output?
Like if Valerian is doing something very small would it grow a small amount or would it just go from a pixie to waist length? 😆
Thank you so much! Im so excited to see more of Thornewood !!
I guess that's one way to look at it - I tend to view it as amount but "amount per unit of time" is probably the most correct view (so speed and length).
Ultimately it's the same thing.
But yes, either way, the amount their hair grows (or speed that it grows) is proportional to the magic output. The first time they use magic in the game, it grows a lot so they are just full bog-witch mode when the Huntsmen find them.
But that's not the way it always is.
When they are working on potions on a day to day basis, their magic output is small enough that I would say their hair probably just grows about 2 - 3 times the norm (maybe a little more.) But you aren't going to notice that someone's hair grew a 1.5 mm a day instead of .5 mm that day.
But you might notice that, over time, their hair grows quite fast (and Valerian actually says early on in the game that they kept their hair in that long braid because it grew so fast that trying to keep it short was pointless due to the sheer amount of time they spent studying and practicing magic.
If they do a small amount or even a moderate amount of magic, their hair growth isn't as noticeable too. 3cm is an insane amount of hair growth to have in seconds but you're still not going to necessarily notice it straight away and be all "OMG UR HAIR GREW."
And then there is the significant magic use where their hair just breaks containment and goes to their knees...to the ground...wherever.
On the sprite, I think the hair only ever goes to their knees because I just wasn't drawing it longer than that when it won't show. LoL But in the narrative it's definitely long enough to be on the ground at times and they have to awkwardly hack it off with whatever is handy.
Then join the crew of The Ophelia in When Stars Collide by @steamberrystudio, a sci-fi adventure romance VN as you discover ancient secrets, featuring:
7 love interests
669,000 words across all routes
Flowchart and glossary
When Stars Collide is FREE and the full game just released on Steam - check it out today!
Lmao the scene where Khyrri pulls MC into a 'hug' (It looks like a wrestling match from the outside with MC's efforts to pull away and Khyrri clinging like an octopus) I absolutely love their sibling dynamic it reminded me of me and my sister haha
Ha ha. I'm glad people like that moment. It was just a silly little thing I came up with but I felt it really demonstrated exactly who he is and exactly who THEY are as a duo. 🤣🤣
(MC trying to shut the airlock door on him too. LoL)
hi i came in here to say that i made it my year goal to note how much i miss yren every single day and i'm at day 27 now.... I NEED TO FORGET WSC SO I CAN EXPERIENCE IT ALL OVER AGAIN FOE THE FIRST TIME AAAAAAAAAAA you're truly goated and i just wanted u to know that hehehehehe!! <333 i'll be supporting u til the end of time
Ha ha - thank youuuu! I'm glad your year goal is going well. (*^▽^*)
Apparently in June I wrote just over 69,000 words. I've been pushing myself to try to write 2000 words a day (though my minimum goal is a bit lower) so I can capitalise on the free time I have for the next two months, which will be going away when September hits).
As has been true lately, my main focus is writing so I'm not really doing any particular art or anything at the moment, just receiving art from freelancers.
I have received some new BG art but am waiting on loads more still. I think I need at least 6 more for the demo. So we are making progress; it's just very slow.
On the writing front Zen's route is well under way at this point and I'm focusing on trying to get it done by the end of August.
I did record some short videos walking through some of the game features. I've talked about the features a lot - partially because I'm just kind of happy about some of them and also because...I don't have a demo to show off yet as I wait for art...for it.
I apologise for the squeakiness in my voice as the first video starts. That was me being very timid and unused to recording myself and trying to make myself super tiny so no one could perceive me. In a video. That I chose to record.
Just imagine me starting out like 10 inches tall and hiding behind my coffee mug, then growing to my normal size as I start rambling, allowing my voice to descend from the stratosphere somewhat.
(because I forgot to show the glossary after I already said I would)
Next Couple of Weeks Development-wise:
Writing. That's it.
I may do some scattered coding and things as usual but it's just writing. It's the writing doldrums and it's going to last into 2027. I am probably not going to take much of a break from writing before the end of the year as I really want to get as much of the draft done as possible.
When Stars Collide updates:
When Stars Collide finally went live on Steam and I am taking part in a cool cross promo event, which I've already posted about.
If you are a fan of WSC and enjoyed it, please do consider leaving a review over on Steam; it is really helpful for the game and is much appreciated.
This summer, we’re teaming up with a group of talented indie devs encouraging you to Embrace the Unknown and find out!
Step into a curated collection of eleven unforgettable romances featuring monstrous and mysterious LIs, uncharted worlds, dark aesthetics, and more as you experience love that redefines devotion.
Find out more about these tantalizing games under the cut:
A Date With Death 2: REMNANTS by Two and a Half Studios
Congratulations, you’re dead!
A Date with Death 2: REMNANTS is the sequel to the hit chat simulator A Date with Death!
Play as newly created Grim Reaper 0213 in an Underworld hit by revolution. Spend two weeks getting to know your new teammates - 5012, your trainer, and 0204, your fellow trainee.
Create your own custom character, from appearance to pronouns, walk around your base and meet other Grim Reapers, and flirt your way to a number of good and bad endings.
Alaris by Crescence Studio
“A global crisis that only continues to escalate. A dangerous run-in with a shadowy stranger. And a mysterious word that won’t stop gnawing at you.
How does everything tie together? And what role could you possibly play in all of this?
Enter a world of magic—of Fae and Dragon.”
Andromeda Six by Wanderulust Games
Set in the distant future, you take on the role of a lost traveler. With no memory of your past, you wake up on the starship, Andromeda Six, surrounded by its crew of outcasts, each with their own vivid backstory, and one common goal.
You must try to recover the pieces of your past to uncover your true identity and purpose, while learning to survive the political turmoil overtaking the galaxy after its recent terrorist attacks.
On your journey you may end up discovering more than what you bargained for, but can you handle the truth of your past, or will it end up consuming you? Will you follow the destiny the stars have written for you, or forge a new path?
bloodlust.exe by rosesrot
You're the finest vampire hunter in Octania. That is, until you're bitten by a vampire while escaping the Vampire Overlord's hounds.
But you're not dying. No, you're turning — into a vampire, into everything you're not.
It's time for your revenge: join the weird vampire chatroom you were invited to and stake the vampire that bit you. Maybe this will grind your transformation to a halt.
... It's just your luck that they're hot.
Burn the Midnight Oil by Foxglove Games
It's the 80s. Supernaturals flock to the neon-soaked streets of North Haven, where they hide in plain sight amongst the ceaseless nightlife.
Playing as the flirtatious vampire detective Circe or the brash hellhound cop Dante, you must solve cases that threaten to unveil dangerous secrets from our protagonists' own pasts. Investigate murders and vampire conspiracies with Circe or hunt down the source of a deadly magic drug with Dante! Perhaps they might even find love, but beware— some of our love interests may be more monstrous than others.
OBSCURA by Rotten Raccoons
There's a marketplace under the mountain where anything can be bought and sold. Visitors wear masks to become faceless strangers. It's home to the unscrupulous, the outcast, and the desperate.
You're one of the desperate.
Strangers with their own secrets and ambitions can show yo uways through the market. They'll guide you to your goal, but don't trust them to have your best interests at heart.
Ookami Okami by Mushroomallow
You are Akine, a sharp-tongued former Okami (innkeeper) reborn as a bold Ookami (wolf yokai/spirit) with a dangerous talent for flirting–especially with the masked white tiger who saved you.
Enter Shimon, the stoic beauty who is utterly clueless when it comes to emotions. But perhaps, his silence is hiding something.
Your mission? Restore the inn, exorcise wayward spirits, and peel away the layers Shimon hides behind. But beware; his trust is fragile, and every choice you make could heal old wounds–or tear them open wider.
Are you ready to ring the bell and check in?
Save the Villainess by Best Laid Plans Production
Congratulations! You are now in possession of one (1) neurodivergent romance novel villainess!
Unfortunately, neither you nor she remember the bad romance novel you are trapped in… or which character wants her dead.
Guide your amnesiac villainess through mysteries, menacing manors, and (wo)men who may be trying to murder her.
Meet with five suspiciously gorgeous characters and pursue romance, revenge, or revolution.
Can you find clues, fight off foes, calm angry furniture, and escape from eldritch horrors while solving the mystery of this world?
TELLURICENE by DEADline Studios
Welcome Researcher,
An emerging species is taking root—preternatural, highly intelligent, and swiftly spreading.
Classified as the Vivus glomerorum, these new lifeforms threaten to infiltrate our resilient nation. It’s up to our bravest and brightest minds—like you—to investigate and decide: friend or foe?
You have been selected to conduct scientific studies to piece together the truth behind the V. glomerorum. In the wake of a looming TELLURICENE, you will have an intensive ten days to decide whether this new era comes to fruition or is forever halted. Your great nation thanks you for volunteering in Project Sporesight. May we endure under your guiding hand.
Under Heaven or Hell by Moonlust Games
You wake up in Hell with no memory of how you got there, and no clear way out.
To return home, you will have to survive the brutal politics of this realm and forge alliances with two dangerous devils and an enigmatic angel, each with their own secrets, and temptations that may pull you closer.
Will you escape with your soul intact, or will your path become forever tied to those who linger within the flames?Your choices will shape your fate, and perhaps, the fate of Hell itself.
I just wanna say all your games make me want to live in that little pocket of the universe. Maybe one day when I transcend space and time I can find a way to exist there (currently I think I would go to college au vers of Changeling that u spoke about once upon a time first but I would make my way to all eventually) 🥹
My brain still fights over Corvin and Marc, what’s better than 1 husband it’s 2 husbands am I right 😏
okay but also WSC is so good!! Ugh, I’m like salivating but for reading every time I open the game. The best thing ever. I’m so excited for Thornewood too!!
I’m realizing I have something feral inside me for the blonde men you write. Corvin, Marc, Magnus, Glen..
I believe I saw a blonde man™️ in Thornewood but I haven’t been keeping up to date so we shall see if there’s another man to sink my feral teeth into!
Anyways!! I just wanted to say I love your writing and your games so much, they make me so happy!!
Thank youuuu! I'm so happy you like When Stars Collide. I enjoyed my stay on the sci-fi side of things but am really happy to move fully back into fantasy for a while!
There are two blonde LIs in Thornewood (moving from 0 blondes to multiple again)!
Zen:
And Julian who is arguably more of a strawberry blonde since his hair has a rosy tint to it and looks QUITE PINK compared to Zen's platinum. LoL
