Hi!

This is a short update on level 3 development and general info about the project's potential (bright) future.

Level 3 design and progress

Regarding gameplay mechanics Level 3 - The Mine is done for quite some time. There are obviously a lot of new art segments like cave tiles, lava (and it is much more dangerous than water!), elevators, platforms, mine support metal beams...

Also there are a couple of new enemies with slightly different features compared to the ones we encountered in levels before.

Of course dialogues between our main characters are interesting as always, besides they know each other better now so dialogues can be only... more involving!

All gameplay mechanics I've implemented till now are working OK so I didn't have to do any major changes to the code. Regarding just "OK" I'll talk about it in the next section.

What's left to do is making a few more art segments, creating and implementing sound effects and finishing cut scenes.

Plans

I started some talks and there is a high possibility SPoM will get released on some platforms. I primarily do this game for Windows but Steam is not a priority for now.

Steam is a chaos regarding the number of products and it is very difficult to get noticed if you put a game there without investing a lot in marketing. And even if you make a game perfect, flawless, beautiful and interesting - it will mean nothing if it doesn't get noticed.

The similar thing is here on Itch when you're making a free game. There are so many free games you can't get clicks. It's better to have it as a paid project and put it on sale regularly. That way at least you will get some visibility.

But to get back to SPoM... Next level will be an update of the game as before and the game will still be free. Depending on talks progress regarding game release as a commercial product I will need to place a price on it on Itch.io too. But whoever got the game via itch.io manager will have it for free, of course!

Future changes

Related to this new plan I will need to make some changes to the game mechanics itself. Game will be much more user friendly and not as difficult. For this I already did some changes to level 1 design, playable characters and enemies characteristics, but I'll also add new features depending on the game testing reports.

Some other things I didn't want to bother with in a free game will be changed too - for example a few slightly (or not so slightly) irritating sound effects.

Pace

I need to survive in order to make this game.

In order to survive I need to work - so I work and I survive! Need I say more?

Pace is a little bit slower than I would like...

Also basic GDD for another pixel art, level based, platformer game is done, but this will wait for now.

In any case, thanks for reading and stay tuned!

And if you know someone willing to invest in game development - I'm here, waiting!

Until next time - enjoy!

Bye!