It took four years to build this initial demo from scratch. It was an amazing learning experience, and moving forward there have been a lot of changes when it comes to the new build.

1) Switching to Renpy

Trying to get Unity to have a save and load system that worked with the fungus add on I was using to code proved to be a fruitless endeavor. Renpy has many of the built in functions and scaling down the game's wish list of features allowed for Renpy to end up working well.

The move to Renpy does mean the demo as it currently exists will not be updated. Until the new build is ready to launch, it will stay up as is.

The new build will also have the point and click feature, boss battles, individual pathways, and the investigation mechanic.

2) An overhaul of the investigation gameplay

For longer gameplay and a larger cast of subjects we've had to rethink how to allow players can best enjoy outsmarting their opponent. We're trialing a few different mechanics, pulling more from logic puzzles.

3) Original Theme Music

All bosses will have custom made songs for their climatic scenes. The new build will also include 3 never before seen bosses. The boss for the current build was just for testing purposes.

4) Three new chapters and an expanded prologue

Originally the goal was to release Chapter 1 and the prologue by itself, but we feel a multi chapter experience would be the best reflection of where we want to go with the game. So the first half will be launched, including new individual pathways. At the moment, the script is about 140 K words so it's been quite the undertaking getting it all programmed compared to the first release, even with Renpy making things much easier for us.

5) Art, art and more art

All the old sprites will be replaced

We have 40+ backgrounds in the new build

50+ CGs and counting

As well as an overhaul on the UI system.

Most exciting of all, the entire cast will be in the new build. Which means, sprites galore. Everyone only has one pose at the moment, but it's so good to see them all in action.

6) We have a voice cast! 

They have already turned lines in for Prologue and Chapter 1. With us still tinkering in the code, we ran into a lot of issues with lines disappearing and other glitches. We've been going through line by line, locking in the line IDs so audio editing can resume. The hope is the entire game can be fully voices.

Finale Thoughts

We are a tiny team of two, with an editor helping on the script side of things. Outside of the UI and music, which has been commissioned, the rest is all on us. We appreciate your patience as we keep chipping away at this project. The project is far from dropped, we're just very busy with full time jobs and working on this on the side. Because of that, we are not sure when the new build will be ready for playtesting. 

In the mean time, it's back to work.