Welcome to Friday Fun, the blog where I poke my head up from underground, let you all know I’m still alive, and hopefully entertain you with some bits about my project progress and game development experience.
Just a reminder that Preview Demo 1 for Dehoarder 2 is now available for download for Patreon supporters at Beta Cat tier or higher! Sign up as a patron today and be among the first to play this early, pre-release version of the game!
Chapter 2
With the calendar barreling toward the holiday season, the season for marketing obscure indie games closes for about the next 6-8 weeks. This gives me some time to focus on actual development of the game, expanding the demo as much as possible leading up to Steam Next Fest in February.
This week, I have been able to make significant progress on Chapter 2 of the story. I’ll try not to give spoilers, but there are two more goals to accomplish, a bunch more dialog, a dialable telephone, three characters (re)introduced, a minor story decision point, and a major story branch point.
On a technical note, all of this new gameplay was able to be implemented almost entirely using the mod scripting API. Only one new function needed to be added to the API itself. I take this as a strong sign that the architectural borders within the game’s design are roughly correct.
Current projections have me releasing this next installment early next week. No firm promises, though.
Streamer Coverage for Dehoarder 2
Dehoarder 2 has its first streamer coverage. bumblesbeellvt graced the game with a two hour longplay, and reported back to me some issues to address in the next build. (Full disclosure: bumblesbeellvt was contracted to create the lovely storyboards and 2D character designs for the game about 4 years ago. We maintain an active friendship, but currently have no ongoing business relationship.)
I’ve been working to find more streamers to cover Dehoarder 2. If you are interested in streaming Dehoarder 2, or know someone that may be, please reach out.
Mid-Season Finale Plans
By releasing to the demo as things are completed, I’ve created a situation where it makes sense to release the story episodically. I’ve already been dividing the story beats into chapters, which makes it easier to fit this episodic format.
For Steam Next Fest, my goal story-wise will be to have chapter 2 in place. It will leave off with a nice minor cliffhanger set up by a duo of antagonists that hopefully will leave you all wondering what is afoot. You could kind of consider it a mid-season finale. Any further story development beyond chapter 2 will take place in Preview Demo 2 and beyond.
If I still have time for development beyond completing chapter 2, I will be bringing forward other gameplay features not yet integrated into the story and game progression to the end of the demo. This is similar to how the recycle bins are brought forward at the end of the demo in the current build (1.0.22.105). I may also work on some proof-of-concept stuff to add to the demo, like replacing the HUD-based clock with in-game clock items.
Until Next Week
I am off to continue working on Chapter 2, mainly focusing on testing for the rest of the day. Until next time, have fun, and be good to each other.