DevLog: Scene Progress + Main Menu Music + 10 Chapters Planned + Contest Submission (5k sneak peeks)

Quick reminder: You can follow development more closely on the Trello board.

TLDR;

• Patreon membership

• Practice render wallpapers

• Scene 5 completely done

• Scene 6 nearly done (needs 1 more soundtrack)

• Main menu soundtrack is also in the works

✅ Last Week's Progress

What I accomplished since the last update:

• Patreon Enhancements - I've added Recommendations for Celeritas.VN • Formula Zero and BigBat_Productions - fantastic games with incredible devs that deserve your attention! 😻
  I've also added a small support tier called "Resonance Brew". Creating Echoes of The Cataclysm is genuinely fulfilling on its own, but I know some of you have asked about ways to show additional support. This is simply there for anyone who might want to contribute - completely optional, no pressure at all.
  

• More Wallpaper Renders!

  • Anya after dark (4k) Wallpaper

  • Ambrose Rising - A Merman's Tale (5k) Wallpaper (also a Bluesky mirror link, Reddit mirror link) - This was my submission for the AVNL Times 2025 Summer Render contest. I think it's the best render I've made yet 😉

• Scene 6 - I've got the Chapter 1's ending soundtrack finished called, End of Echoes of Desire. This soundtrack will roll from the end scene and into the "end of contents" screens, which show credits, and some social media links.

🛠️ Current Development

What I'm working on right now:

• Plotting Future Chapters (same as last DevLog) - I don't usually announce this much, but I have 10 chapters planned for Echoes of The Cataclysm. While I keep my writing and plotting relatively quiet, I've been spending a considerable time lately laying solid groundwork for these future chapters - working out narrative kinks and ensuring everything connects properly.
  If my DevLog seems light, it's because of the scene reworks and spending a LOT of time... just thinking... a lot of thinking. A lot of plotting.

• Scene 6 Finalization - Now that rendering is finished, the last things that remain are music and sound effects. Unfortunately, I'm not a musical composer (sorry not sorry), but that's not going to stop me from trying to make custom music for Echoes of The Cataclysm. I've already made some good music that fits each scene, I'm just struggling to reach the finish line with this scene for some reason.
  Willow's entrance deserves its own soundtrack, and so that is what I am actively working on as we speak! She has a sweet heart that's grounded in nature, and so she will get a soulful and acoustic soundtrack. I'm very excited to share it with you all 🥰

• Main Menu Music - This is the big finale of music coming together, the final piece, the defining piece that makes the entire visual novel feel like it's got a soul!
  I've got some good ideas for what I want it to feel like; unfortunately, like I said above, I'm not an expert in writing music, but I really want EoTC to feel unique and have a specific voice. That's why I've got to struggle, to grow, and to learn to make myself better to provide the end result, even if it's not perfect.

🔮 Coming Soon

What I'm planning to work on next:

• Adding a "Gallery" to the menu

• Exclusive and available for a limited time Patreon "Foundation" tiers are coming!

⚙️ Technical Corner

Nothing for the technical corner this week; but I do have a surprise for you in the next DevLog's Technical Corner!

👀 Sneak Peek

• 🎶 End of Chapter Soundtrack

• Ambrose Rising - A Merman's Tale (5k) Wallpaper (also a Bluesky mirror link, Reddit mirror link)

Anya after dark (4k) Wallpaper:

💬 Community Corner

What do you think about some of the wallpapers? Any requests for future character renders?

Don't forget to check out the Trello board for detailed progress updates! ❤️