Valentine's Day Update
Yandere Simulator is a romance-themed game, so Valentine's Day is the perfect time for a big announcement or big update. That was the plan, actually, but things didn't work out.
On January 1st, I looked at the amount of progress remaining to be done before I could release the game’s official demo, and calculated that there was less than 2 months of work remaining. I planned to release Osana on February 14th – Valentine’s Day. Yes, that's right; today is the day that Osana was going to be released…but it’s not happening.
Over the past 25 days, I’ve been subjected to the largest avalanche of hate and harassment that I’ve ever experienced. It’s several orders of magnitude worse than what I was put through in 2018, which prompted the Hate and Shame video. Every day, I consider making an “I quit, I can’t do this anymore!” video, because absolutely nothing is worth the amount of abuse that I’m receiving.
I was already morbidly depressed before this happened, but recent events have pushed me down to the lowest point I’ve ever been at. The severity of what I’ve been put through has completely killed my enthusiasm for the project and robbed me of all motivation to work on the game. It’s impossible to be productive under these circumstances. The only thing more difficult than finding a reason to keep working on Yandere Simulator is finding a reason to keep living.
The longest-ever gap between two of my videos was 50 days, occurring between the Live-Action Trailer and Guidance Counselor video. In 7 days, on Feb 21th, we’re unfortunately going to break that record. I’ll try to release something on March 1st, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be possible to find the energy required to make a video, when it’s already hard enough just to convince myself to get out of bed in the morning.
If you're donating money to a guy, the last thing you want to hear him say is that he isn't getting any work done and wants to quit. However, I have to be open, honest, and transparent with you. A lack of videos / significant progress is pretty serious, and I can't just leave you in silence without an explanation. So, even though it sucks to admit all of this stuff, I choose to be honest with you, rather than just pretend like nothing is wrong.
I'd like to believe that pretty soon, "treat YandereDev like shit" will stop being a fad, and I can return to business as usual. I'd like to believe that on March 1st I'll have a cool update, on March 15th I'll have an even cooler update, and on April 1st, the game's anniversary, I'll have a really awesome update. But, at this point in time, there are so many uncertain factors that it's hard to say for sure exactly what will happen. I don't know what to tell you, but at the very least, I want to assure you that I don't intend to leave you in silence, and that I'll communicate honestly with you, even if good news is scarce.
Comments (29)
Hearing anyone say it's difficult to find the will to live breaks my heart. Hearing it from someone who has created a project I've become so attached to is devastating. I don't understand the motivation behind all this abuse at all! I'm an extremely impatient person, but I haven't minded waiting for Yandere Simulator because the updates keep my enthusiasm and excitement alive. I've been following for a couple years now, and yeah, it's an objectively long time, but it's not like I don't have other things to entertain me in the meantime. YandereDev, I just became a patron today because the SNAP update got me so excited that I wanted to contribute to the momentum your updates have shown in the last few months. I had no idea you were still going through abuse and a state of depression after the Hate and Shame video. I really hope you'll consider taking on a volunteer or hiring some kind of email moderator/community manager for the sake of your mental health. There's no shame in not being able to handle that kind of thing on your own. I know I never could! Wishing you happiness and inspiration, even in these troubled times (both personally and what we're all dealing with on a global scale right now).
Thank you for your support and your encouragement, I appreciate it very much. <3
I finally got to download to play this game I've heard so much about! I didn't get to play much but I wanted to come here to help as much as I am able to currently. It's honestly breaking my heart seeing how cruel people can be towards you for just trying to do something you like doing.. I do want to let you know that I'm a new fan and I think what you're doing is awesome and I hope you continue doing it and ignore all the horrible trolls out there!
Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it very much!
You had the determination to take on a project this big and you have the determination to make it through this new wave of gremlins.
The hello is wrong with these people sending you these horrible messages. YandereDev, take care of yourself. We're not going anywhere. :)
You have come so far. The biggest goal is already in sight. The last part to the summit is always the hardest part of a mountain trail. We patrons will support you in any way. Take your time or take a rest if you need to. I second Fireflower201's idea of a community manager to shield yourself from all the hatred. Surround yourself with things and people you love.
Please take care of yourself YanDev. All of us here support you. Take a break if you need to.
I know what it's like to lack the motivation to live and I'm sorry to hear that you're going through all this. I honestly hope that people will stop hating on you, because you don't deserve it. You're working so hard and yet you get so much hate. I love Yandere Simulator and I really want it to be done, but if you're not feeling good, I will be happy to wait because you're so much more important! Stay strong, you're not alone!
I thank you for the hard Work and your honestly. Keep up the Work and don't Push you to hard. ;)
New* strength in the near future*
Yandere sim is amazing. I don't know much about your situation but I believe you that it's extremely difficult to carry on. As much as i love doing projects, I'm horrible at self motivation... You're doing an amazing job and i won't stop supporting this game because it's amazing!! I hope you find now strength in the best future, you deserve it!
Count me in on the normally silent majority that fully support you. Take as much time as you need for your mental health. The game has advanced so far from where it was when I first found Yandere Simulator and I fully believe you are capable of completing it.
Honestly I have figured out a way to just ignore the hate. Just be happy in your creation and the people here who want to see it finished. If 51% of your audience by the numbers had negative comments, be concerned. But 3% is negligible. WE LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND KEEP GOING!! Also.. VR version in the FAR future?
I've considered the idea of releasing a simple VR minigame where you are Senpai tied to a chair, and get murdered by Yandere-chan in first-person. However, it's something I would only be able to work on after Osana's finished. (So...not TOO far in the future, hopefully.)
Would it maybe be helpful to hire a community manager or something like that to deal with the hatemail? I'm sorry if you've already thought of this and decided against it. I don't know what else I could say that might be helpful at this time. Please take care of yourself.
It’s amazing how much change and progress the game has been through throughout the years. Working through Depression is a large project on its own it makes completing your ambitions take so much more effort and time. I’d recommend either taking a break to rest and recharge or to continue with small progress, progress is progress no matter how small. Nothing that anyone can say can take away the progress and story you have already created, so even though a hiatus isn’t preferred the game will still be there after time away. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from my depression is to take care of yourself, give yourself some slack, and reach out to your friends and family for support. More people care about you then you realize, ever if it feels like it doesn’t at the time.
Before you stop reading or reply please read the whole text! Economical: I‘m donating because I want to see this project finished. I don‘t want another half finished game, especially if I donated for it. However, you‘ve done an incredible job of making this game a reality and without you, this game won‘t be finished, so please take a break and tend to your needs first. Human: I love Video games and I love people who make great games even more. You‘ve proven that you are worth the money and there‘s no need to „wreck“ yourself for this project. I want to have fun with the game and I want you to have fun too. Take a break, get those haters out of your life and if you can, try to visit a psychologist or even several to find one you like. Even without an „illness“ it can be highly beneficial to visit one. Mental health is probably more important than physical and you wouldn‘t work bleeding to death either.
Take your time. It's better to take the time to create what you want than rushing it for the sake of some kids unable to wait even a minute of their life. Your loudest complainers are those who care the less of the game, they just want to insult someone to feel better in their sorry life. Good luck and take care of yourself.
These people are bullies, they are doing this because they enjoy it and on the internet there is no consequences for their behavior. You need to come to terms with the fact that these people have no legitimate grievances with you, and are just abusing you for the sake of abusing you. I know it can be difficult to deal with it, but the best thing you can do is just block them. If you need to, find someone you can trust to filter messages and moderate comments.
You deciding to share your uncertainties about the future of this project is very noble. If you decide to take a break for your own wellbeing ai believe the entire fanbase will understad and support your decision. After all, how could we enjoy a game if it destroyed the very one who brought it to life.
I usually stay in the silent majority, but even though my voice might not be all that much, I want you to know that we support you. Take a break if you need to, wrecking your health, physical and mental, on a project is not worth it; especially if it also kills your love for it. Take care, and if it takes longer, it takes longer. You are much more than this project, and even though it is awesome and seeing your videos brightens my days, never feel guilty about putting yourself and your well-being first. Stay strong.
Whatever you have to do, and whatever that entails, put yourself first. I'm sorry that you've had to deal with so much harsh negativity for so long. No one deserves that, especially you. Over the years through your words, videos, and creations, we've had the privilege of getting to know you. While most of us will never meet you, and we'll never see or understand everything, it's enough for us to see what an intelligent, creative, hardworking, and just overall amazing person you are. Thank you for being open with us, and again, do what you have to do for yourself, whether that's taking a break, talking to a professional, or anything else you feel like you need right now. You are more important than anything else.
My dev project got compared to yanderesim as a never-to-be-released title :x. I wasn't offended though, in fact it's almost laughable since both yanderesim and osu!lazer are out and playable through their development... Just remember that the haters are always the loudest and it's pretty pointless to listen to them. Take what constructive feedback you can possible wrangle from the crap they throw and remember that you still have almost a thousand people here supporting you. Stay strong dude
I can only agree with the others and I hope that those sorry excuses of human beings rott in hell. Don't let those creeps steal your joy, they don't know you, they don't know how it is to be you. And because of that, they don't have the right to play shitgames on you. I don't know if anything of this is helpful, but please don't forget that there are people who cares for you and don't want to see you hurt.
You're human, YDev, and those people are only interested in hurting you. Take a little break, get to a good place and show them you're not going to let them kill your dream. You may take a step back to recover, but you're not going to lose all the progress you've made towards making YOUR game a reality. It's not about owing us or needing to make what you're paid, it's about getting what you want to work out. They just want to discourage and harm you. We love you and your work, we show you that with our support, monetary or otherwise.
I don't know what to say that could help make you feel better, but I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere either. You're an amazing, dedicated person and I'm going to continue supporting you.
Take a break and just say a F*** you to the haters and don’t let them get in your head. Easier said than done, I know, but I’ve received my fair share of bullying and harassment growing up. And I just grew a thicker hide and let karma deal with them. Happy Valentine’s Day. Maybe you can animate these small dicked internet trolls and cyber bullies into the game and have Yandere Chan be able to track down their IP address, find their info via info Chan, go to their house and brutally murder them. Hell, make it an entire rival route if you want. A girl who shitposts you on the internet. Should give them a fair warning to back off. Even if it doesn’t, it’s a good way to let off some steam. ^_^
Best idea ever. Some karma in game 'cause in real life killing even these sucker is breaking the law.