Is it okay for YandereDev to stop posting updates for a while as he works on a secret feature?
I began working on "10 Rivals Mode" immediately after my last Patreon post (June 17th), and I'm extremely happy with how it's turning out so far! Development is actually proceeding way faster than I expected it to; I haven't run into any major obstacles, and the new mode is turning out exactly the way I imagined it in my mind!
I'm really proud of what I've been able to accomplish, and I'd love to share my progress with you! ...but, if I did, it would spoil the big surprise. On the other hand, if I don't show you any sign of progress for a while, then you would have every right to question whether or not I've actually been doing any work.
So, what's more important? Keeping this new mode a secret so that I can do a big surprise reveal, or demonstrating my progress so that my Patrons don't have any reason to doubt me? I've been wrestling with this question for a few days now. I can see the pros and cons of both perspectives, but I'm beginning to lean in one direction:
Personally, I feel that this new mode would not diminish in value if it was no longer a "surprise." To me, this new mode is something that has worth and value regardless of whether or not it's kept a secret until its completion. (The decision to keep it a secret was somewhat arbitrary, anyway. That's why I wouldn't even be slightly bothered if people managed to figure it out.)
With that said, other members of the development team - and even fans of the game - have told me that they would be very disappointed if I revealed too much information at this point in time, and that it would be much more exciting to hide all the details for now, so that I can do a big surprise reveal once the feature is complete. I definitely do understand this point of view.
The only reason why I was able to make Yandere Simulator my full-time job is because of the generosity and support of my patrons! So, ultimately, I think that the patrons deserve to have a say in what my policy should be. If you would lose faith in me and withdraw your support if I stopped posting updates for a while, then this is the time to let me know.
In my previous post, I suggested the idea of adding multiple new tiers to my Patreon. The lower tiers would receive very little information about my latest progress (blurry teaser images), whereas the higher tiers would get much more detailed information (such as clear screenshots and video footage).
Unfortunately, only about 10 Patrons replied to my previous post. I feel like that's too small of a "sample size" to make a meaningful judgement call. I wouldn't want the opinions of just 10 people to affect what 600 people get to see. However, here's the information I gathered from the comments on my last post:
Only two people were in favor of the idea of creating multiple new tiers. Everyone else felt that multiple tiers would be unnecessary, and that a single tier would be better.
Only two people were willing to pay up to $30 for previews. Everyone else felt that a number between $10 and $20 would be better.
If I was to draw a conclusion from this feedback, it would be to axe the "multiple tiers" idea, and simply create a single "See previews of upcoming content" tier at $15 or $20. However, I didn't ask the most important question of all! This is the question that I should have asked in my previous blog post:
If I decide to be secretive about what I'm currently working on and hide all information about the upcoming mode for the sake of a big surprise reveal, I would need to go for an unknown stretch of time without sharing my progress with you. If I did that, would you begin to doubt that I was actually doing any work, and consider withdrawing your support?
I know that words like "a while" and "an unknown stretch of time" are very vague statements, but that's because I'm still not completely certain how long this mode will take to complete. I don't want to make any promises or definitive statements, but here's what I currently think:
Best case scenario, it'll be done sometime in July. If I run into unexpected obstacles, it might take until sometime in August. In the absolute worst case scenario, such as a series of catastrophic disasters, then perhaps it could take until sometime in September...although I really doubt that'll happen.
Once I hear back from you guys on this topic, I'll know if you're okay with a period of silence while I work on the big surprise, or if it's critical that I periodically prove to you that I'm getting work done. I'll be okay with whatever decision you make; I just hope that a large sample size of patrons respond to this poll.
Once again, thank you very much for supporting the development of Yandere Simulator!
Comments (19)
I know he’s still working because of his Wordpress
I do not need regular updates of the game, but you do not need do keep absolute radio silence as well. In that I second what Jade Annabel wrote.
Yeah, I'd never want to go *completely* silent. I've recently written a blog post with a report on my latest progress: https://yanderedev.wordpress.com/2021/07/01/july-1st-progress-update/
its all good yandere dev. its your game so as long as you provide us with some awesome gameplay like you always do then its all good. some people cant understand that developing a game like yandere simulator can take a long time so u needn't worry about pumping out update after update all the time. Although u better not remove the alphabet killer challenge. I spent a lot of time trying to complete that so i better get the chance to still complete it in the full game
Sorry I'm late. I voted "Trust" because you've proved to me I can trust you're still working. If you hadn't, I wouldn't still be supporting you after all this time. For my own projects, I post a blog from time to time to let my followers know I'm NOT working but I also haven't forgotten them.
I honestly don't even check Patreon that often so I probably wouldn't even notice a lack of posting unless you posted about it lol, I'm just here to support you!
I would be happy with a ten second video each month saying "Things are good, I'm working on the thing, please wait until the thing is ready, kthxbye". Literally exactly like that.
I agree with that as well.
Small updates once or twice a month would be cool. I'm not sure for the rest of the community (not Patreons). But I remember blurred/altered pictures to be quite difficult to decipher, so I doubt it would be extremely risky to share some.
I wouldn't withdraw Patreon support if you went silent for a while, but I would feel somewhat betrayed. I was excited to maybe get something exclusive for supporting you, and now it sounds like you're not going to share anything about the new mode at all... That would be upsetting.
I'm sorry. I was very excited to share sneak peeks and previews of what I'm currently working on, but the other people on the development team cautioned me against it, saying that it would demotivate them and devalue their work if the surprise was ruined. Although I don't feel the same way as them, I don't want to risk upsetting the people I rely on to help me make the game.
I don't mind longer silence, I usually don't even check every small update anyways and only check once a new announcement is made, an interesting feature is released or an important decision is being discussed. Maybe don't completely stop posting to show people you are still active, but instead of things related to the game's development, share some yandere sim fanart and other small things you enjoy people have made.
I voted "trust", but am posting to add: smaller updates might be just as effective for the community while putting less load/stress on YandereDev. By way of comparison, Tarn "Toady" Adams of Dwarf Fortress (https://www.patreon.com/bay12games/posts) has been working on his project with his brother since 2006 and has only provided financial, Q&A and brief updates the entire time. He partly lets his code releases speak for themselves, as well as partly relying on his community to support itself. I understand the projects are wildly different in a lot of ways, but in terms of managing community expectations I don't know of a better positive example. Much love and respect, Robert
I think if you don't make the July deadline you mentioned above maybe just give us a heads up with a 1-2 sentence update otherwise you do you yanderedev!
Like the others have said, a small update like once a month would be good
I think periodic a few lines post telling that "I'm still alive and work, will update later" once a week/month to me is a lot better than silence. So a few lines periodic update does not take much time but makes me a lot happier.
I think that just a short status update once or twice a month is enough. I hate it when someone goes 100% silent, but I'm also not at all into any previews. I think they are mostly spam...
I'll be fine, I feel like the games development right now is very satisfactory and has a good pace so I don't think not showing a few updates would be a problem
I‘d be fine with silence, but a monthly update would still be nice. I don‘t need much either. Just write 5 lines or so telling us how you‘re doing, so we know you‘re still alive. Other than that have fun programming!