MIR Milestone 2 - Audio System!

Hey friends, I'm back with another milestone update for the Moonshell Island Reboot!

This one took 16 days over the last month since my first milestone update, and breaks new ground for the project in the form of an Audio System. Finally we can enjoy Anna's gorgeous music in-game and experience another level of engagement with our silly little world through the power of sound!

Also included in this sprint for the sake of a cool screenshot:

• Lighting System (using Crystal Lighting Engine)

• Room and layer transitions

• Acorn collection

• Running (sans dust trail)

• Cutscene System improvements

• Complex object interactions

• Easter egg featuring my tabled Villain Survival Guide project and its main theme by Trass

The sound effects in this video are free and paid assets that may not be final since I don't have time to commit fully to sound design right now. Those that make it into the final version will be credited in the game, but the main SFX sources to note from this footage are as follows:

• Rogue Waves: dialogue mumble voices

• Pelatho: footstep sound pack

• Sound Jay: torch crackle and household sounds

• Morningdew Media: looping wave sound

• Megumi Ryu: marimba sound

• Cyrex Studios: universal UI sounds

• Megahammer Studios: non-character dialogue boops

VIP Exclusive: 16 Days of Progress!

As with my first milestone, I've made all 16 progress reports and videos for this sprint available here for all paid tiers. It's fascinating to see how things evolve with each day, and how there's always a breakthrough on the other side of each struggle.

Future Outlook

Now that I'm in control of technical progress, it seems I'll be able to post a little more frequently. What I lack in programming experience I make up for in determination, and I'm pleased with my pace as I rebuild the project from the ground up.

As things stand right now, technical progress required for a pitch demo is about 35% complete on a passible level. At this rate, reaching 100% still seems possible by the new year. Thanks to years of planning and design work my path forward is fairly laid out, and I'm relentless when I have a clear goal in mind. One step at a time I'm catching this project up at a steady clip, so hang in there with me just a little longer.

Personal Thoughts

I hope you can all forgive me for tooting my own horn, because I know how challenging this has been for me and how many setbacks I've had to overcome to keep this dream alive. My hope is rekindled by the fact that I am no longer held back by third parties with other priorities, and I'm discovering that I can count on myself.

That said, I understand if some are unsatisfied by my activity level and stopped pledging because they expected more by now. Some have expressed such in their exit surveys. It stings to hear that especially right now, but I get it if you don't feel like you're getting your money's worth or if it seems like a lost cause after so many years.

Moonshell Island has indeed been held back too long by me trying to work with others who had the means to make this go smoother, and it's cost me a lot financially and personally. I aimed to be much further along by now and was falsely assured it would happen with support that fell through when I needed it most. I'm doing my best to make lemonade from the dubious lemons exchanged for my good faith. Naturally it does leave a bitter taste to be so disappointed after so much invested. I don't take your good faith for granted either, nor do I feel entitled to your support. However, I do hope to prove myself worthy of it over the course of this reboot.

I know that's all pretty heavy and I don't care to belabor the subject or start drama. I just feel it's important to acknowledge that there's a lot I've had to deal with in silence that has caused these delays despite my prolonged efforts. Fortunately, things can only get better from here now that I'm done with all that nonsense and have stopped underestimating myself. I hope my roundabout way of achieving this dream will one day inspire others to believe in themselves more right from the get go. I sure wish I had.

Thanks again for sticking with me through it all. It means so much more than you may realize. I hope to exceed your expectations moving forward!

Your friend,
Sam