October Update - "Sock Puppets"
Hey everyone, and firstly a very happy Halloween to you all. As you guys know, last month I made the decision to step away from social media, as it was impacting the development of the game and my mental health in general. I'm happy to say I've been doing a lot better since making this change, and thank you all for your words of encouragement and support, you really are the best.
I promise I won't spend too long talking about that side of things, as I know you're not here to listen to me ramble. If my views on the internet and mental health in general are of no interest to you, feel free to skip this next paragraph (and let me know if you want me to cut this sort of thing out of my Patreon updates!)
So, a little fact about me is that I actually don't use social media in my real life - I'm a very "offline" kind of person (which is probably part of why I enjoy playing older games). For SuccuPie, convention suggested I should make social media accounts to promote the game etc so that's what I did. My interactions there had always been positive, but it was impossible to avoid what seemed to me to be engines running on the fuel of human misery. I might sound a bit pathetic, but it really did rock me to my core. I recently rewatched Pixar's Monsters Inc, an amazing movie about a society of monsters that derive their electricity from the terrified screams of kids. The movie ends on a very sweet note: by the end of the story, the monsters discover that laughter is a much more powerful energy than scream, and so change their entire society to run on this kinder and greener source of power. It seems to me that here in the real world, we've basically reversed the story. I think the internet I remember ran on laughter - but it's painfully clear it now runs on scream. I'm not cut out for it.
What I am cut out for, apparently, is making sock-puppet videos. I know people have enjoyed this aspect of SuccuPie, so I wanted to shine a little light on it. The TV videos are basically unscripted - I kind of make them up as I record the vocal track. Having a conversation with yourself is kind of tricky, so what I try and do is record one character's lines first and then play that back to myself, allowing me to react to it as the second character. Once I have the audio down, the real work begins: I lie on my back in front of a camera taped to a chair and film the puppets, trying (and often failing) to sync my hand movements to the vocal tracks. This is so stupidly hard, at least for me, but after a few hours of trying I'll get something usable. The sock puppets themselves are made from old socks (shocking I know) and the eyes of some teddybears I bought from a thrift store - let us bow our heads and thank them for their sacrifice. I really enjoy making these dumb videos, and this last week I've made a new one to go into the game! I've also been working on a new character mesh (for a yet-unseen character!) which I won't spoil, and I bought a new cable for my midi-keyboard which means I can get to work on one of the last songs of the game over the next couple of weeks.
All of which is to say, I'm working away as hard as I can on SuccuPie, and the game is progressing really well. I'm sorry that I can't be as present as other creators are on social media - I know that can feel like radio silence, and I don't want you to think I don't massively appreciate the support you guys have shown me so consistently, because I really do. Just know that I'm doing good, and things are progressing well!
Have a fantastic Halloween - remember to put up decorations, like ghosts, ghouls and chickens. "I'm not a doctor, alright man? All I know, is chickens are scary."
Big, big love,
Milk Cartel
Comments (23)
Good to hear that you're doing fine now, please keep up the good work! We'll all be waiting for the complete game 🩷
Ok good luck bro
Happy halloween
We love you anyways. Take the break. And be back when you know you will succeed! Happy Halloween, and hope to order a SuccuPie again soon! Much love sent!
I actually enjoy that you communicate with your audience on a personal level, keep it up at your own pace, take it one day at a time, that’s all us as humans can do. Happy Halloween milk, thank you for being here and being real.
You’ve got this
Happy Halloween! Glad to hear you’re doing a lot better. And take your time with the game there’s no rush to these things 🤝
Predicting the unseen character to be the slug queen coming to take what’s rightfully theirs
Courage friend, i'm eagerly waiting for your game but don't forget to rest and enjoy life too!
glad to hear that u are good!, happy Halloween to u, Marcie and every1 that reads this!
Thanks for the Halloween post! I prefer you leave in your rambling about personal stuff or mental health. I enjoy reading about it and if you feel like it makes a nice addition then you do you! Find your own balance of pleasing the customer and doing what you want tbh. Also I personally think with the addition of stuff like this it helps your community to get more tight-knit, or maybe just allows the option for those who are interested to feel closer to the game and the creator :) (especially with how you’re saying the internet is fueled a lot more by fear now). You’re doing a great job! Happy Halloween! Much love! <3
That's pretty crescent fresh.
I played the demo probably 4-5 times and it’s good every time so I’m really exited to see what you have in store for us in the future also one of my favorite movies is monsters inc, I love boo’s little monster outfit. But It good to hear your okay keep up the good work.
Frankly, all I really need is a monthly update with your thoughts on dev progress, but even without that, I'm just excited to get my hands on the game in full! Happy Halloween, Milk and Marcie!
I love your game lol 💛
I love the sock pupputs, I replay the demo a lot and avoid watching the sock pupputs because I want to forget it completely so I can experience it again on release. That damn game show was the best skit I've seen in years 🤣 Excited for your game, I agree about the Internet. I'm writing a novel and social media, advertising is my weakness as well. Happy you have a growing fan base, stay well my guy.
I am a fairly recent addition to the pool of interested players-to-be and Patrons—and I know I am but one voice in a sea of hundreds or more—but I just wanted to express my support of and appreciation for you in a comment. I am not one who typically indulges in erotic or sexual content, but the atmosphere you’ve captured in this game is downright intoxicating. I know you’ve spoken of your own struggles, and as someone who has grappled with dysthymia and post-traumatic stress, I just wanted to say that you’ve hit the nail on the head with this project. In an environment which thrives on toxicity and negativity, I hope you can take some solace in the fact that there are those of us who have your back throughout the ups and downs of the creative process. Cheers, and happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! Really glad to hear you're doing better. And please don't feel like you need to apologise for sharing your thoughts with us. It's lovely getting these little glimpses into the person behind the game. I loved your Monsters, Inc. analogy, and there's something rather fitting about you bringing a little more laughter into the world through your wonderfully ridiculous sock puppets. Keep doing what makes you happy, at your own pace. We'll be cheering you on!
Take your time, big M, we will be with you till full release and after release too! Sock puppets rules !
Well focus on what you need to focus on Milk We will be here for your Creation See you, space cowboy!
Its good to hear youre okay. Keep up the good work, we all support you 👍
Hello, how are you? Will the full game only be available on Steam now? I hope it will be available on the GOG store or itch.io
Keep it up 👍