Writing Updates
First off, thank you to everyone who has purchased Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 4.
Today we're going to talk about bugs and not the insect kind (I hate most of those), but the coding kind that some of you are experiencing with Safe Haven right now. I want to walk you through why they happen and what makes this release particularly challenging.
1. I take full responsibility.
When you encounter a bug, that's on me. I've done as much testing as possible, but here's the reality: 97% of this game is written and coded by me alone. I've had some writing help in the past, but the heavy lifting falls on my shoulders. I know some messages I receive suggest people think there's a full development team behind ZESH, but it's pretty much just me at the keyboard.
2. This game is massive.
At 2.7 million words, Safe Haven is now longer than:
All seven Harry Potter books combined
The Lord of the Rings trilogy plus The Hobbit
The Stand by Stephen King
All five published Game of Thrones books
But it's not just about word count. Every sentence and paragraph connects to different paths and branches based on your choices. I also avoid repeating text unnecessarily. Many authors repeat the same sentences across different paths, which inflates word count and actually simplifies the code. Instead, I write unique content and use subroutines to call shared elements only when needed. This approach creates a richer experience but introduces more opportunities for errors if I don't execute it perfectly.
3. The complexity is intentional.
One of the main reasons people love ZESH is because it offers real depth. You can build up the junkyard, customize your character, recruit NPCs, make life-or-death decisions. I've worked hard to make it feel like a true sandbox.
That complexity has a cost. Sometimes bugs come from simple copy-paste errors. Other times they're harder to track down because a variable I set in Chapter 6 affects something in Chapter 16. Then there are balancing issues: food consumption spikes from a rounding error, or Gina dies unexpectedly because I adjusted the junkyard defense calculations. And I need to make the game playable whether you have 0 Ranged skill or you're an elite sniper.
4. Testing has become increasingly difficult.
When I first started writing choice games, my forum posts would fill up with eager testers. Now it's hard to find even a handful of people who have the time.
And I completely understand why. The interactive fiction landscape is crowded with amazing WIPs and completed games. Why would someone test a ten-year-old game when there are so many new and exciting options? Plus, the landscape has evolved. Some authors now use extended beta testing periods, which can be beneficial for iterative development. Different release strategies work for different projects. For ZESH, I've chosen to push through to full releases, which means condensing the testing window.
Moving Forward
Despite these challenges, I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together over the past decade. I'm committed to fixing bugs as they're reported, and I genuinely appreciate your patience and support. Every bug report helps make the game better for everyone.
Thank you for sticking with me and with ZESH.
Comments (10)
I've been playing the game since 2023 when I stumbled upon it completely on accident. That being said I just started looking more into things with this most recent part and fell back in love. I noticed in an earlier comment you said you'd be happy to take volunteers for testing. Is that still an offer, if so, how would I go about it? I'm amazed by all the hard work you've put into this. Even if not, thank you for making this game for everyone to enjoy.
I post public test versions usually once a month, and people can send me feedback. I'm also happy to work with people directly and give credit in the game.
Despite a few wrinkles, I cannot thank you enough for this incredible game. This game offers depth and complexity a few others if any offers. As a committed player, I will take some of the blame as well because I have neglected to offer to be a game tester. I can assure you this will change. For future content, please know that I will happily volunteer. Once again with deepest appreciation for your commitment and dedication to something that is far more than a game.
Thank you for the offering to test! I am happy to take any volunteers, and I know you have been with me a long time. You probably know the game as well as I do!
It's okay! Thank you so much for everything you've done and for how hard you work to resolve every issue that comes up! And how quickly! I am endlessly grateful to be able to play this amazing story and I will continue to support every project you decide to work on!
Please don't beat yourself up, over your art! Coding is complex, once you add something new, the old code might not understand anymore. We know you put your heart and soul into your work and you're always honest with your fans! We support you brother! Take it a step at a time and don't rush, you have a lot of people that support you!
Bugs are bound to happen Jim, so please don't feel too pressure, esp with a big game like ZESH. I love the game and you shouldn't beat yourself too much about it, I know that you will fix it soon anyway!!!! We are very appreciate that you would fix the bugs so fast so we could enjoy the game ASAP so please don't put too much blame on yourself!!
Love this game, and bugs are totally expected with a game this massive and complex with a new update. I just appreciate how dedicated you are to the series and how quickly you work to provide bug fixes
No worries. As someone that codes for a living, I understand. While I am sad my ability to play is on hold until the junkyard offence/defense gets fixed, that is because of how much I love the game
Bugs are going to happen on release, especially with a game this branching and massive. Thanks for all your work! Really enjoyed the latest chapter.