Writing Updates
I have been working on both of my current games in development, with Stronghold taking the focus at the beginning of each month and Safe Haven in the second half. It’s been a juggling act, but I’ve been keeping pace with my development plan. My goal is to have both Stronghold and Safe Haven’s free update published by the end of this year.
For Safe Haven, I’m going to finish the prologue scenes I have planned: teenage movie star and funeral service (for all MCs). After that, I’m going to go through the entire game and factor age into the story. It’s mainly going to affect the prologues, Part 1, and how people react to the MC. For example, when you first meet Keith in chapter 7, he may react differently to a senior citizen than to a teenager. These will mostly be cosmetic changes, but will affect things like relationship scores, romantic options, and how people perceive your MC.
After tackling age, I will turn my attention to chapter 18. I may add a little bit to chapter 17 since people felt it was short (despite being 70,000 words). Chapter 18 is going to be very long. At the end of chapter 17, you found out about the impending visit by the Silverthornes. So, the first half of chapter 18 will focus on preparing for the visit, and the second half will cover the actual visit. I have to consider that some of your MCs will be allies with the Silverthornes and some will be enemies. Some will be completely neutral. There are so many variables for this battle that I expect this to be one of the largest.
I’m also not going to make it too easy. In fact, this will be the most difficult chapter of the game so far. If you're well-positioned and prepared, you should have a positive outcome. However, it won’t be a simple case of choosing your top skill, and everything turns out fine. I want there to be real change after chapter 18.
Turning to Stronghold, I’m currently writing chapter 9. Because I keep adding to the game, it keeps getting longer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I also feel that it needs to be substantial for people to enjoy it.
With that being said, I’m going to ask a tough question. Are you interested in the game? I get almost no feedback on it. At this point, if interest in the game is lacking, I may tighten it up, stop spending so much time on it, and publish it for those interested.
If you are not interested in the game, please tell me why. It’s not too late in development for me to make changes. I’m writing these games for my audience, and I want them to enjoy whatever I write. When I have so little feedback, it’s difficult for me to know whether it’s worth the effort to write. Feel free to share any criticism or opinions. I promise I won’t be upset, even if you say you have no interest in the game.
Comments (13)
I have a question about customization for safe haven if it's ok? Would you be opposed to putting in hair length, body types, and heights?
I would have to incorporate those customizations into the game's text, which would require more development time. Originally, I was going to say no, but after reading what everyone else has been saying about customization, I'm wondering if it's worth it. So I will just say maybe.
Same as some others,I've been waiting for Stronghold to finish before playing it. I tried the first chapter when it came out. However now I will try it again when the next update comes out.
Same for me. I tried playing it on Storyloom when it was there, but for some odd reason it froze and lagged a lot on my browser, and unfortunatelly their app wasn't launched for Android at all. So I'm quite eager for the game relase. Huge interested on it as well. Having this setting expanda it's some of the best things in IF that we have.
Stronghold is certainly interesting, in its own way. But going from Safe Haven to it feels weird, mainly because of how much more linear it is. After ch.8, I feel like paying a lot more attention to it because of the new mutation stuff added. Cause it feels unique, and very interesting; which after all the years and playing the original Exodus and all of Haven is cool to see the process of how one turns and feels. The mutations themselves confirming a few suspicions about the virus as well. Buuuuuuuuut, it taking 8 chapters to get to this feels....strange? Since the mutations and the bite are pretty much the main selling point of stronghold.
Genuinely so excited for Stronghold. I play when I can but I’m so excited for it to be fully released.
I'm enjoying both Stronghold and Safe Haven, lost count of how many times I played them and I even did some achievement hunting in ZESH. Love your work, keep it up ❤️
Played stronghold when it was on storyloom and I am very much interested in it. Honestly, I'm just waiting it to drop and play it in one go. However, would it be possible to add a bit more customization for the mc?
I'm interested in Stronghold but life's just been super busy hence not had time to spare - also got a backlog of interactive fiction I need to read first (including ZE:SH's latest chapter!). Appreciate all you do
I'm definitely interested in Stronghold but tbh, compared to Safe Haven's insane customisation and interactivity down to things like age and ethnicity, I feel less invested to it's MC is more or less defined by a set role/job. They remind me more of the MC in the first ZE who has a set backstory (white, has a little sister, traumatic childhood).
That's a pretty fair criticism. I could add more customization but yes, there are very defined professions
I haven't had interest in Stronghold mostly just due to it being in development and my interest being more invested in Safe Haven. I plan to try stronghold when its finished, but dont really want to get invested in another game that may not be done for years.
Thank you for your feedback.