Major Update: Our Life Release Delay to November 16th, 2020
Hello,
I've been working on how to say this for a few days now and here's the best I've been able to manage. Unfortunately, news continues to be pretty awful for my personal life and so also for the development progress of Our Life. The main announcement is that because of outside circumstances stopping me from being able to work, Our Life requires a delay. The new date is November 16th, 2020. So, two more weeks.
Despite that, OL really is coming together. The script is at around 90% completion, the remaining scenes are all fully mapped out, only two new BGs and two CGs are left to do for the art, and so on.
The push back is to ensure we don’t just get the text into the game and put it out there. We want to make sure we have enough time to have a good spread of partial voice acting clips through each event, be sure things like the gallery won’t crash or display wrong, have a well formatted tutorial, be able to go back and add extra alterations to certain scenes, and generally make sure Our Life feels finished rather than simply playable. If we kept the original release date we’d essentially be programming up to the last minute now and would have to sacrifice any polishing that we intended to do. I hope that’s understandable and that when the game does release it will be worth the wait.
The full story on why work was interrupted is this (it’s sad and you can skip it if you prefer)-
Last week I needed to leave my home due to hazardous conditions from multiple fires destroying Oregon. A few days were spent getting by at different hotels. With no end to the disaster coming for the near future, we had to make a ten-hour trip out to Utah to stay with my sister and her family. We’re very lucky to have a place to go at all, but many days of work were lost dealing with this and circumstances aren’t great going forward.
I’m working out of a guest bedroom in a crowded home and I have very few possessions, nearly all of my things are still at my home in Oregon and at this point we don’t know if the fires will eventually reach it or if they’ll be stopped before then. There’s a major fire about 30 miles to the North and another quite large one about 30 miles to the South. We can only wait and see how it ends.
It’s honestly hard to manage, however, we’re not going to give up and development isn’t going to stop; it’s just slower. Focusing on the work as best as I can is really the only distraction I have from everything else going on. Social media posts/progress updates will continue as normal and will keep being upbeat, but until otherwise mentioned this is the situation I’m under.
With that said, please don’t feel obligated to do or change anything because of this. I don’t want our supporters to feel guilty if they wanted the game on time or as though they have to find a way to support the project even further. It’s not anyone’s fault these things are happening and I’m only sharing the details because I want people to be aware of the true troubles that are causing this delay. It isn’t something that’s being taken lightly.
Thank you for following this project. I hope we all get through these hard times to something better.
Comments (33)
Oh man I'm really sorry. And take all the time you need to finish the game. I'm fine with waiting as long as you and your family are safe.
Thank you very much! Things are doing a lot better now, so hopefully thing all go well from here :D
Oh my goodness, I’m glad you had a place to go and that you and your family are doing okay! Praying for you! Also the deadline date seems really cool. That’s actually my birthday and I think cove being released then would be the best birthday present I’ve ever received! 🙂
Thank you for the kind thoughts! And that's wonderful. I'm glad the new date will be a happy one for you ^^
I'm sorry that things are so difficult for you and your family right now. I'm both impressed and proud of how much you're working hard for OL during such a trying time, but more than anything, I'm hoping that things will improve for you soon. Thank you for informing us of what's going on, as well as for everything that you're doing for OL. Please take care - we'll continue supporting you just as OL has supported us during this year!
Thank you. That's very sweet of you to say <3. We'll keep doing our best.
I'm very glad you and your family are okay but I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you'll be able to return to Oregon safely soon enough. Please take care of yourself first and foremost. Thank you for all of your hard work and for bringing so much joy to my life through your wonderful games <3
Thank you! I really appreciate the understanding.
Thank you very much! I'm so happy you're still looking forward to it.
I totally understand. I’m fact, I 100% agree with the release date being pushed back. You need to take care of yourself, that should always come first. 2020 hasn’t been a good year for ANYONE. I love our life with every fiber of my being and would wait YEARS for the release if I had to. This game has brought so much light into my life and it’s helped me through some rough times, so thank you ☺️ I will continue to support this game as much as I am able to.
Thank you so much for all the support and patience ;;. I'm really glad OL has been able to brighten your days.
Seriously, I don't most of us mind waiting longer for a game, more so when it's comimg from a team as dedicated as you guys. Besides like you said, this isn't anyone's fault. I just hope your home - and that of other people - survive this with as minimal damages as possible. Wether the game comes at the old deadline or later, we all know it's going to be amazing and we appreciate all of you working on it!
Thank you! That's really kind of you to say.
I'm so sorry you and your family have to go through something like that, I'll keep you in my thoughts. I really hope your situation gets better and just know your work is heavily appreciated here. 💓
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that you care!
Thats awful. Im also in Oregon, and the fires are terrifying. I will admit that my situation is no where near as bad, since I was able to return home after just a few day of evacuating. I sincerely hope that the fires are able to be stopped or at least contained before they reach your home.
Thank you for the well-wishes! I'm glad you were alright where you are.
A delay is an extremely small price to pay for a polished game and, far more importantly, the continued health and safety of the developers. I think most reasonable people can agree on that. Please take care. 🙏
Thank you so much <3
I already responded on disc so I'll keep this somewhat short. You see all my love and support for the OL characters? Take a big chunk of that and keep it got yourself. I have so much appreciation and respect for what you do! I sincerely hope things get better for you real soon, but until then keep yourself safe and sane. Keeping a level of normalcy is really important.
*for
It's ok, I understand, and all I care about is that you and your family are safe. I live in Ohio, so this has nothing to do with the fires in the West, but my cousin lost her home last week due to arson. If I can't find a place in my heart to worry about you, I don't know what that would say about me. A couple of weeks of a delay is small in comparison to someone possibly losing their home.
Thank you for understanding! I'm so sorry for your cousin. I hope she's able to get through this and recover from such a horrible loss.
Hang in there and stay safe! I'm also in Oregon so I know how bad it is, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts! I can't properly express how much joy the game has brought me, so please take as much time as the team needs, especially with how circumstances are right now.
Thank you! I hope you'll be safe where you are in Oregon. And that's wonderful to hear. I'm so glad Our Life has brought you joy.
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear you and your family had to go through that! 2020 proves again and again that it's the worse year ever :/ And please, take all the time you need. Things are tough now, but I know eventually everything will get better :) Please stay safe!
Yeah, it's been a very hard year for everyone. Thank you for the encouragement!
Its very unfortunate what you and your family are going through. It breaks my heart that so many people, including yourself, are going through such tragedy, especially during the pandemic. We wish you nothing but the best and send lots of love and good fortune your way!
Thank you for understanding!
I am so sorry to hear that, please stay safe and don't worry about how long it's going to take! Hope everything works out on your end🙏
Thank you <3
I really hope you guys situation improves and you all come out of this okay. I don't mind if the game gets delayed (a week or a few months it doesn't matter) as long as you all can stay on your feet and are okay! ❤ love you guys!
Thank you so much!