Embracing the Journey: From Personal Challenge to Public Creation
Dear followers,
Today, I want to share a deep reflection on the journey we have embarked upon together and express my gratitude for the support and understanding you have shown. This project began as a personal challenge, far from the notion of becoming a public game. It was a private space where I, armed with basic programming and 3ds Max modeling skills, decided to embark on creating a visual novel. This was my challenge, my testing ground, where every line of code and every model were exercises in honing my skills.
The evolution of this project from its inception has been both surprising and humbling. Initially, I shared it privately on my itch.io page, accessible only to close friends who wished to take a peek. This private space was temporary, and the project was hidden after each preview. It wasn't intended to be a game in the traditional sense but rather a technical demonstration of my developing skills, a personal project with no intentions of reaching a broader audience.
The original plot, revolving around a character returning to their hometown, similar to today's Mark, was infused with personal experiences and anecdotes shared among friends. It was, at its core, a project for our amusement, with no expectations of external attention.
However, in June 2022, the course of this project dramatically changed when a moderator from the F95zone forum shared it, increasing its visibility to thousands of players. This moment was a turning point, as the project was subjected to critiques and evaluations as if it were a final version intended for the public, leading me to face challenging and harsh comments.
This episode was a wake-up call that prompted me to reconsider the purpose and direction of the project. I decided to embrace constructive criticism and start from scratch, dedicating a full year to improving and rebuilding every aspect, transforming what began as a technical demo into a more refined and structured project. This process was not without personal challenges, including the painful loss of a loved one, which deeply affected me.
Through these ups and downs, the unwavering support from many of you has been my beacon. Your encouragement has allowed me to overcome difficult times and continue with this project, which I now see with new eyes. The current version of the project, released in May 2023, is the result of this learning and growth process, vastly different from the original concept I shared with a small circle of friends.
I understand the criticisms regarding the development time, especially in comparison with other projects. However, my focus remains on learning and improving with each step, committing to delivering an experience worth waiting for. The upcoming version 0.1.20A will bring significant changes and improvements, marking another step towards the completion of this journey.
In closing, I sincerely want to thank you for being with me on this journey. Your support is what motivates me to keep moving forward, and I hope you continue to enjoy this project as much as I enjoy creating it for you.
With gratitude, Slusiom