Where Reclaiming the Lost is right now, and where it's going
Hey everyone,
I owe you an honest update on what's happening with the game, so here it is.
A bit of history
When I started Reclaiming the Lost, I was building it in the evenings and on weekends, alongside a full-time job. Updates back then were around 100–150 renders each. That was every spare hour I had, squeezed into the game.
Then I made a decision: I quit my job and went all in on RTL. That's when the updates started growing. The last one, came in at over 1,000 renders and 130+ animations. Going from 150 renders to 1,000 is not something I could have done while splitting my time.
Now I want to make the next leap.
The honest part
After the last update release, I had to step away to deal with some personal matters, and development has been on hold since then.
But this pause has a purpose. I've been using it to plan how RTL moves from a one-person project to something bigger: a small team of people working on the game together. I've hit the ceiling of what one developer can do, and the only way to raise it is to stop being one developer.
What this means for you
The next update will not come quickly. Finding the right people and getting a team working smoothly takes time, and I'd rather do it right than rush it.
When it does come, it will be big. Think of the same kind of jump we made from 150 renders to 1,000. That's what a team makes possible, and that's the goal.
I'll keep you posted. As the team comes together, I'll share progress here so you know what's happening behind the scenes.
We're looking for people
If you've worked on game development before, I'd love to hear from you. In particular:
3D artists and designers (DAZ Studio, Blender)
Ren'Py programmers
Writers, animators, and anyone else with real experience shipping visual novels
Send a short intro, your resume or portfolio, and examples of your work to:
poratalpassion@gmail.com
Thank you
I know a pause like this isn't what anyone wants to hear, and I'm grateful to everyone who's stuck around. Your support is what made going full-time possible in the first place, and it's what will make this next step possible too.
More soon.
Passion's Portal <3
Comments (14)
What you've created with RTL is simply amazing. The character relationships, the love, passion, tension, and HEAT that develops over time is completely engrossing and compelling. The scenarios, the way they play out, always surprise me with their creativity, authenticity, and ardor. While having to wait for the next installment is unfortunate, ( I JUST WANT MORE NOW :P) I am so excited to see where you go and what you are able to achieve moving forward. You've made an ardent fan of me, for RTL and hopefully many more projects to follow. Thank you!
Hello, and thank you for your incredible game. It is the first game of this genre that I’ve truly enjoyed and that keeps me hooked—not just for a single playthrough; I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played through it taking different paths, yet it feels just as engaging every time. I eagerly await the continuation of this wonderful game. Once I sort out the subscription details, I’ll support you financially because you deserve it; I fully understand how important this is for supporting further development. ❤️😊.
Hello Passion's Portal (Team) Don't forget to look at working with GOG to release it there as well. They offer a large number of AVNs and do not seem to have issues with adult subject matter. They also do not push Client service dependancy. They offer an optional client that is customer choice to use or not. Check them out when you have time. GOG is an alternate market that many developers are finding and working with for gamers like myself who do not like client dependancy (DRM) in games. Well worth the look. Best of wishes to you and your new team!
I love what you're doing; I've really grown fond of the characters, so keep it up, champ! 🙌 And just in case you need an idea: I would have liked a scene where the protagonist interacts more with Evelyn, Emily, and Chloe—you know what I mean... If there were a chance to choose a scenario where all three of them take part, that would be spectacular.
I wish you find the right people to carry the vision forward not simply to preserve what has been built, but to refine it, deepen it, and take it somewhere even more meaningful. Quality is rare; sustaining it while striving for something greater is rarer still. Wishing you the very best for everything that lies ahead.
I came across your game some time ago, I think it was a first demo at the time. The story immediately fascinated me and I bought the game on Steam. I played a few playthroughs of the currently available story at the time. After the cool scene with Olivia at the bridge, however, the game stopped and there was no sign of life for a long time. I was all the more pleased that it went on after all and that this exciting story will continue. On Steam we are now at version 0.13. I'm not really a fan of playing a game "piece by piece". I will enjoy playing this great story in a complete and consistent run. I think it's brave of you to make this job your main livelihood now. The game is great and your ambitions are worthy of all honor. That's why I continue to support you on Patreon and hope you get a creative and knowledgeable team. We as players will definitely have the benefit, because I'm sure you already have more plans for new games in the pipeline. I wish you many creative moments, thank you for what you've achieved so far, and stay healthy!
Awesome, I enjoy your games.
Much more than 3
Honestly it's better to have a plan and act accordingly to it instead of doing it on a passing whim. I've seen other creators giving up on their projects because they were developing it randomly and because of that didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel and they felt like it was going to take forever.
Sounds good... Good luck bringing your ideas to life! I hope you manage to build a great team that will maintain—or even improve—the quality and, most importantly, preserve the game’s original vision. Waiting isn’t a problem; the main thing is knowing that the project is still alive :)
Sounds like a good plan ........hoping it all works out and we'll be here for you & the Game :)
Thank you :)
I hope you find the right ppl. without losing the quality, rather improving it. Wish you good luck, we'll see where the roads will lead us.
Thank you! The goal is a better RTL, not just a bigger one. Thanks for sticking around, glad to have you on this road.