Update

Oh hey, it’s another year

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Boring intro
Skip to the 2024 section if you’re interested in what I’m working on.
Yes, you read the title right: it is my privilege to inform you that another year has begun, which would also imply that the last one has ended. Where did it go? In fact, where do all years go when they’re done? Scientists may never find the answer to this poignant* question. Luckily, we do have the technology to remember the past year and reflect upon it. Reflecting on 365 days on a global scale is a bit much and I’m hoping to finish this post before lunch, so I, personally, will limit the scope to my own work this past year. That’s not all, it’s also time to look at the newly-born year, freshly squirted out of the Womb of Time.

2023: The Year of New Beginnings and the Old on Hold
Backing up your work is important. One way to do so is using source control, like git. Additionally, creating a physical backup every now and then is a solid idea. Really solid. I used to do this diligently for many years, and when my hard drive gave up about 6 years ago, all was backed up and there was no problem. However, over the years I became lazier and more negligent, to the point that I just didn’t use source control for 1 (one) project (this one). When that project was almost done, my SSD (on which it was stored) gave up. This time it posed a larger problem: I had lost that entire project and some spritework / design documents I had done for Cursed Travels: Sunken City. My SSD was promptly sent to a data retrieval specialist, which would “only take 6 weeks at most”.
This was back in April… They’re supposedly still working on it.
I had decided to put Sunken City on hold, because even though the damage on that project was (luckily) minimal, I would rather continue where I left it if I ever got it back. Instead, I started many new projects, some actually very promising ones, to fill the time. One was Lost in Lampyrid Fog, my “big release” this year, which spawned 3 other, new projects. Also, I’d argue Lampyrid Fog was actually 2 games in 1.
I feel like I’ve done a lot but also very little past year, I don’t want to look at my resolutions from past year’s post though. Anyway, that brings us to (the more positive) next year.

2024: The Year of New Endings and the Old Resumed
After a drought there’s usually rain, right? I intend to actually finish a lot of those projects I started last year and even some from before that. In theory, next year will see a significant number of releases and I’m optimistic that this theory is realistic. Below’s a very vague, small glimpse of some projects that are most likely to see the light of day. Some might be the usual free web games, some I intend to bring to Steam / Itch for a small price and others I’d really like to release on mobile (for free). Note that while it’s realistic that next year will see a good number of releases, the list below is still overly optimistic.

For sure:

  • Bullet hell game. First on web, there’s always the very slim possibility for a bigger Steam release. The existence of this project shouldn’t come as a surprise if you followed along during Lampyrid’s release.
  • Warper Mobile: The original Warper’s content will be more than doubled, enhanced and released on mobile. I was surprised how fun and potential-rich(?) this title still is.
  • Some brand-new, casual, relaxing fun on Halloween. This might also be a mobile release, but we’ll see.
  • Ferry Wheel: LET’S DO IT, WHO’S HYPED FOR SOME BASIC PUZZLING YEAAHHH!!! On web and mobile, probably. I need to test the mobile waters with something simple, this one might be perfect for that. In case you’re wondering what I’m referring to: Ferry Wheel is that one small game you get to play when you join my mailing list.
  • Cursed Travels: Sunken City: If it’s not this year, I’m going to be very sad. On Steam, obviously. Don’t forget to wishlist it!
  • A web-based Cursed Travels: It’s been a while, I need to reignite some hype for Sunken City. Scenario and design are done.

Really want to (I’ll try!):

  • A game that is actually casual and relaxing.
  • Top down puzzler, web based.
  • Cool, epic puzzle game for mobile for awesome people who are clever and stuff. This one’s actually over halfway done, I’m just realising while typing this.
  • A fishing game. Maybe not as peaceful as Generic Fishing Game, but still quite relaxing.

Highly unlikely, but I will work on it sporadically:

Distant horizon:

Hm. That’s more than I thought. Well, let’s see what this year’ll bring. Let me know if I forgot anything. Don’t forget to join my Discord (do it), and maybe check out the ol’ Patreon page.
Happy New Year! See ya!
…OH! We need an image, otherwise this post is just text and it could do with some visual to use as header. Here’s the annual screenshot of Project Amidst:

* I have no idea what this word means.

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