Issue #10 - Backwards and Forwards
As you may remember, version 0.3 released one week ago! This newest update included a ton of new features, with a major focus on the game's systems and the first area, Stuffies Town. If you haven't played it yet, you can download the build here. In this issue, I want to look back at some of the feedback I've received on the build in the past week, as well as look ahead to what v0.4 will eventually bring.
Looking Backwards
Just from a pure numbers standpoint, v0.3's release was one of the biggest weeks for Barty's Adventure. It received more visibility this past week than in any other, with over 100 people visiting the itch page. While this number is nowhere near what I want it to eventually be, I am encouraged that I'm getting that kind of traffic through mostly only Reddit and Discord announcements. I think with a more fleshed out marketing plan, better marketing materials, and a switch to Steam, I can exponentially raise that number.
With so much visibility, I received a decent number of comments on the build itself. People seem to be enjoying the revamped dialogue system, the cutscenes, and loopback system. But the biggest thing I've noticed is that the number of crash reports is way down from where it was a couple of months ago. No one wants to play a broken game, and by focusing on those areas, I think I made a much more enjoyable experience.
As for bugs, there definitely were some, but I'm trying to jump on them ASAP and release patches as quick as I can. I already released v0.3.1 fixing a bunch of bugs and v0.3.2 should come out early this week with even more fixes and Q0L features (like dialogue skip!). I think this quick patching of the game will be allow everyone to focus on the content, and with the bugs not being the large, game-crashing kind, I can patch them that much more quickly.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with where the game is now. I put in a bunch of work for only two months, including what felt like some real crunch, but I think that hard work shows. Going forward, I want to try to avoid those endless hours refining the game. The only way to do that and still feel good about the build is solid planning and staying strict with myself.
Looking Forwards
So what is that plan right now? Where do we go from here? Well first, I have to take it a little easier on myself. More sleep, healthier food, and touching grass all need to be part of my dev process, or I won't survive past the summer. Making this game has been one of the few true passions I've found in my life, something I want to wholly throw myself into. But with that comes the responsibility to take care of myself, for my own health as well as the betterment of my family. So this first week post-release, I've taken it a little easier. I worked on a few things here and there, but I didn't grind the way I was in June. And honestly, it feels great.
I worry of course that the next deadline will create another urge to grind, so I'm working on ways to prevent that. v0.4 is set to release in the beginning of September, with a focus on the Bookshelf and Kitchen areas of the game. Both areas are built with some dialogue and quests in place, so I'll hopefully already have an easier time with less to accomplish. But there is a looming list of tasks not completed in Stuffies Town, as well as a growing Issues log that needs addressing. This week is all about prioritizing these tasks in "benefit to the user". I'm hoping to get a little bit of systems refinement and issues resolved along with the revamping of the next two areas of the game. It will be a lot of work, but with planning and discipline I think I can get it done.
Overall, the game is progressing which is the main takeaway. I formed an LLC for the game and I'm starting to research artists to create key art for a Steam page. That's when things will hopefully really start growing, all leading to the demo release near the holidays. As always, thank you all for the support and I hope you enjoy where the game is headed!
Talk to you soon! 😄
This newsletter is an update series for the development of the game Barty's Adventure. If you are interested in continuing the conversation, please join the community Discord server: https://discord.gg/M7p2Mtgkyx. Your input in these early stages of the game are invaluable and much appreciated. Thanks!
