Issue #19 - Two Steps Forward...
Hey there! I'm back with another update on Barty's Adventure. It's been a busy couple of weeks on the marketing side of things, so let's dive right in as to what I've been up to. Of course, if you haven't wishlisted the game on Steam, you can do that HERE!
Many Meetings
In prepping for my demo this Spring, I decided to reach out to a PR firm to see if it made sense to work together in the weeks leading up to the release. I met with some amazing people from UberStrategist, who handles PR for a lot of top games on the market. The meeting went amazing, but it got me reflecting on the state of Barty's Adventure currently and what I should be investing my very limited budget in.
I also met with a quality testing company who could help me refine the ideas for the demo, but it still seemed like I was putting the cart before the horse. In the end, it was a couple of conversations with my game development buddies that I realized that if I was going to spend any money on the game, it should make the game a better product. (Sidebar: Purple Moss Collectors made the amazing Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers and Calm Pewter is working on the manic Quizard's Domain, support both games!).
And that leads to my next adventure...
Facelift
If I'm making the game better by hiring outside help, the first area I'm going to tackle is the art. While I've gotten used to my art style over the past few years, I fully understand that it can be off-putting to look at. I want the childish vibe, but I also want to be taken seriously.
So I created a job on UpWork to hire a freelancer to help with the art. I hired Rufino to give all of my current sprites a facelift, and the first result is definitely noticeable while still keeping my style intact. I worry about the sheer quantity of work needed with thousands of my own sprites requiring upgrades, but all I can do is keep moving forward.
The only downside is that I now need to push the demo until the art is completed. I'm hoping that it will be ready in June, but I'm not sure given what needs to be done. Either way, I won't stop working on the project, and I'll keep pushing to that finish line.
Streaming has taken a back seat too with all of these changes, but hoping it can take off starting either this week or next. Don't forget to follow at https://www.twitch.tv/hiddenpixelsseabass.
Seabass Picks
Some repeat picks but I'm working my way through all of them. As always, share what you've been reading/watching/playing!
Games: Baldur's Gate 3 (still!); Avowed (all the choices!); Link's Awakening (first time!); Chrono Trigger (I will FINALLY beat this!); Assassins Creed: Shadows (solid but slow so far!)
Books: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Shows: Severance (Season 2 - FINISHED! WOWWWW); White Lotus (Seasons 1 - FINISHED, 2, and 3)
Hoping to have some art progress in a couple of weeks to share. Thanks! 😄
This newsletter is an update series for the development of the game Barty's Adventure. Please wishlist on Steam here!
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!
