Hey everyone, just wanted to give a quick update on how development is going. I know I haven't been too consistent with updates, but I've got some cool stuff to show off.
ADVENTURE MODE
Aight, this is the big one.
In case you didn't read the last update, the new update will include a brand new mode - Adventure Mode. In this mode, you can tackle 8 autoscrolling stages back to back with up to four players. There is a boss at the end of each level
Adventure Mode is about 80% done. The game is fully functional, but severely lacks polish at the moment. It isn't quite ready yet for public consumption.
...But when it is, it'll be pretty awesome.
OTHER NEW FEATURES
I'd like to introduce to you something you guys might appreciate.
Customizable characters!
You can now pick your cat's color, hat, and outline color. As of right now, there are over 40 different hats, but I plan on adding as many as I can.
Some of the gameplay options have been tweaked a bit too. I removed the ? Capsules in favor of Oil Cans to make that option more of a clear hazard rather than potentially being both. The ? Capsules still appear in-game when the option is turned on, but not nearly as frequently.
There is also now a screen border when the game is in fullscreen. I plan on adding the option to toggle it on/off as well as switch to different borders but I haven't implemented it yet.
ARRANGED SOUNDTRACK
I am working on an arranged soundtrack as well. I'm unsure if this will be prepared in time for the release of Adventure Mode, but I'll hold my tongue until then. More details at a later date.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm gonna format this section like a FAQ just because it's a lot easier to address these things when posed as questions.
Q: Online Multiplayer?
A: After this update if I can ever figure it out. Keep in mind that I'm a college student working 40hrs at a day job, so I don't have as much time to look into ambitious stuff like that anymore. I would really... REALLY like to do online multiplayer, I just don't have the time to research how it works and incorporate it into my code quite yet.
tl;dr I want to eventually, but don't count on it. I'm just one guy.
Q: Trading cards?
A: With the change to how Steam is approaching trading cards, it's starting to look less and less like it's worth my time. It isn't off the table yet but it's not really a priority at the moment, if that makes sense.
Q: Is Adventure Mode going to be free?
A: Absolutely. I don't think locking any existing Space Cat owners out of the experience is a good idea, however I plan on upping the price of the game to $5.99 a short while after the update is out. The extra content does change my perception of how much the game is worth.
Q: Are you going to add the Adventure Mode tracks to the OST on Bandcamp?
Yup. the full OST will still be $2.99, so don't worry about that.
Q: Will there be a gameplay trailer so I know what I'm getting into with Adventure Mode?
A: I haven't recorded anything yet but I want to make a pretty extensive trailer for Adventure Mode. More than anything, I'm having trouble trying to round up three of my friends to record on a day that we're all available.
With summer coming along, that should be easier though. Expect a trailer within a month or so.
Q: Update release date?
I hate giving specific dates because it's so hard to meet up to them, no matter how far into the future you set them.
I'm still going to give you a better time frame. At the earliest, it will be out in June. At the absolute latest, August.
Q: Any updates on console ports?
A: Not yet. I would really like to port to Nintendo Switch first, but once again, that all depends on whenever YoYoGames and Nintendo actually decide to get along and give Game Maker Studio a Switch export option.
Even if that doesn't become the case with GM:Studio, Studio 2 is on the way. If Studio 2 ends up having an export option for Switch, then I'm definitely going for it.
Until then, enjoy the game on PC. Worst case scenario, I could try porting the entire game to Unity (depending on how easy that is). At that point I might just move onto another project.
CONCLUSION
TL;DR
- Adventure Mode is 80% done, releases Summer (Free DLC)
- Custom cat colors, hats, outlines coming with update.
- Trailer coming soon.
- OST will be updated with new tracks on day of update.
- Arranged Soundtrack is happening, more details later. No release date for that yet.
Hopefully that clears up some fog around the new mode. I know it's hard to get hyped up about something without any gameplay footage, but hopefully the screenshots do some justice in the meantime while I prepare the trailer.
Once again, thank you all for supporting the game and helping make my dream come true. It's crazy to think that I'd actually have the opportunity to publish my own video game at age 19.
I'll see you all in the next update blog!
(I felt the need to plug my Twitter too. I'm not very professional over there, but if you wanna follow me for updates or just talk about games, follow me there and maybe hit me up for my Discord too.)
