Been a while, huh?
Cloak and Dasher is not dead, in fact, it's got more features in it than ever! But, there's a catch...
The last public update for Cloak and Dasher was about 1 year ago, wow, time flies. I've been working on the game a ton since then, but as is always true with solo part-time game development, it's slooooow going. I'd like to think those of you familiar with the game are familiar with this by now, but I think it bares reminding. As happy as I am that people have played the game at all, I have come to the conclusion that Early Access was a mistake.
I had this grandiose concept of releasing new maps every month for the game, and building new features in as I went, but that proved unsustainable for a part time developer pretty quickly. Tack onto that the fact that no publisher will touch a game in Early Access, not being allowed to participate in Steam NEXT events, and having lost all "release" marketing momentum, I'm afraid this game is never going to be popular.
So, why don't I give up on it? Honestly, stubbornness! This game is my baby, and since inception I've always wanted to see it through to completion. At the start, completion for me has always meant 3 things.
- Hundreds of levels spanning 4-5 different environments.
- Some form of competitive leaderboards.
- An in-game level editor with level sharing so players can create their own fun.
However... since then, through Early Access Feedback and general brainstorming, a few new points of development appeared, which I really wanted to add in.
- An in-game Achievement system.
- Unlockables for that achievement system. (hats and such)
- Unlockable Hard Mode
- A Medal System
- A reworked Adventure Mode that focused on Individual Levels over Level Sets.
It all comes down to 2 dreaded words in development. Scope Creep.
You mentioned new features?
That's right! As of right now, the Development version of Cloak and Dasher has alot of new stuff compared to the current public version. Namely, it has:
Ghost System
There is now a fully integrated Ghost Replay System in the game. When playing a level or marathon, you can choose to have another player's replay ghost alongside yours! It all happens automatically, you can choose to race against yourself, the next person in the leaderboards, the top of the leaderboards, or your friend's ghosts.
Assist Mode
In an effort to allow for difficulty options, I've added a series of Assist options. While these options are enabled, you will be unable to post scores to the leaderboards, however, you'll be able to do everything else including acquire achievements and unlockables. Play the game your way!
New Environments
The Simulator
The Simulator has been added as a new "starting" environment to the game. It is Cloak's little training ground where they can prepare for the journey ahead.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral environment shows off a spiritual area deep in the underground, where a strange sort of worship occurs, and even stranger spacial anomalies exist! Both areas feature new art, and music!
Teleportals
Teleportals are a new mechanic starting in the Cathedral chapters. They are a one way teleportation system. ANY object passing through a teleportal entrance will be instantly brought to the other side.
Object Patrols
A new system has been devised which allows for ANY object in a level to be given a "patrol" route. This will allow for some interesting dynamics in certain levels which were not possible before.
Updated Environments
Since the beginning, I've wanted nearly all storytelling for the game to be environmental. This has been important to me, as such, Yokcos has gone above and beyond to create TONS of new background art for environments, which has been placed all over. Environments will be much more feature rich now, while not impeding gameplay.
So, where's the update!?
That's the catch... it's all working, but it's not done, and this next update is so big, that it's going to require a wipe of the leaderboards. I do not take wiping the leaderboards in this game lightly. Many players (rightfully) view the leaderboards as the whole point of playing the game. If I'm going to do something to wipe the leaderboards, I need to be completely sure that all the work is done!
My main focus right now is on revamping old levels with the new visuals, which will require tiny tweaks to the map layouts, and until those are done, I can't justify doing an update, for fear of further wipe-requiring tweaks down the line. Once the old levels are updated, my final focus will be on the New Levels for the Cathedral area, and once those are done, the new update will be ready!
I'm working hard every weekend to get these levels done, but there's one major life event that is slowing things down a bit. After years and years of renting, my Wife and I have finally bought a house! We move in soon, which is going to take a while, and a ton of work, but once I'm fully situated, the house is going to do wonders for my productivity, as I'll have an office to work in, instead of my living room!
Thank you to those who have had the patience to stick with me through this project. I know I say this every time, but you're the reason this project continues to grow! It's certainly ballooned in scope, but I'd like to think it's never lost any of its spirit. Each new feature helps push it to be a better game, and I know it's going to live up to your expectations by the end.