Hey everyone.
Let's start by addressing the Crimson Walrus in the room.
The Secret Route Update
I know it's been a while. I initially planned to release the update in November.
Now it's the next year and it's still not out. I'm currently experiencing burnout from writing and creative work in general. Even writing this text is harder than I expected.
While working on the game, I dubbed the last sprint until release the Month of Hell (also known as August). I pushed through all my limits to finally finish it, as I was running out of money and time. Afterwards, I allowed myself a few days to relax, but as the trouble with the Steam Age rating arose, I spent most of my holiday worrying about everything again.
As long as the promised update is not out, I have a lot of trouble relaxing and sleeping well. Despite having written over 2000 text boxes, of which 1000 have already been implemented, I feel immensely guilty for being so slow.
Agatha
As I saw in my newspaper that it's been exactly 50 years since Agatha Christie died, I'd like to share some information about what you can expect from the True Route Update.
At first, you can expect to see Agatha. Not the famous author, but a Dream Demon who has taken her prestigious name as her own, styling herself the Queen of Crime.
She was initially planned to appear in Chapter 3, but I pushed this back multiple times as it just didn't feel quite right. My testers weren't sufficiently convinced by her, so I rewrote her introduction several times until I got it right.
Secondly, the update will feature many more CGI artworks than initially planned.
Usually, each sub-chapter only has one, but with the True Route, I went a bit overboard, with five in total. There are just too many important scenes, and the extra time has given my artist more room to breathe and add more than usual.
I've teased this one, called 'Strategy Session', multiple times already, and once you reach this point in the game, you'll understand why. It's probably my favourite part of the update so far.
Third, you can expect a new rival for the final trial. Who could that be? (It's not Agatha)
Remaining Questions
In terms of the story, I hope to answer all the questions that were left unresolved by the normal ending. There are far too many story branches that deserve a proper conclusion and have been left untouched. These include the Ars Goetia, Klara's Plan, Ilmarinen's secret, saving Wälsungenblut, Krystyna's final riddle, and Alentura's promise, to name but a few.
I still need to figure out how to make Lupita more plot-relevant, though.
Beta for the Update
Once the update is ready to be tested, I will make a proper announcement and set up a new beta branch. Translations into Korean, Japanese and German will follow after that.
I can not tell a release date, for obvious reasons. My current aim for the beta would be the end of the month, but by this point I know that I just sound silly.
Final Word
To let this news end of a positive note, I've got something important for you.
Ilmarinen, you need to exercise your grey cells a bit more.
You were chasing a pink herring the whole time, believing it would lead you to the truth.
If you want to save yourself, answer the following question:
Tell me, who is the real U.N. Owen?
Who is the true culprit?