Hey folks!
We've been a little quiet here, but that usually means we're too busy cooking to have the time for writing the longer updates we like to write.
But it's time for an update!
First thing's first, the script for Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut is finished! And we're very, very happy with it. It adds a little over 43,000 words to the length of the game, or, putting it another way, extends the script by about 25%. These additions include significant expansions to three chapters (Fury, Den, and Apotheosis), several brand new chapters (sorry, those details are going to remain hidden for now), and a restructured and bigger climax that should feel much more fluid to move through and that will give you all even more avenues for self-expression.
As part of this update, we also hired the Czech National Orchestra to provide live strings and piano to several important tracks in the game. We hope you enjoy this live performance of the title track in the attached video. While we're keeping the in-game version of this track the same as it already is for the Pristine Cut, this live version will be available on streaming platforms, and also available for purchase through Brandon's store and the supporter's pack. Several tracks in game *will* be replaced by live versions, including Transformation, the Shifting Mound Movements, Apotheosis, and more. While we think this rendition of "The Princess" is beautiful, there's a quiet loneliness to the release version that we want to retain.
As a few other notes, we'd also like to take the opportunity to let you know that:
- We've started work on more merch. You can pre-order a hoodie here, and a t-shirt here. You can also pick up sticker sheets, extra Thorn posters, and some of Abby's comics from our store.
- I know some folks have asked about less minimalist apparel designs as well as other merch. To all of you, you'll be excited to here that we have a lot on the roadmap for the rest of the year.
We know a lot of you have been waiting for an update on Scarlet Hollow, and on that note, Episode 5 continues to come along, but it remains an enormous undertaking, with the end product roughly approaching the total scale of the first three episodes combined. We'll bring a continuation to your adventures in the Holler as soon as possible. But we're still a ways off from being ready to share updates — for us, the script always precedes the art, and the script is still a 500 page-long novel away from being ready. Please know in the meantime that this project remains incredibly dear to our hearts, as would, I hope, any project that a pair of people writes a million words for.
A big part of the reason we're finishing the Pristine Cut before Episode 5 is so we're not pulled in multiple directions while working on our most ambitiously scaled release to date. We also have several things lined up downstream for Slay the Princess later this year that require the project to be finalized before other people's work on it can begin — localizations being a major example.
Thank you so much for bringing us to this point with your patience and support — we've finally reached a place where we can create free from worry, and we never would have gotten here without you. And it's because of you that we're able to make the Pristine Cut a free upgrade for everyone who owns the game. If the Pristine Cut being free feels unfair to you, too bad, but also that's very sweet. If you insist, you can always support us on Patreon, where you can get the earliest previews of what we're working on, as well as access to seeeeeecret channels on our Discord. But that's neither here nor there and wholly unnecessary.
Thank you again so much, and all the best,
Abby and Tony