Welcome back to another development update on Mole Maiden! This month, I've made significant progress, which I'm eager to share with you. So, without further ado, let's dive into the updates.
Set Dressing:
Following my roadmap outlined in January, the first quarter of this year is all about crafting and decorating the remaining areas of the game. This month, I focused on two particularly intriguing spaces: Okimagma and HIVE HQ.
Okimagma marks the game's final frontier. A treacherous descent just beneath the earth's crust, it's a land of scorching heat, dominated by molten rock and bubbling magma. Despite its dangers, Okimagma promises an unforgettable adventure, assuming you can handle the journey.
HIVE HQ stands in stark contrast as the nerve center of our antagonists, the HIVE. This technologically advanced institution serves as a formidable challenge. Your mission to infiltrate it turns into an intense enemy gauntlet, simplifying the design process but ensuring an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Collaboration Updates:
Last month, I kicked off an exciting collaboration with TNH Nebula to enrich Mole Maiden's OST. While I won't unveil a new track today, I'm thrilled to report we've created another absolute banger! Stay tuned for more updates.
Adjusted Scope:
In line with the development timeline, I've made strategic cuts to the game's scope, particularly around planned boss battles. This decision aligns with my adherence to Fumito Ueda's philosophy of design by subtraction. It's crucial, especially at this stage, to focus on refining the game into a cohesive experience. Ideas that haven't materialized by now were likely too ambitious or not fully baked from the start.
From now on, I also plan on making sure to create full-scale builds and play through the entire game from start to finish once a month to allow me time to see how the game plays as an entire package.
What’s Next:
Looking ahead, March promises to be an exciting month. The map's completion will mark the end of alpha phase 3, a significant milestone in our journey. Moreover, I'm thrilled to be attending GDC, where I'll connect with fellow developers and share insights from Mole Maiden's development.
I'm incredibly grateful for your support and enthusiasm. Your engagement fuels my passion and dedication to this project. Here's to the next update, and thank you for being a part of Mole Maiden's journey!