Author Comments
Re-vote
There was significant interest in re-voting for releasing Episode 3: Decay (part 1/2) alone.
It seems like many asking for a re-vote felt they didn't have enough information previously. This time I've done my best to really hammer home everything relevant.
Information Recap
Episode 3: Decay (part 1/2) is complete. It ends on a cliffhanger for Episode 4: Decay (part 2/2) which is not complete.
Episode 3: Decay (part 1/2)'s quality will neither improve nor decrease regardless of it being released alone or with Episode 4: Decay (part 2/2).
It cannot be rushed as it is already complete.
It won't become better as it is already complete.
E3: Decay (part 1/2):
Is complete.
Is roughly 6 hours long.
Has 1 ending.
Has 1 cliffhanger (Before episode 4).
Has 4 dead-ends / fail states.
E4: Decay (part 2/2):
Is fully written.
Is in development.
Will be in development for a very long time.
E3: Burial:
Is fully written.
Development has NOT started.
Does NOT connect to, nor share any content with Decay.
Here is an image of what the Decay branch looks like as of right now.
The Cliffhanger
Neither Episode 1 nor 2 ended on a cliffhanger.
While the overarching narrative remains unfinished, both episodes successfully concluded the part of the story they set out to tell.
This is not the case with Episode 3: Decay (part 1/2) which cuts off abruptly.
It is possible to play the game from start to finish if you go for a specific ending. Otherwise the story builds up and cuts off without a satisfying conclusion. All the pay off is in episode 4, which is still in development.
Development Time
I can't give an accurate estimate for how long Episode 4: Decay (part 2/2) is going to take. Adapting the story to game form isn't easily measured, and I'd rather not set myself up to fail by randomly guessing at it.
Information that takes a couple lines of exposition to convey in writing, might take 2 minutes in-game, or it might take 20 minutes. This depends entirely on whether the game info dumps at you, or lets you roam around experiencing things for yourself. Latter means more gameplay, backgrounds, CGs, items, events, available actions, etc... basically more everything, and much more work.
All I know is that it's going to be a while. It could easily be another year.
"Author's Wishes" and Addressing Common Concerns
It has come to light that some players had voted based on what they mistakenly believed I wanted.
The only thing I wanted was to know if people would take issue with a cliffhanger.
I had some hesitation about releasing the episode knowing how much people hate cliffhangers. Other than that, I do not have any strong feelings about it one way or the other, as it doesn't affect me. I'm not the one playing it. You are.
The vote was, and still is, only about whether you can handle what might likely be an unsatisfying cliffhanger until episode 4 releases and finishes the story.
I've made a point to be less hyperbolic this time around, as it seems to confuse rather than amuse.
Voting
Do you want Episode 3: Decay (part 1/2) to be released, or do you want to wait until Episode 4: Decay (part 2/2) is also completed?
Vote by leaving a comment, or by badging this months discussion topic.
Gotta Have it!
I don't mind a cliffhanger. Releasing part 1 alone is fine.
Poetry
I resent cliffhangers to the point I'd rather wait another year or so for both episodes to be released together.
[h4]Speak now, or forever hold your peace. You have one (1) month.[/h4]