So it's January, and the base game is getting close to wrapping up. I know I mentioned the complexities and issues I’ve been having with controller support and that’s the primary reason chapter releases have been delayed. However, it’s now 2026, and I thought it would be a good idea to have a little “State of Things” style devlog to show my broader roadmap for TCM, where we’re currently at, and what I’d like to accomplish this year, so without further ado:
The Base Game is Nearing Completion
Mori, Amir, and Akello are getting very close to wrapping up their routes, which means that the TCM is nearing completion for what I call the ‘base game’. Before the finished base game is released, I want to have completed the following:
Full controller support and related bugs fixed
Full game script edit from beginning to end
Final pass for polish opportunities
Once these things are taken care of, TCM will exit Early Access on Steam and become a real boy a fully released game.
Market Hostility re: 18+ Games
It’s been a really weird six months with the scrutiny and censorship of adult games on the internet. For now, I plan to weather the storm as much as I can but I do want to say that I’ve really appreciated how understanding ya’ll have been as I try to find some semblance of stability in which to plan for the future…
Things are Expensive ;_;
Obviously, the biggest challenge facing TCM right now is how uncertain that future is for adult gaming as a whole. With that totally being a gray area right now, it’s really hard to plan out what 2026- and the game’s lifespan- will look like.
Because I avoid alternatives like AI, costs rack up quickly for things TCM needs. This year, I not only paid artists, trailer editors, capsule artists, and composers for work on TCM, but I’m also paying for new merch products and related costs. Now, of course, the goal of all these expenses is to make TCM the best it can be, but my point is that these things add up quickly. Prices for these things have also gotten very, very expensive in recent months/years, and this sparks the cycle of worry all over again, considering how much I’ve spent and the threat to TCM’s marketplaces.
Patreon and the Etsy shop have been helping, however! And I plan to add new items to the shop as much as I can, and both of them help bring in revenue to cover development costs. As I weigh the options of moving forward with TCM and how to finance it (and my contractors). Keeping Patreon and Etsy attractive to both old and new fans will be a focus going into 2026 as that might be the most win-win way to cover costs.
But MERCH
I am very excited to be able to start exploring merchandise; it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I plan to add new items regularly (monthly, if I can manage it) and would love to hear suggestions, desires, feedback, hopes & dreams you may have regarding merch. One thing I am painfully aware of is that shipping costs are absurd, and I am sorry about that! Unfortunately, Etsy limits my shipping options for items I’m shipping out of my house. Items that get shipped directly from the manufacturing location (t-shirts and such) tend to have much cheaper options, which is a semi-win in my books, at least. Here’s hoping things settle down sooner rather than later and international packages especially stop costing an arm and a leg to send.
ARTBOOK
A TCM artbook is currently in development! It’s going to be a really fancy full-color, hardcover print job and include illustrations from the game, including CGs, backgrounds, sprite art, etc, plus development processes, interviews with Atlas and me, supplementary art from other artists, and a fair amount of doodles and other misc stuff that’s never made it out of me & Atlas’ Discord DMs. Digital copies are also planned, though details on that TBD as the project coalesces more.
also
He’s Coming
Development schedule and release dates TBA but Raath will be getting his own full route. Stay tuned for more details
One final note-
I will be at Taiyoucon in Phoenix, AZ on Friday, January 23rd for a TCM meet up! I have not reserved designated table space for this so it will be very casual but if any of you will be attending, I'd love to meet you! Further details about when and where I'll be coming soon, keep an eye on discord or bluesky for the most up to date info.