Hey everyone,
So now that I'm a ways in to Early Access and have had a chance to do my first major update, it's time to take a look at the game's overall scope. If you look at the store-page, you'll see I altered the final level-count estimate from 9-12 to 7. I just wanted to take a minute and explain that, since 7 is obviously not between 9 and 12.
First, it might not end up meaning anything. If I can, and it adds to the game meaningfully, I may well end up with more. However, when potential customers are looking at the page I feel it's my job to give them my best estimate of where things will end up. Having completed some necessary rewrites, I now know the game will have at least 7 levels, so that's what I updated the page to say. Doubt anyone will be mad if it ends up with more, but erring in the other direction would be lame.
Second, I need to make sure the game gets done. To the surprise of no one, Early Access, unless you are extremely lucky, is not really a money-making enterprise. I was prepared for that, but part of that preparation means having to potentially go get a full-time job again. Anyone who has ever worked in the games industry knows full-well that a 40-hour work-week is rarer than a unicorn sighting, so trying to balance that and produce another 5-7 levels would be asking for failure.
Anyway, I don't really think it's even that big of a deal. From a story perspective it honestly helps a bit by making things tighter. A few less levels will also mean the opportunity to better focus on features/overall feel/gameplay. In the end, if the game gets done and people are clamouring for more, great, that's a problem I'd love to have, and one I can easily respond to by making more levels ;) It's just very important to me to be clear and honest about what players can expect as the game continues moving forward.
-Sean