Hello everyone,
Ladder it Up is not definitively abandoned despite the lack of updates recently. I'm working on the final update, which will include new content, some fixes, and more. So if there's anything you'd like to see in the game, feel is missing, or if you simply have any suggestions, please share them on the Steam forum or join the Discord and post here: https://discord.gg/AsFdUh85cR
There's no set date for the update yet, but I think there's a chance it might be released before the winter sale. The new map, along with the ASCEND mode, will bring a typical climbing game experience, with the addition of new mechanics as well as those you've encountered so far. The level is still in development. It won't be very long, but I believe it will offer a good amount of fun and new challenges. There are a few more things I want to introduce, but I'll wait to announce them until they're ready.
Here are some screenshots:
Additionally, due to the lack of further support after the update (except for necessary fixes or patches), the price of Ladder It Up will be permanently reduced a bit in certain regions. This price change will occur with the next major update, and the game will also be regularly available on Steam sales.
And now for the Q&A segment:
"Why the end?"
From the beginning, I envisioned Ladder It Up as a quick and short project that would allow me to develop other titles. I’m also a proponent of buying a game and having it in an almost unchanged form, rather than watching it evolve so much that it stops being what I initially liked about it. What's more, I wouldn’t want to be tied down to working on just one game for the next few years. I prefer to grow as a developer by creating new games across different genres, being able to look at each title and know what I learned while working on specific game.
"What’s next since this is the end?"
I'm still working on new games and have plenty of ideas. So, Ladder It Up is just the beginning, and it was mainly created with the goal of funding the next projects.
It was also an important lesson in game development due to a few missteps, shortcomings, and feedback that will help me avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future, especially in terms of game marketing.
"What are the next games"
I’m currently working on two projects.
One is a retro-style horror game that is in a very early stage of production, but I know it will take less time to complete. It will be a rather surreal horror game, focusing more on gameplay variety rather than a constantly unfolding story. The narrative will have more of a subliminal message than direct storytelling.
The main project (the one Ladder It Up was created to help fund), tentatively titled "Classic Shooter," is an FPS PvP game that offers interactive environments, clear and intuitive gameplay, and leans heavily into old-school vibes, similar to games like CS 1.6. Don't worry, I’m not aiming for it to be another competitive shooter, as my focus is more on fun rather than competition. That said, I aim to make the design as fair as possible, and if players want to organize tournaments, I’ll be happy to support that.
“Where can I see the progress or support the projects?”
You can follow the progress on Classic Shooter or any other game I'll be working on, on my Twitter account: https://x.com/V0X3L1 or on my Ko-Fi profile: https://ko-fi.com/voxel_ld, where you can also support the projects through donations that will directly contribute to further development (assets, freelance commissions, etc.).
Thank you to everyone who purchased Ladder It Up, your support means a lot to me, and I hope you'll also be satisfied with the titles I release or work on in the future.