Hey everyone,
This is our first devlog! We're going to share some updates on development and give a preview of what we have planned in the future!
Thank You for the Support!
First off, thank you to everyone who's supported us on our social medias and Steam! We counted 300+ wishlists on Steam after about just 4 days! For an unannounced launch, that's excellent, we're really appreciative of the support!
We've also taken note of some feedback that we've received, and are working to improve certain parts of the game. Some art assets like maps did not meet the standards set by the rest of the game's art direction, so we've taken the time to touch up and even completely redraw some visuals that needed attention.
Originally, a lot of maps were crafted with a more geometric style to communicate the level design clearly. However, as the game evolved, maps begun to have a looser, sketchy look to them. The story will take the characters on a large variety of locations, so each map is hand-drawn as opposed to using premade tiles. Clarity is still a priority, but maps are looking more in tune with the game's aesthetics!
The Game Plan
Like has been stated before, we're on track for a demo release on October 14th, 2024. However, we're also planning another announcement to be made by the end of this current month September, which will be related to the demo's release.
For those wondering what the demo will contain, it's going to have about 30-60 minutes of gameplay and story, across the game's first two chapters. This will be meant to give a brief slice of the game's experience, without going in too deep yet.
However, work is being put towards an optional challenge map to be played after the story. This is for players who want to sink their teeth into Stratagem Lost's gameplay loop. You'll also be able to play as some characters who don't show up in the demo's story!
We're also not doing much hand-holding for this map — you'll simply be dropped into the map and left to fend for yourself! This is a challenge, focused on survival. Being able to get through the whole encounter without losing any units is an impressive feat, so we think advanced players will appreciate having a test of skill.
That's about all we can talk about now, but know that we're hard at work on the demo. In the meantime, we want to connect with you! If you haven't already, you can join our Discord or follow us on social media where we'll post updates and answer any questions that you have.
Thank you for your time,
-Smithy, Hybrid Fiction Games