Okay, first of all, let's address the fish in the room: Yes, we delayed the release.
And the fact that some of you noticed is honestly one of the greatest compliments we could receive. We are developing this game every day, and sometimes it really feels like we are the only people actually playing it. The fact that some of you played our demo, joined our playtest, and are now waiting for the full release is an incredible honor.
And, in a way, that's also exactly why we delayed it.
The game has grown a lot over the past few months and so has the attention around it. Our team has grown from 2 to 5 people, and we keep noticing little bits here and there that we know we can improve. We don't want to disappoint any of you, and we really want to make sure we release a wonderful game that you can enjoy for more than just a few hours.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), we don't have the financial runway of a AAA studio, so rest assured: the game IS coming!
For those of you who aren't participating in the playtest, I want to share a little bit about what we've been working on, which new features have already made it into the game, and what's still to come.
New fish! 🐟
First of all: new fish! New species and breeds have been implemented, and we've also added new animations.
Some fish are completely new to the game, like our discus, while others have received a full rework, like our guppies. Our bettas also got a makeover and speaking of bettas, that brings us perfectly to one of our bigger new features.
Fish are no longer compatible with every species!
This means you can't just place any fish together in the same tank anymore. Bettas, for example, are territorial and will chase fish they don't like. Tiger barbs, angelfish, and other species now have their own compatibility rules too.
So yes, you'll have to think a little more carefully about who gets to be roommates.
Your shop received some upgrades!
World Events are now active and can influence fish prices, customer behavior, and your shop as a whole. A new fish movie might suddenly cause a run on your shop, while reports of poor fish health might make people stay away.
Your shop also has its own reputation now, meaning customers will leave reviews after their visits. Treat them well, give them good advice, and make sure they leave happy!
Customers got a lot smarter
Customers are much more complex now. They'll come into your shop, ask questions about fish, and haggle with you over prices.
But customers aren't the only ones who got smarter. The Trade Hub is a little more dangerous now too, with an increased chance of sellers trying to scam you. So you better check twice who you're buying from and whether that suspiciously good offer really makes sense.
Player Skill Tree
You can now choose how you want to develop your character and your shop. Become a trader, breeder, collector, or simply focus on giving your fish the best possible care. You can develop your skills in whichever direction fits the way you want to play.
Lots of animations & little updates
Overall, we've been working on making the game feel much more alive and cozy. There are lots of smaller quality-of-life improvements, new animations, visual changes, and little details that we can't wait for you to discover.
We're also still heavily working on the game's audio to make sure the entire experience, from what you see to what you hear, feels as cozy as we want it to.
Still WIP! 🛠️
And there's still more we're working on before release! Right now, our main focus is a full shop rework, which also includes our last major feature: decorating your own shop!
You'll be able to make the space your own, add decorations, and really watch your little aquarium shop come to life.
Our artists have been working incredibly hard to turn the shop into a cozy, lively space, and we can't wait to show you what they've been creating.
Again, thank you!
ruly, thank you for staying up to date with us and waiting for the release. It genuinely means the world to us. 💙
And if you'd like to be part of the final stretch, we'd love to have you! Join our playtest, try out our weekly updates, share your thoughts, and help us shape the game before release. Just hop into our Discord and ask for a key! :)