Posted July 22, 2023 by MonsterBox
HELLO EVERYONE!
I have noticed that itch does not really inform people about updates unless there is a devlog made.
Originally, I did not want to use the devlogs unless there are big updates. Regardless, there’s a lot to talk about and a lot you guys would want to know!
Firstly, we should talk about Maddie's integration.
We performed a test involving our Subscribestar supporters and Discord members to see if the current Maddie integration was both understandable and functional. There are going to be massive changes to her dynamic, but for now her gameplay is as follows.
At random intervals, Maddie blocks a camera and keeps you from fixing whatever issue is in that camera's respective room.
On your desk, you will find a microwave. Closing said microwave and activating it will ding its timer, and Maddie will eventually leave her spot and migrate elsewhere. As of right now, Maddie will not be fooled twice per night so use it wisely.
Now, it is time we talk about the game and its ongoing progress.
Many of you have wondered what caused the migration to Unreal Engine 5.
From the start of the project up to September of last year, we had been collaborating with the programmer behind the original Unreal Engine 4 game jam version of In Heat.
Over time, said programmer displayed uncooperative behaviors such as refusing to implement game elements he was instructed to, and plain adding whatever he wanted to the game, unrequested.
Along with reckless handling of the game's assets, displaying inappropriate imagery to the community and portraying the characters in not so favorable scenarios, his departure was bound to happen.
It has been half a year since I hired a programmer who migrated the project to Unreal Engine 5 and started the code from the ground up. Unfortunately, things have been quite a bit slower than expected. Soon after, I hired an additional programmer who was going to be in a leadership position.
But as this new team member took increasingly more time away from the project due to other responsibilities, progress stalled as the framework they set up depended on their involvement. I would like to apologize to you all for the frequent setbacks, things shouldn’t have taken this long. Who would have thought it was that difficult to find an Unreal programmer with an open schedule.
In Heat, throughout its development process, has had a very decent asset creation team. To the point where I have a buildup of marketing images and videos. But with inadequate substance to each update, I held back on releasing promotional material.
I had plans for things to be much further than they are right now, and deadlines were set up to be reachable, but the programming team ran into issues which eventually delayed the release. As such, we have adjusted the entirety of the team structure. We have completely switched programmers, I really wish I could show the massive progress we have made. But it is not exactly ready. I feel like 0.8 was a major letdown, and I do not want that experience for you folks again.
For the last month, we have been working overtime to get this game into a much better state. Daily meetings and a focus on productivity have increased progress exponentially, and drastic improvements to the game are coming. I want to again thank you all for your patience, we’re working hard to bring you the best game we can make.