Christmas Update

Hey everyone, I wanted to share where I’ve been the last few days and what the upcoming schedule looks like. Since the 24th, there’s been no game dev, and I’m not expecting to dive back in until around the 30th. Life has been a whirlwind lately, and I recently had an amazing, much-needed break with my wife, following the emotional challenges of not seeing my kids before Christmas.

Here’s a quick recap of what’s been going on:

My wife and I spent a night at a hotel, reconnecting after some tough weeks. We shared a peaceful, intimate night together, from soaking in a bath with wine to stargazing and holding hands at breakfast. It was a huge step toward rebuilding our bond, and it’s left me feeling overwhelmed with love and emotion.

Now, as for game dev, I've been working on "Leap for Speed" — a small, fun prototype game inspired by a game I saw on Roblox when setting up my brother’s gaming tablet. Leap for Speed is a lighthearted project that I’m working on because I’ve realized that focusing on something fun and quick could be a good mental break after all the ups and downs. Rotten Dawn has been a game close to my heart, and it’s something I feel really passionate about, but I also recognize that working on it right now might bring me down emotionally. That’s why I decided to switch gears and focus on Leap for Speed. It’s a game I estimate will take a few long hours or days to get working, and it’s just a fun prototype for me to enjoy making.

I’ve found that working on something simple and enjoyable might be a great way to keep my spirits up and focus on the joy of creating. It’s not about the scale or scope, but more about the process and the small wins that can make me feel refreshed. Making this small game feels like the right step for me mentally right now.

Here’s what the next few days look like for both life and game dev:

• 27th: Taking a mental break today after the emotional high of reconnecting with my wife. Not feeling like diving into game dev just yet.
• 28th & 29th: Family time from noon until 7:30 pm, might squeeze in some work on Leap for Speed afterward.
• 30th: A full free day—planning to focus on Leap for Speed and make as much progress as I can.
• 31st: New Year’s Eve with family, so the schedule will be a bit uncertain.
• 1st to 5th: Still focused on Leap for Speed during this time, working on fun and quick tasks until the bigger work starts again.
• 6th: Starting full-time focus on Rotten Dawn again with all the important meetings and challenges that come with Children’s Social Care (CSC)—which is currently preventing me from going home—so Leap for Speed will take a backseat after that.

Thanks for your understanding and support—life's been a mix of highs and lows, but I’ll be back to working on games soon. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!