Posted March 01, 2025 by FAUSTECH
Heya! Your favorite pretty color puppy, here. Long time no devlog.
I've finally released a new game under the FAUSTECH name, and we're getting a whole influx of folks seeing this game, and I figured it's finally time I make a more official post about this game. You might be here since you just played Desktop Hypnotist. If not, check it out! It's on this same itchio page!
...Fine, I'll give you a link. Here: https://faustech.itch.io/desktop-hypnotist
The last time I made a post, I vaguely promised more was to come soon. This was about four years ago. Oops!
The feeling of releasing something I created to the public, and all the unique positive feedback associated with that, was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever experienced. I have all of you to thank for that. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me realize who I want to be, and how I want to use my art in my life.
I decided I wanted to learn to be better at making games. Unfortunately, learning to do things takes time! I went back to college to get stronger game development skills. I learned a lot, and unsurprisingly, it took a lot of time from my life.
All beside this, I did want to make something new for FAUSTECH. I didn't want HYPNOSCREEN to become another in the dozen of "really cool projects that just got abandoned."
Over time, I became a better designer, programmer, and artist, and realized just how much of this game I wanted to remake. At some points I wanted to do it in a different engine, or remake the art, or use one of the three plus new characters that friends came up with...
I even was 3/4 of the way through developing the often-asked-for bit of "being able to mod in your own character." Most of the scaffolding of this is already in the game!! ...Most of it.
Ultimately, I got caught up in all the things of the game I wasn't happy with, and ended up making no real progress on it whatsoever.
I also started a half dozen other projects, which all were either abandoned or left unfinished for countless reasons, both personal and professional. If you're a part of my playtesting discord, you might be aware of some of these-and also the reasons why I haven't yet published them publicly.
By the time I published HYPNOSCREEN 1.4, it was kind of a pretty complete game. Multiple characters, quests, tons of customization, a lot of progression... I called it a "demo" because I had visions of it being even more, but for a one-person-plus-some-friends-help development team, it was a pretty substantial product.
That just made it increasingly hard to make something that felt "complete" enough for all of you.
I'm deeply passionate about making indie games. And, specifically, making weird hypno horny indie games that fill your screen and eyes with pretty colors. It's just really hard to make games, and especially hard to finish them.
Which is why I went and did the Strawberry Jam! It was a ton of fun. I put a small team together, we went through some really professional game making processes, and had a ton of fun through it all. This has already given me a spark I haven't felt in years.
The question remains, of course: What's Next? When's the next HYPNOSCREEN update?
The answer is, I dunno! I'm trying to stick to working with my team for now, and I want to stay malleable with what we do next.
I still do plan on updating HYPNOSCREEN! I can't reasonably say when, or to what end, but it will happen one day. If you're reading this, I'm sure you'll be the first to know when it does.
I'm also still finishing my schooling, and have been working on a good half dozen professional projects. The industry sucks, and while I'd LOVE to make hypno games full-time, I also want to be able to pay for rent and groceries. I also really like keeping these games totally free for yall, and hope to keep it that way. But that means I have to spend less time on these games, as the things that do pay the bills.
If you've read this far, you might care enough to drop me a coffee ( https://ko-fi.com/faustech ). There's no pressure, I'll keep making games either way. It just does help fuel me in a very direct way, and encourages me to focus more on these projects.
Love you all. Stay sleepy!