Side D progress update

Greetings surveyors!

It’s been several months since my last update about Periphery Synthetic’s first free content expansion. Continue reading for an update on my recent progress and the timeline for release.

I started this year by taking a break from development to create Lacus Opportunitas for Games for Blind Gamers 4. Overall the jam was a resounding success for the community, which received its largest number of submissions yet. My submission performed beyond my expectations, informing my ever-growing to-do list for the Side D expansion. Yet it was even more exiting to play and leave feedback on its three-dozen submissions!

This led to an exciting invitation to chat with Tamara of Unsightly Opinions and members of the jam community. It was my pleasure to discuss the jam, its impact, and the future of blind gaming with old friends and fresh acquaintences. Here is the hour-long panel for you to form your own unsightly opinions:

In the meantime, my professional career has found an unexpected focus on accessibility with the 2024 final rule by the United States Department of Justice. This updated Title II of the ADA to require government websites to conform with WCAG 2.1 at Level AA. My role expanded with my inclusion on panels for procuring a consultant and hiring an intern to help us reach compliance. This has encouraged me to prepare to become IAAP CPACC and WAS certified in the upcoming months, which is in many ways a culmination of what I’ve learned through my projects as shiftBacktick. I’d like to further expand upon these experiences in a reflection after we cross the April 24, 2026 finish line.

Needless to say, I’ve been feeling exceedingly burnt out on accessibility for the past few months. However, I’m writing this to confirm that I’ve recently reengaged with Periphery Synthetic. Here is a taste of my progress over just the past week:

• The music for The Interstice is complete. It was completely silent where I last left it. Now it’s an interactive version of the title screen music.
• The Interstice considers the existing player experience. Previously it’d unlock almost right away for existing saves. Now it gradually reveals itself without needing to start a new game.
• The title screen has received a visual refresh. I’ve always found it strange that the only circles were found here, so now the planets are diamonds like everything else.
• Mouse input has greatly improved. The poor mouse controls caused some of the most critical feedback upon release. Acceleration was added for turning and looking.

Within my initial scope for the expansion, only the writing of 23 paragraphs of new perception text remains. However, my to-do list has expanded with a very important focus on improving the EP’s movement systems, including:

• Improving the overall feel of movement.
• Making collisions more lenient, and removing them where sensible.
• Expanding the wheels system with new upgrades and mechanics.
• Solving underwater pathfinding for players who can’t see the screen.

Despite this creeping scope, my hope is to release the expansion in August 2025 to coincide with its first anniversary. Perhaps it will launch with a sick subtitle like Wards of Andromeda? Given that its core features are complete, I would be happy to support it with these unfinished enhancements as smaller patches after release. However, it’s a delicate balance. The increased visibility granted by such a major update is a uniquely perfect opportunity—yet perhaps my only chance—to improve its first impressions with new players.

I’m excited to share more details with you soon. Thanks for reading!