Post by Michael Regard in Looking for testers comments

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Hey! I was reading your latest updates for The Cozy Alchemist, and I really like the contrast between upgrading a cozy little tower and then discovering seven increasingly absurd circles of Hell underneath it. The sarcastic cauldron is a great touch too, especially with the way the different schools have their own problems to deal with.

I'm curious, of the three schools, which one has been the most fun or challenging to design so far? The Green Hand's plants invading the workshop sounds like it could lead to some pretty funny situations.

Aeldred2 days ago

Hey! Thanks so much! :D

Honestly, I've really enjoyed designing all three schools, each for different reasons!

I love the Red Cauldron's whole heat management and explosion risk mechanic. There's something really fun about an alchemist pushing their luck a little too far… and having to deal with the consequences.

But I'd say the Last Sigh was definitely the most challenging to design. I didn't want to go with a traditional element like water or ice. I really wanted to explore the darker, more mysterious side of alchemy and give it its own identity.

That's actually how I came up with the idea of having its effects influence the customers themselves. The thought of your usual clientele suddenly being replaced by some rather questionable undead visitors made me laugh, and I think it opens up a lot of fun possibilities for future updates!

As for the Green Hand, the plant invasion mechanic just felt completely natural. Plants slowly taking over your workshop while your cauldron gets increasingly concerned? That's exactly the kind of absurd humor I want in this game :)

And I feel like I've only scratched the surface of what these three schools could become!

Thanks again for taking an interest in the project. It really means a lot!

Michael Regard2 days ago

Thank you for such a detailed answer, I really enjoyed reading it. The Last Sigh changing the customers themselves is a clever idea. Having your usual clientele replaced by questionable undead visitors is exactly the kind of surprise players love sharing, and heat management on the Red Cauldron sounds like pushing your luck in the best way.

Since you’ve put so much personality into this game, I’m curious how potential players have been finding your updates. Are people discovering The Cozy Alchemist mostly through itch, or are you also sharing it elsewhere, like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, X, or Bluesky?

I ask because a game like this is perfect for short clips. A plant invasion taking over the workshop, a cauldron getting increasingly concerned, or a cozy upgrade followed by a drop into Hell are all moments people want to share. Social media can greatly increase the number of potential players who see the game, because most people don’t browse itch for new projects. They find games through clips and posts, and the ones who follow early often become the ones who wishlist and spread the word.

If you haven’t started on that yet, I’d be glad to help. I’m a professional video editor and social media manager, and I work with indie devs who would rather spend their time building. I can share my YouTube channel and Upwork account if you’d like to see past work first. Would you be open to a business proposal around that?

itch.io

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