Tickle Magnet #11 Roadmap Update (Patreon)

Synopsis

Unfortunately, I am announcing a delay of one month for alpha testing and possibly beta testing and launch.  While I aimed for alpha testing starting in October, it's now Halloween and I've nothing to offer quite yet.  I ran into a snag as the Steam new business registration is more involved than I anticipated, so I'm going through an approval process before I can use the platform to distribute games.

There is a chance we will hit a December beta testing phase milestone, but it just depends on how alpha testing goes.  So right now I'm planning on opening beta in December 2023 or January 2024, launching either February or March 2024.

Based on a discussion in our Discord, I am using this time to expand the artwork for the characters, to give more varied expressions and emotions during game play.  So I think that's a positive, as I don't want the gaming experience to get stale.

Also, I played through the optional combat in this second playthrough.  The combat definitely isn't great, but it's also not as terrible as I was thinking.  It's functional, it will just need a bit of love and retooling during alpha phase.

January

Define scope of the game [COMPLETED]

Procure art assets [COMPLETED]

Commission first set of inner circle characters [COMPLETED]

Test UI [COMPLETED]

February

Main storyline drafted [COMPLETED]

March

Inner circle character story arcs drafted [COMPLETED]

April

Secondary characters interactions drafted [COMPLETED]

Coding of the main storyline [COMPLETED]

Battle system created [COMPLETED]

Character sprites of characters in game [COMPLETED]

Finalize UI  [COMPLETED]

May

Voice acting recorded for main storyline [COMPLETED]

Voice acting for inner circle story arcs [COMPLETED]

June

Optional content coded into game [COMPLETED]

Artwork (busts) finalized [COMPLETED]

Voice acting touch-ups [COMPLETED]

July

First playthrough on test server [COMPLETED]

August

Second playthrough on test server [STARTED, IN PROGRESS]

September

Alpha version launch [PUSHED TO NOVEMBER]

Third playthrough on test server [NOT STARTED, PUSHED TO NOVEMBER]

October

No milestones

November

Beta version launch [PUSHED TO DECEMBER]

Re-tool the combat system

Revisit audio files and adjust volume/clarity

Add more side missions in the game

December

No milestones

January

No milestones

February

Game launch