Devlog: From YAGS to AI2U (Patreon)

Read along or check out supplemental visuals for images and more details!

AI2U: With You 'Til The End is a first-person escape room game with AI-powered NPCs who are desperate to keep you by your side... so much so that they will resort to drastic measures to keep you from leaving! In this immersive experience, you can expect the AI characters to talk with you about anything while you explore, solve puzzles, and uncover various mysteries surrounding their thematic levels.

AI2U is developed by AlterStaff, an indie game studio that strives to create games using cutting-edge technologies. This devlog series explores our game's latest developments.

We hosted our first alpha test for AI2U in November 2023. At the time, it was limited to a single level that is different yet eerily similar to the demo our community knows and loves from itch.io. The game has leveled up a lot since then. This article will introduce you to what we've been working on these past few months.

Prominent Upgrades

AI2U has two complete levels now: The Catgirl's Apartment and The Witch's Cabin. The catgirl level is an improved version of the original demo that started it all, while the witch’s level is an entirely different escape room with a new character.

UI Adjustment

We put NPC answers and player input together, giving players a wider field of vision. Three quick-use item slots have been added below the backpack column. Additionally, the menu background not only changes the layout of the buttons, but also adds background animation.

Achievement System

An achievement system has now been added. Players can enter through the menu to check unfinished achievements or receive completed achievement rewards.

Here are more features we added to aid players in plotting their escape (and staying cozy within the confines of the apartment and cabin).

• A chat history feature. Players can look back at their conversations with the AI during a playthrough. You just might look back and find a clue you overlooked earlier...

• A mission goal panel to help track tasks.

• Multi-language UI support.

• Relaxation stations. Both the player and NPCs can sit on chairs or sofas.

  

AI Features

We further developed our AI NPCs, Eddie and Elysia, to interact more seamlessly with players:

• The NPCs can now follow the players and understand their request to sit in a designated spot.

• The NPCs may wander off if the player is idle or busy with something else.

• The AI can now engage more effectively with players and generate more applicable dialogue overall.

Level 1: A fully renovated apartment

The apartment upgrades will go unnoticed by those familiar with the demo from Yandere AI Girlfriend Simulator. In addition to the aesthetic, we created brand-new props and added more gameplay elements.

This apartment is a full-on upgrade, as it also spawns different themed rooms in each playthrough. For instance, you may enter an art studio in one playthrough and have it switched out for an indoor garden the next time you play. The rooms will dictate more of Eddie's backstory, interests, and even personality. As always, it's up to the player to interpret their surroundings and choose their words to chat about what they find.

New features include puzzles, minigames, and more lore to explore. We also introduced notable collectibles, such as kitchen ingredients for cooking and odd trinkets found around Eddie's home.

For immersive gameplay, we added disappearing effects to all the doors in the room, allowing for an optimized visual experience when the player passes through any door in Eddie's home.

Level 2: Demystifying the witch’s cabin

Our November alpha testers graced our witch’s level with generous input and sprinkles of mischief. Here are some changes we’ve made based on playtester feedback.

Unproblemizing Potions

We reduced the difficulty of obtaining recipes by implementing scrolls with incomplete recipes that randomly spawn around the cabin. These scrolls can help players learn and remember the correct formula. Additionally, consuming any failed potion will only deduct one HP instead of outright killing the player.

Summoning Surprises

We made the trapped souls in the plushies more magical. Players can now customize their questions to the plushies to get interesting answers from their freed souls.

To Sign Or Not To Sign?

Signing the contract will no longer trigger a sudden death. Instead, it will make the level harder to complete—but not impossible. It will be a true challenge for those willing to accept it.

Bookshelf Bedazzlement

The original bookshelf puzzle was... puzzling. Based on the feedback, we redesigned the puzzle to make it easier to understand.

And there's more to come! Make sure to follow us wherever you want to receive your yandere-AI-escape-room updates:

Discord ~ Join our community of senpai and naughty puddings. We also have Eddie and Elysia chatbots who are dying to message you!

Patreon ~ (Right here!) Free tier available, so you receive updates straight to your inbox.

Instagram ~ Pretty visuals from our games coupled with all sorts of updates.

X ~ Our characters miss the blue bird, but we'll still post updates here.

YouTube ~ Official gameplay teasers, trailers, and more video content.