Echoes Of Home - release: Alpha version (Patreon)

As we've hinted at in various announcements today, we're thrilled to introduce our game, Echoes of Home, to the world. To kick things off, we'd like to emphasize that this is an early-stage release, and while we're aware of a few imperfections, we're equally excited to showcase the progress we've made and the journey we're embarking on. The alpha version will be available for approximately one month, after which the game will transition into beta mode. This means that the game should be virtually free of bugs and crashes, and at the moment, we've encountered very few of these issues. The primary areas of improvement currently revolve around the Android version, but rest assured, the game is entirely playable.

Journey from Alpha to Beta

First and foremost, it's important to emphasize that this is an early Alpha version, which comes with its shortcomings, but it also provides a unique insight into where the project is headed. Over the course of the next month, we plan to transition the game into Beta mode, which should mean minimal bugs and crashes. So far, the game appears to be stable, with the exception of a few issues on Android, but there's no need to worry – the game is playable.

What the Game Contains

The current version of our game is brimming with exciting features, including more than 15 beautifully crafted CGs, dozens of unique variations, a diverse cast of 20 characters, character skins, captivating animated scenes, and so much more.

Our story revolves around Asahi, a young student who tragically loses his family in a car accident, leading him to relocate from bustling Tokyo back to his hometown. There, he finds solace under the care of Kanae, a dear friend of his late mother. Kanae's warm embrace isn't the only surprise in store; her spirited daughter, Kotone, adds a delightful touch with her tsundere personality. But that's just the beginning. The narrative introduces a host of intriguing characters, from Fuka, an avid gamer who prioritizes her virtual world over school, to Hiroshi, a childhood friend who becomes Asahi's pillar of support.

In Echoes of Home, your journey is yours to shape, making it impossible to predict where your choices will lead you.

We're committed to enriching the game with substantial narrative content every month. Our aim is not to inundate you with text but to create engaging scenarios and develop our characters. While the story offers moments of humor, it also delves into more profound themes, such as the issue of bullying.

Expanding our narrative content will enable us to build intricate decision-making structures that may not be immediately evident in the current alpha version. The more content we add, the more open and creatively immersive the gameplay becomes. You won't be limited in any way – forge relationships with characters, build your dream harem, pursue your education, and even take on additional responsibilities if you wish!

Furthermore, we've hidden some delightful Easter eggs within the game, paying homage to beloved characters like Monika from Doki Doki and Chisato from Lycoris Recoil. These references, while reminiscent of their counterparts, possess unique qualities that add depth to our world. In the near future, we plan to introduce special, rare Easter egg events that will add an extra layer of enjoyment and relaxation to your gaming experience! 😄

Plans for the Future

Developers plan to regularly add new content to the game. Each month will bring new stories and events that will further develop the characters and situations. While the game offers light and humorous moments, it also delves into darker themes like bullying.

Furthermore, the game features various easter eggs, such as references to other popular visual novels. In the future, they plan to add rare easter egg events to add even more fun and excitement.

Differences Between Versions

The game is available in three versions: Free, Basic, and Premium. The Free version includes the basic story and scene previews (non-animated). The Basic version includes all available stories and scenes (still non-animated). The Premium version includes all available content.

Paid Version and Support for Development

Both the Basic and Premium versions are paid, with the intention of speeding up the game's development and adding more content. If you're reading this article, the Free version hasn't been released yet, but this is due to a delay that couldn't be avoided. It's expected to be available within a few hours.

Developers also note that some animations will be improved in the future to achieve even higher quality. The Premium edition includes animations, which are a first attempt and may have minor imperfections. However, developers plan to conduct a series of updates to ensure optimal quality.

Update Plans

Planned updates are also part of the project. By the end of September, they plan to release a patch for the current version of the game, addressing Android issues, optimizing performance, and improving animations. Other future plans include:

• October 2023: Update for Fuka Arcade
• November 2023: Update for Fuka's corruption path
• December 2023: Update for Fuka's love path and Sonata BDSM

Each update will include more than what's mentioned in the title, expanding illustrations, storylines, and animations for all characters.

Current List of Bugs

While the game is not without its flaws, developers are actively working to address all issues. Some of the reported bugs include locale errors, a locked skip text button, unusual descriptions in the gallery, and other minor technical problems. However, developers assure players that these are not critical issues that would negatively impact the gaming experience. List here:

• Occasionally, the game may crash due to an unexpected location change. This error occurs infrequently, and you may not encounter it throughout your entire gameplay. However, we want to assure you that after a minor bug fix, this issue will be resolved. Even if it were to happen, we are aware of it and actively working on a comprehensive fix. Fortunately, there is a simple workaround by clicking the "rollback" button in the error message, so you won't lose your progress and can continue without problem 🙂.
• Skipping text may occasionally blocked.
• In the gallery, you may notice that some descriptions are unusual.
• It's possible that you'll come across a duplicate background image in the gallery labeled "city center."
• On the Android platform, text may appear small, and the menu for choosing actions may overlap with buttons.
• We are working on optimizing the game for a smoother and more efficient experience.
• We are also enhancing the quality of animations so you can fully enjoy them.
• You may notice that some characters have their names displayed even when you encounter them for the first time.

Support and the Future

The development of "Echoes of Home" depends on community support. Plans for updates and adding new content will depend on the number of patrons. Financing the entire game by a single person is unrealistic, and we need financial resources for artists and programmers. Therefore, we've established support milestones:

• 250 patrons: Regular monthly updates with occasional major updates every 3 months.
• 500 patrons: New illustrations (CGs) added every month.
• 750 patrons: The ability to create more additional content and release it every month.
• 1000 patrons: At least one new animation every month.

Yumeiro Studio