Resonate ~call out my angel~

Happy birthdayyy!!! Excuse my half assed excuse for a sketch, for some reason I couldn't get the composition right, but I wanted to celebrate!

So thank y'all for having played the game, enjoyed it and given feedback.

I'm still slowly working on the definite, steam version of Resonate.
So I'd like to talk a bit about what's going to change.

First thing, as you probably know: I've wiped out the entire database. I still haven't rebuilt it because I want to redo several maps and the game flow before I think about doing the database. But I didn't like the balance, nor how the battles were playing out, therefore I did away with the database in favour of an all new balancing!

I've also added Luna Engine to the project and redesigned all the menus. I am still having trouble with the Equip scene as it doesn't seem to want to behave properly, but other than that the menus are all pretty much done. Oh, I'm also not happy with the battle damage display, but I'll figure it out.

The next main thing that's happening is that not only each world is being expanded slightly (especially the latter two), I'll be able to do as planned and make the game NON-LINEAR! I'm still thinking whether I'll do away with levels, minimize the effect of level progression, add an enemy scaling system, or whatever I'll do to make the game work on that sense, but any of the three main dungeons will now be able to be beat in any order and will be longer. Monsters also will have different movement patterns, and I'm considering the possibility of allowing you to clear a dungeon of monsters after a certain number of battles (save for a couple' on specific screens if you want to grind). I've wanted to add puzzles in the original version of the game, but since doing anything with events is a bit hard due to Quasi's movement script I couldn't implement your typical block pushing puzzles nor anything that needed collisions. Now I'm considering a picture-based puzzle.

Another thing will now be the mini-worlds, new mini-stones close to the three main stones in Triple Gate which offer small diversions to the story, as well as interesting new sights. They consist of a handful of maps at most but they're meant to break down the game flow a little.

And to end the dungeon changes, there shall be two new dungeons: A true final dungeon once you beat the body of the quest, and a new game+ exclusive dungeon where you put your mastery of the game's mechanics to test. For I to be able to pull off a fun New Game+ dungeon and this game overall, i'll have to really work hard on making concise mechanics and a good databasing work.

Some areas are going to be redrawn as well, as well as new illustrated cutscenes (they were meant to be much more plentiful to begin with but TIME so I wound up making only two.) and that's about it.

Now what I was thinking is about the possibility of making this a commercial game. I know I've said I'd be releasing this on steam for free, and trust me, I will, but I still need to eat and shower and pay the bills which I have been able to do only barely and by not dedicating time to my artistic projects at all. I want to be able to dedicate time these projects, live just-barely-its-ok but more importantly be able to invest some money in studying art -- there's this super amazing art school in the capital of my state, Quanta, and I absolutely feel like I MUST study there when possible as I feel this will allow my art to really develop.

So for these reasons I've been considering making a paid version of Resonate (and hoping people like it) so I can further invest on my art and you know live. Perhaps I could make the extra content (mini-worlds with a monster arena type thing, the new game + dungeon, etc.) available only in the commercial version, while having the free version be short in gameplay time yet allowing you to fully experience the story. I don't know yet.

Oh, just as a reminder, if you wanna see more of my games happen (or wanna see me releasing more free resources) please consider supporting me on Patreon! It's a tremendous help!

So your opinions on this matter are welcome! Thank you for reading this blog post and accompanying Resonate and my art through this year! <3

Have a nice day y'all!