Hello, everybody! I hope you're all having a fantastic New Year so far! It's time to update you on the latest developments and our plans for the future. I also want to be honest about what's been going on. That leads me to ...
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been thinking a lot. I've realised that I keep falling into the same trap!
Originally, I was transforming Chang3D into Project Metamorph, a unique horror game of its own, but then I decided that I wanted to add voice acting and combat to Chang3D first. I told myself that I was going to test Metamorph's mechanics on this Chang3D update, but you can see how that turned out. The scope extended far beyond what I originally intended, which is not what I want at all. But somehow it happens because of how I feel about my work and how my brain behaves!
And the trap?: I want to keep learning and improving, and I want to do the best I can. It's not enough to just finish something; it needs to be done properly. That's exactly what happened this time—I wanted to improve so many things, including the map remake. But doing things right takes time and effort.
The problem is that this mindset causes me trouble with Chang3D. I know I'll never be able to sell it; I'm constrained to Changed's universe and rules—otherwise it stops being a fan-game, right? That weighs on me so much. I just can't work so laboriously with a clean conscience when I know it has no commercial future; and fan-game restrictions: I have many ideas I want to realise.
So I'm going back to Metamorph's development once again—of course using all the work I've done on Chang3D so far!
However, to better fit our current workload and team size, we're redesigning some parts and renaming the project to Metamorph: Aftermath! Just to make it clear: this will be the sequel to Project Metamorph (the large-scale project I plan for the future).
And this is the true evolution of Chang3D. As I've said, I love continually improving my work, and the development cycle will stay very similar, so you don't have to worry that everything will feel too different!
Even though it'll be quite similar to what I've been doing with Chang3D, this way I won't be weighed down or have a conscience that's negatively affected—and that's really, really important to me.
Thank you for understanding, and thank you for supporting my work!
Paid-Patrons exclusive information
Additional note: Another reason I had went back to developing Chang3D at that time was because I, mistakenly, tried to work on Project Metamorph (which is designed as a large-scale project), and it, of course, was too big for me to work alone, the scope was too big, so I got overwhelmed. The right approach is, as I am making now, doing a manageable-scope project, and putting more time and effort in Pre-Planning and design. Well... You live and learn!
Now, let's say a little more about Metamorph: Aftermath. What is it really?
We're still fleshing out the narrative and designing various elements, but essentially: it's the sequel to Project Metamorph and is based on the aftermath of a particular ending in that future game.
You play as C13, a test subject who suddenly and mysteriously awakens in Site-01, a black-site research facility. Your primary objective is to escape this facility.
( As you can see, the setting is similar to Chang3D ;P )
What unique design details are we currently considering? Well, several things (new information only, not including old information such as the Weapons System):
Puro's counterpart will be a White-coloured goo monster ..... An idea I've had for a long time!
A new, intriguing and terrifying story, similar to Changed and Chang3D, but very unique! Continuing the story from Project Metamorph (in the future, when making that game, you will see how the story connects >.<)
Physics-based Prop Interaction, a system inspired by Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
A game approximately as long as Chang3D —if not longer.
Start from the bottom part of the facility and work your way all the way to the top in order to escape.
The main antagonist in the narrative will be very different from Dr. K., and more mysterious.
And more!
We're putting a lot more effort in pre-planning and design this time around, so development might take a bit more time to entirely commence at full speed, but will move quicker then.
And this game I will definitely put on Steam in the future! Don't worry—when that moment comes, every person who has contributed more than USD$10 to Chang3D will get a free copy of the game ;)
And also... talking about developments, I've just recently finished the main framework of the Physics-based Prop Interaction system. I'll share that here on Patreon soon!
Lastly, I express my deepest thanks to everyone for their support! I will be coming back soon. More news, and upcoming possible builds on a future post OwO