Poll Results: To Alpha or Not to Alpha?
The results for the Closed Alpha polls are in! One of the first things that stood out was that over 40% of you voted to postpone the Alpha testing. I suspect this is largely due to concerns about spoilers - nobody wants the full experience ruined by seeing unfinished or sensitive plot points too early.
I completely agree with that sentiment. However, I know many of you are still eager to see the current state of development regardless of playability. To balance these two needs, I’ve created a special "Demo" version.
This build allows you to explore the game’s progress while keeping the story intact for the full release. I’ve disabled all but the first CG scene (to give you a taste of the visual presentation) and cut several major storylines. Now, you can test the mechanics and systems without the risk of spoilers.
Technical Note: Web & Audio
The web version is currently in development. While testing the offline build, I ran into an issue where .mp3 files failed to trigger audio; I’ve since discovered that converting these to .ogg format resolves the problem. This won't be an issue for the online version, which I plan to host on itch.io within the next 1 - 2 months.
New Feature: Delivery Quests
I’ve implemented a new "Active Quest" system featuring time-sensitive deliveries. You’ll need to navigate through enemy territory quickly to secure the best rewards; the longer you take, the lower your prize becomes. While I’ve also added quests featuring new CG scenes, please note these have been removed from the current Demo build to keep the surprises fresh for later!
Sound & Ambience
Background music (BGM) has been integrated into almost every scene, and I’ve completely overhauled the SFX. I spent a significant amount of time refining the node logic to ensure smooth transitions between tracks. Since the Alpha is now live for supporters, you can experience the new atmosphere firsthand!
Updated Roadmap
Because the poll results were nearly split down the middle, I’ve adjusted my strategy. Instead of a long, drawn-out Closed Alpha, I’m going to fast-track the process toward the Open Alpha. The core mechanics are solid, so I’m focusing on four final pillars to get the game into a publishable state:
The Prostitution Minigame: Expanding the mechanical depth of work.
Expanded Careers: More storylines and diverse jobs to earn income.
Patreon-Exclusive Content: Dedicated rewards for my supporters.
Enhanced Corruption Visuals: Empowering the existing "Player Corruption" system with better visual feedback.
I anticipate these updates will take about a month. My main bottleneck is currently the CG production, so I am unifying the art style to be more realistic while streamlining the coloring process. This allows me to maintain high quality without the development time becoming unmanageable.
Accessing the Closed Alpha
The game is now ready for Closed Alpha! Keep in mind this is a "vertical slice" - a sample of the base structure - rather than the full narrative experience. The combat and core systems are fully functional, though specific locations may feel a bit light on content for now.
A quick reminder: The current build requires a login, so the web version is still being polished. The eventual Open Alpha will not require a login for base gameplay; only explicit Patreon-exclusive content will be restricted.
Please do not re-upload this build elsewhere. It is specifically configured for my Patreons, and a much more polished, updated beta version will be coming to itch.io in two months or less.
Community Feedback & Bug Reports
Your feedback is vital. If you encounter any game-breaking bugs or login issues, please let me know immediately. I’ve play-tested this build for hours, but with months of code being shifted around for this demo, a few errors may have slipped through the cracks.
[Submit your suggestions via the Google Form here!]
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