Ahoy my Seekers! I am so happy to be once again the bringer of news once again! πππ
It's been quite some time since just a bunch of us brainstormed this idea we now call Soulgasm. Back then we didn't have the a clear concept of what and how it should be. Now, however, we feel we understand what is that we are creating and how it should be; and it's going to be epic!!!
With all the experience gathered throughout the past year and a half, there are quite a few things that the devteam and myself wanted to share with you; including the roadmap for the plans ahead!!
1. The Things We've Learned And The ROADMAPπππΊοΈ
With the hands constantly busy in the creation process, we learned our stronger and weaker links in our whole workflow. But now wit ha clearer understanding of it, we also can pay more attention and assign more resources to the areas that might need it. All this to say it took us a while, but we now believe we have a plan on what and when things shall be ready for you! π»π»π»
The initial plan was to finish the full game in 2024, a very optimistic estimation based more in gut feeling than real numbers.
The updated plan, however, goes as follows:
New sex minigame mechanics ready for our Seekers to be tested in September on Nova's cart scene, to see if this is a more enjoyable way of playing Soulgasm, making it the way sex scenes shall be played from now on in case of a positive feedback!
Batch3 with expansion for Nova and Moruga scenes in Q3 and some visual and technical improvements (we are also aiming for September-October) :3
New Romanceable NPC introduction in Q4 2024π
Extending Farah's and Eris' plotline in Q4 (Writing and partially sketches) (Cap'n here: 'I can't wait for Farah's Plot to be unveiled π±π±π±')
Extending other plotlines (Next chapters) in Q2 2025
Wrapping up the main story writing Q3 2025
((And if we manage to secure enough funds for it so me (the Captain) can afford getting full-time into Soulgasm)) Wrapping up the technicalities and full game ready in Q4 2025.
On top of that, if I could get fulltime into the production of Soulgasm, and once we get the whole foundation ready, we would like to add extra content from the 'let's do this later' development basket. A lot of this content includes new characters, storylines, side quests, new features and much, much more.
Hence, and sadly, the only limiting factor here is our budget, because our plans for Soulgasm were and are actually enormous, but we have to adapt to this reality, in which we need to optimize as much as possible to make it through.
2. A Drastic Change In Scope And Planning π§οΈπ₯βοΈ
The reasons for this extension in the time of production vary, and they all contributed in making the creation of Soulgasm a way slower and more painful process that it needed to be:
They say you gotta start with a small first project to learn the new discipline you are getting in (videogames) and though we certainly felt we narrowed down the scope, we still had a way to big one.
Initially and due to my request (yer Captain's) I wanted to have everyone in the team having an equally strong voice when it came to ideas and responsibility. This hindered the whole process and made it way slower and to aim into directions that were breaking the vision I had for the game. Many egos were hurt and I failed as the leader of the Soulgasm team, and this is what has been happening in the past couple months: I've been doing my best to put that vision back in track.
We actually started with initial plan for more characters (Around 12) and this plan is still alive and well! However, now we understand that in our current situation it is simply not possible, hence we will first wrap up the whole story and foundation of the game for the existing ones (five of them plus an unannounced one) and then add the other characters on top of it when the foundation of the game is ready, working on the missing bits we believe are necessary for the final vision of Soulgasm.
We learned that good and original writing takes A LOT of time and there is technically no way to make the game faster unless we expand the team. This is why, even though budget doesn't allow, we are getting a new writer! Because our 2D artists are way too fast! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
We were hoping to have me (CptPopcorn) working full time on the project, but that unfortunately isn't a possibility due to Soulgasm budget not being enough even for the team being funded, hence some things will take longer and not all work lanes will be flowing at the same speed rate unless we can grow our audience over here on Patreon.
CptPopcorn budget has been financing the whole production of the game, and still does it. And please don't get me wrong: I love assigning resources from CptPopcorn to Soulgasm, but I want us to break even over here, so I can solely focus on making this game happen. Quicker, better, stronger, makes us. πΆ
Our budget became so tight that we had to let go of some members of the team to even make it through, while others shall be part-time instead; We've kept all our artists so the production doesn't get affected, but this had a cost in the marketing and announcement frequency (as you might have noticed). π
We are going to continue and finish Soulgasm regardless any issues happening on our way, even if you, our dear patrons, decide to part ways with us and abandon this adventure. Though it's nowhere near being profitable, this is just something we, as a team love and want to give to you. We have committed to make it happen, and so we will. You deserve the best!!! π₯°π₯°π₯°
3. The Nice Things to Come βοΈπΉπ
Many of these were mentioned in the roadmap above, however, we didn't get too deep into some of them, hence:
Thanks to the polls and surveys previously brought, we came to the realization that sex minigames needed a whole re-design. And redesign we did! With a more CptPopcorn-ish approach to it: Expect something to get tested very soon! π₯΅
More updates are coming, because even though we have been a bit more silent in the last couple weeks and months, we are progressing rather quickly! Hence expect more art and development updates ahead! β¨
While most of the game is coded and our writer is busy working on the plotlines and story, our programmer has some spare time: we've brainstormed a few ideas together and we are planning a new kind of experience we work on the side. More of a customizable kinky experience, of sorts, without story--just straight to the fun π₯πβ€οΈβπ₯
You might have also noticed that Polly isn't as available as she used to, this is because she won't be available for a long while. To cover for her very needed input in the team we are planning to initiate a cooperation with a publisher (who will remain undisclosed for now), to help us with our Social Media, Game Distributors and other bits that we won't manage without Polly's input. We've received many offers from many distributors, and we believe the one we've chosen are the most professional and reasonable ones. We shall keep you updated! πΈ
A wholalot of amazing art! π±--As it turns out, our artists are learning so quickly to follow the ways of this Cap'n truly yours, and incredible art is being pulled left and right!! I honestly can't wait to show you how it is advancing, but we are soon to unveil a new lady--Ahem--THAT SHALL JOIN OUR HOUSE!! It is my hope that we can design her together, my Seekers, through Polls, comments and your input through-and-through!
4. Closing Thoughts π
The whole team owes you greatly, my lovely Seekers, for making this happen. For believing in the project enough to stay with us for this long! I owe you, an amazing game in fact! And as such, we shall deliver it..
Sometimes a lot of doubt and regret comes to mind, but in the end, it always becomes clear: We are creating a beautiful universe and stories for you to enjoy. To get lost among the corridors of our house with the ladies that shall choose you and hold your hand in this adventure.
Thank you, my incredible Seekers and Sailors. You are the best π₯°π₯°π₯°
Yer Capn.
YAARG!
