Now that I've had a chance to really digest the hectic release, reception, bugfixes and so on... Thank you all so much for the warm reception and even INTENSE enjoyment of Bat to the Heavens... I know some people have already started speedrunning and going absolutely wacky modo in finding the secrets!!! Wow... that already makes me happy... That already speaks volumes on how much you enjoy the game alone!! I can't thank you enough!
(The game is still on release sale until Dec 22nd! Tell all your friends!! Bat them)
I'm honestly still just surprised and happy that just making a game as difficult and different from a lot of other games worked as well as it did! I did very strongly believe in it, but working for months alone builds up so much doubt in your heart. Like... sleepless nights. So much stress. I know it definitely isn't to everyone's taste, but despite that... Thank you all for making my hard work worth it and enjoying the game so much!!
Soundtrack!
Speaking of stuff that I worked hard on, I released the soundtrack on friday following the release unfortunately, but its out HERE and NOW!! And on bandcamp ( if you want flacs or want to throw more support my way)! It is also on youtube for free! Shoutouts to ashwee for helping with a few of the tracks!
Spoiler warning to the music if you care!
mini retrospective on the launch
Its already been 10 days since the game came out, and while I do think I might have released during an exceptionally crowded time, the reception to the game is still AMAZING despite that! I hope that you can all continue enjoying Bat to the Heavens in whatever way you enjoy!
I don't know why I still feel stressed out despite launch going pretty well for my first game ever, but hopefully that can fade when I stop babying the game with all these patches! Since this game was conceived and made entirely within this year, a few bugs are expected, I think I've done well enough. I did talk about the game ( spoiler warning ) on a stream, and probably will continue to talk about it from time to time, but I'll only reveal more of my hand maybe like... a year down the line if the chance shows itself!
There are only a few more things left to really do and consider, which are:
On the mind!
The Mac build... I am rethinking this, and without a reliable way to test it, I feel like it would be irresponsible of me to release on just because I could export it to mac. If I did that and it just didn't work I think it would be very irresponsible, so please hold out! ( The radeon gpu shader bug that happened was very stressful I don't wish to go through that again! )
Community Items, Making all those assets for trading cards and whatnot... I don't really dabble in these at all myself but I am working on them, expect them soon!
Localization... Honestly, this one might be the biggest headache. I really have no idea if there is a way to do this more easily considering how most of the code is pretty badly written and non flexible!! Its hard for me to consider doing this immediately unless more interest in the game shows up, since dialogue is secondary in this game.
What else is planned?
For the future, I want to make way more different, unique, interesting games! I'm overflowing with all sorts of ideas, just pray they don't get too big in scope like this one... ( they will )
Next game!
The next game I have planned is literally nothing like this one--the only thing that would be consistent is that everything happens in the same world! There is a small thing in game that does allude to what I want to make next, and hopefully I can spin it as well or better than bat to the heavens! I don't intend on being AS secret as I did this game, since it's not of a world explore-y nature, but I think it'll be interesting nonetheless!
I know that people have been lamenting finishing bat to the heavens game cause of running out of content... the entropy of games running out for players to consume and enjoy... So...
Would I add extra content?
I would consider it if the fancy strikes me, and if the game does well! But at the moment, I really don't have any large desire to. I might have burnt myself a little out on this game, especially in the final weeks. It'll be hard to justify adding more stuff if it remains niche, especially since I did my best to fit as much content I could into the game. I would also have to worry about further optimization if more content is added. I'll never say never though!
Wowzor! That was a handful. Thank you so much for enjoying the game thus far! I can't believe I've released a game.. now that's wacky. I hope you look forward to what I make and do next!
