To my fellow Bit Blasters!
First of all, I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that has played, shared, supported and rated Bit Blaster XL since its release on Steam in January. It really means a lot to me as a solo, still learning developer that so many people are enjoying my game. Thank you so so much!
I just wanted to put a couple bullet points out there to express some amazing (or at least I think so) facts and milestones in Bit Blaster XL's journey over its first five months on Steam.
- 40,000+ players worldwide (that's crazy to me)
- 99% Overwhelmingly Positive review status on Steam, sometimes even topping out as the highest on average reviewed title available on the Steam platform (this is thanks to everyone's constant kind words and awesome reviews)
- Many patches and hot fixes since release, including everything from bug fixes, new modes (manual fire), leader boards, more achievements, new ships to unlock, new power ups, new enemies, new music, rewritten movement system, and many other significant graphical and game play improvements
- An incredibly helpful and active community helping me track down every last bug and issue in the game as well as suggest great new features and improvements to add
- A huge amount of wicked posts, comments and articles on many press sites, Reddit and Twitter
Over the last month or so I have been focusing mostly on my day job (I am a self employed IT guy) while keeping an eye on Bit Blaster XL forums to ensure anyone having a problem could get some help. I recently bought my first Condo with my GF and moved/set up my office at my new home. Here is a little preview of my modest space...
I still have yet to hang my last few posters (waiting for my HL2 one to finish being framed). I also needed to make some time to play some new games, Stardew Valley (basically my dream game when I was growing up), Uncharted 4 (was a stellar conclusion), and even toying around with my new HTC Vive and a variety of the software that comes with that (check out Job Simulator, The Lab, and Space Pirate Trainer)
Now that I am settled in at my new place (mostly) I am ready to get back to working on the next significant patch for Bit Blaster XL. I wanted to keep everyone in the loop so that you all know I am still around and reading your ideas and suggestions and taking notes all while doing the best I can to provide customer support to anyone having issues. I don't yet have a date for when I will be releasing the next patch, as I intend to take my time and look harder into some things that have really confounded me in the past.
I can offer no guarantees for what will or won't make it into the patch, but I am certainly looking hard at things suggested to me by the community including;
- Pause system
- Static backgrounds to liven up the environment, without impacting the play
- Steam cloud for saves
- In-game resolution and windowed mode options
Please keep in mind, I am just learning as I go, so I cannot promise these will ever actually make it in, just know that I am going to do my damndest to look into implementing them if I can.
On top of those things above, I have my own list of changes / additions I will be making (ones I know for sure I can code) These changes include things like; an entirely new mode, additional underlying systems of game play to add more strategy to the experience (while still being able to play exactly how you do now too if you want), along with some great small fixes, graphical additions and game play enhancements.
I just want to say thank you again for all the support so far. Hopefully Bit Blaster XL can continue to make an impact with players looking for a fun retro arcade game experience. I hope that this eventually turns into me being able to work on games as my day job instead of it just a hobby. I can only imagine the things I could learn and create with the extra time, especially with an awesome community like you all offering feedback along the way.
Oh also, Bit Blaster XL will be on the week long sale on Steam starting next Monday for 50% off, that's as low as $0.49 cents in many markets, so selling the trading cards will literally(probably) pay you back. Please don't hesitate to share Bit Blaster XL with your friends and family, your favorite press sites and Youtubers, or leave a brief review on Steam if you have yet to do so, letting others know what you like about it. It all really helps me to continue to make games and make them the best I can.
Adam Nickerson
Nickervision Studios
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