Red Spring Studio
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August Update: We Are Melting (It’s Fine)
🕑 Added 2025-08-29 17:09:11 +0000 UTCHello my favorite community! It’s time for our August check-in, and we’ve got a lot to share. From polishing Chapter 1 to hitting full-game milestones, here’s where TOUCHSTARVED is at right now! 🌙
🛠️ August 2025 Dev Snapshot
Narrative
Chapter 1 – Writing | ⚒️ ~ Dialogue locked, VO prep underway
Full Game – Writing | ⚒️ 89% Drafted, 69% through final passes
Full Game – VO Prep | ⚒️ In Progress, scene + line selects underway
Voice Acting
Full Game – VO Recording | 📅 Talent Booked for Sessions in Q3 2025!
Art & Implementation
Chapter 1 – CG & UI Art | ⚒️ 84% Complete, final polish in progress
Chapter 1 – Implementation | ⚒️ 72% Complete, final art in progress
Full Game – CGs & BGs | ⚒️ ~59% Complete
Systems & Testing
Full Game – Systems/Code | ⚒️ 63% Complete, revamped UI in progress
Chapter 1 – QA + Bug Fixes | 📅 Testing Phase Scheduled (Begins late summer)
Localization Planning | ⚒️ In Progress, negotiating with translation partners
Release Plan
Chapter 1 – Early Access | 🔓 Launching Q3 2025 for qualifying backer tiers
Chapter 1 – General Access | 🔓 Launching Q4 2025 for all other backers
Full Game – Public Release | ⏳ Targeting 2026 (exact quarter TBD)
📌 Reminder: VO and localization are end-of-pipeline tasks. These are progressing as planned, not behind schedule!
🛠️ Art Updates
Surprise! We’ve got new art to show you!
Art is the longest part of the process, but our insanely talented team has been picking up speed over the summer. That’s thanks to our artists, of course, but also to the producers and directors wrangling schedules, running meetings, and making sure everyone’s set up for success. (It takes a village, and far too many shared calendars.)
nothing beats a jet2 holiday!
“We stand before a mansion, its planters teeming with blooming flowers. The doorway is draped in velvet curtains…”
This beautiful background will make its first appearance in the upcoming Chapter 1 sneak peek for backers! It plays a bigger role in DLC after launch, but you’ll see plenty of it before then. 😏 Any guesses what it’s for?
me: he’s soooo cute i could fix him💕 also me: [obituary photo]
“Vere towers over me, somehow massive yet as ephemeral as smoke. Shadows peel off his fur and pool like ink below him…”
Here’s a rough concept of Vere’s Monster form 🦊 His collar controls when and how he can transform, which means he’s (mostly) safe to be around.
yk i’m smashing that audio button when [redacted]
The game’s been getting a makeover recently thanks to our wonderful UI artist (shout out to backers for hitting that stretch goal 🥰)!
Here’s a peek of the WIP design for the History Log. That’s the feature where you can view previously read lines and rewind the game. In the future, you’ll also be able to relisten to VO lines here too! 😳
We can’t wait to show you how the game’s new look is coming along as more features get reskinned. It is legitimately gorgeous so far.
💌 Thanks Everyone!
That’s all for this month! The Chapter 1 sneak peek for backers is almost here, and we’re working hard to make sure it’s ready. Each love interest gets one chapter in the preview, so altogether that’s about eight hours of gameplay!
We’re thrilled, nervous, and caffeinated in equal measure. Thank you for your patience, positivity, and for cheering us on through the summer heat!
Also, a quick reminder! Tomorrow at PAX West, one of our incredible directors Dev Presbury will be speaking on the panel “Celebrating and Demystifying the Art of Creating Visual Novels (13+).” She’s more brilliant and kind than I can describe in this update, so if you’re attending, please stop by to say hi and show her some love!
📅 Saturday, Aug 30, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Frog Theatre (The Summit, Level 3)
👀 Got Questions?
You can always reach us:
via comments
Thanks for sticking around! The best parts are still ahead 🤍!
With love (and an unreasonable amount of sticky notes),
—Lulu @ Red Spring Studio
PS: Sofi might be writing these from now on, so farewell in case I never see you again 🕊️ (jk)
Comments
Lindsey Harrington
They're literally giving us monthly updates on the progress of the development?? They're a small team???? Making a GOOD game takes time??? Did you buy a monthly patreon just to spew hate?
Lindsey Harrington
VERE MONSTER FORM VERE MONSTER FORM VERE MONSTER FORM VERE-
FoxyTheChaotic
Given that you've promised us this game for a couple years now I'm really beginning to think you are milking the paetron and kickstarter for money without any real return in investment. At this point an updated demo game that goes beyond what initially was given is the least you could offer.
Vierose.444
I dont want to fix him I'm going to bend him over and break him :3
Paninay
I can see why the art takes the most time like, all of it is so breathtaking, unique and some of the best work I’ve seen (just posting a sketch I scream ough.) it’s what got me so interested to play the demo :.3
WizardlyMagicks
The genuine absolute excitement I felt at seeing Vere's Monster form, he's definitely my "I could fix him, but I like this better~"
Spicy Ramen
Mmmmm dlc….is this inside one of the brothels that Elyon owns?
Red Spring Studio
In the future maybe! Right now we're stretched a little thin, but we'll definitely keep you updated when that changes!
Yoko
VERE LOOKS SO GOOD OMG I'D LET HIM EAT ME (literally.) Anyways just out of curiosity will you guys ever make a discord server??
Liv
I can’t wait to find out who the voice actors are 👀
Red Spring Studio
vere also looks like a snack, don’t leave him out!! (love your icon also 🫡)
Pepi
I just know Vere hates the way Imma coo and aww at him. BUT ALSO new UI looks delicious!
Stary💫
😂😂
Slater T
im SO ready for this game u guys dont even UNDERSTAND
Asami Ayla
Each new detail - more excitement! Thank you for your work. 💖 Can't wait to lead the war of wits with my favorite monster boy before I brush his fur to sleep. :)
Orange
Putting my finger through his cheek hole and flapping it around before he bites it off
Red Spring Studio
The monsters are my FAVES so I can't wait til we can show more of them. Thank you so much for your love 🫶!!
Red Spring Studio
UNO REVERSE
Kiande
VERE LET ME IN
DNN LUU
Moooooore monster form sneak peeks por favor🥺💕💕 aaaaa, I'm so excited to see all the art!!! And the UI design is so fancy, so glad yall got to that goal🥺💕
Lovely Nya
I CANT WAITTTTT OMFGGGG THIS IS SO NICEE!! Thank you so so much for the update! ALso Im screaming so loud! ELYONNNNNNN MY BELOVEDDDD KYAHHHH!!! *kicking my feet*
Zoey_Creates
oohing and ahhing at everything I'm seeing!! seeing the love & dedication being put into this game makes me so excited! all the love to the rss team <33
Faustian.D Gaius
I screamed!! OOOOHH To brush Vere's fur/hair!!!!! AAAH
May
ooooh the colors are giving brothel
Rikki
I would guess the background shows a brothel👀?
Red Spring Studio
you and me both 😌
Red Spring Studio
YOU HAVE A GOOD EYE
Red Spring Studio
we will fix him together 🤝
schau
I can toootally fix Vere, give him to meeee 🤲 the history log looks amazing and with the voice over replays!!! this is so good 🥰 hooopefull for some option for us dummies who missed the kickstarter to get access to that general preview 🥺🙏
Alexis
The way I started cheering seeing Vere's monster form. Its so cool!!
yarrowbloom
Ooo I love how the blue orchids are there, makes me feel even more certain that it’s Ellie’s brothel!:)
