MessyAcademy
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v0.20 release date updated! (Important)
🕑 Added 2021-12-13 01:55:59 +0000 UTCThis will apply for v0.19 being released for the public as well.
I really don't like going back on my word after I've put out the mention that we'd expect new content on Dec 15th. But I have to come out and admit fully that even with trying to get everything wrapped up here within the past week, it just doesn't seem like I'll be able to deliver on the 15th and it's better to admit defeat sooner than last minute. >.<
I didn't expect work to get as crazy busy as it has heading into this month before our company shuts down for the season, more so since our company has been struggling a good month or two prior and so now suddenly everything that was backed up has put a lot of strain on many of us trying to fulfill orders before the shut down. It's chaotic to say the least.. (My day job)
Regardless of what excuse I have for everyone, I know it's not going to sit right after the continuous delays and false dates set along the way. The only thing I can say about that is that I'm truly sorry for letting anyone down, I feel like I've let myself down and beat myself up over it often about how this year as a whole has felt in development related to myself. (Not blaming the rest of the team, as a ton of progress has been made on their part.)
I can only hope that we can make things right as we head into 2022 with our plans to get back on track with new content every 30-45 days as a set deadline. Which means, the moment it's reached 45 days tops, regardless if we're missing some cg art or some features. We're still releasing said content and will make notes of what is being added with every update and what was/is to be added that is missing from said update, etc.
With that said... It still doesn't make this whole situation any better in the now and here... >.< So here's my rough plan below for the rest of this month and I hope that while it isn't what was expected, that it'll help kick off the new year and begin to make things right for my shortcomings in 2021.
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The company I work for shuts down this coming Friday for 2 weeks, but I have enough time saved from this year to take a early leave and begin my break around the 15th. From there forward, there's still some holiday plans already made with family, but I'm looking to stick with my promise in the previous news post that I'd still get as much dev work done possible this month during my break period, besides the set days aside.
I think to be completely open and honest, while I would like to say that we could release v0.20 by the end of this month easily given where we are in the process. I think it's safe to say given the holidays, it'd be too much to ask of Artie to try pulling everything off last minute like that.
So... Here comes my thoughts that should work out given that v0.20 content is on the edge of release, just awkward timing with the busy season.. I fully expect that once new year's eve is over with and things settle down again. I can easily say without a doubt by then that we can see v0.20 release on January 7th.
v0.19 (public) ~ January 7th release
v0.20 (supporter) ~ January 7th release
Shortly after those releases to officially kick off and begin 2022, by the end of January I'm expecting we'd have our next content release done as well very quickly!
v0.21 (supporter) ~ January 31st release
This update will focus on new content added to episodes 1-4 mainly, with some tiny fixes to episode 5 by then. Previous episodes will receive some polished, fixed grammar, along with many other new bits of content to see, such as... Visuals for bg/oc student sprites added to episodes 1-4, new meaningful choices added, new cg variants and visuals added, new music added, new mini scenes added and much more within that style of content.
From there forward, we'll then set v0.22 for a deadline release date of March 17th at the latest. Which would be 45 days after v0.21, but there will be very possible chances we'll get route content done a bit quicker than previous episode content and so it could be early March as well.
With that out of the way... I'd like to begin go over some plans below to begin to make it up to everyone that's been sticking with us throughout 2021.
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First off, a small bonus wallpaper is coming later this month that is going to be exclusive to our supporters for at least 2-3+ months before it becomes public. When I say supporters, do not worry! What I mean is that if you've supported us at any given moment within 2021, even if it's one month. I'm going to personally send out a special link for anyone that isn't an active supporter to gain access to said wallpaper, this goes for any active supporters currently who decide to halt their support as we head into 2022. You too, will receive a personal message from me for your wallpaper.
Secondly and more so! Seeing that v0.20 has been promised since loooong, long ago... Back since July after we released v0.19. I think it's completely fair to everyone that we do this, just this once to help make things right. Anyone who has supported us since July until now in December will receive a special link to gain access to v0.20, regardless if you've only supported us for one month since then or more. (This counts for anyone new looking to support us for $5 until the end of this month.) Come Jan 7th, after we make the Patreon release post for v0.20, that same day we'll send out the special link/messages to those who apply to these requirements above.
Thirdly, As we move into the new year. We know that v0.20 has been a long awaited release and seeing that v0.21 won't quite feel on par. We're actually going to make sure that supporters going into the new year have exclusive time with v0.20 + v0.21, it won't be until we release v0.22 in March, when public fans will be given access to v0.20 + v0.21 content rolled into one release. (So come March 2022 for public fans, instead of seeing "v0.20" released. It'll be labeled "v0.21" But it'll contain all content of those two releases.) We hope that feels fair to our supporters and still within reason to our public fans, after that, things will roll out normally between supporter/public releases.
Fourthly and lastly! In January once v0.20 is out, during January and February. We're going to host a ton of mini community events that let's everyone feel more engaged with not only other fans/supporters of MA, but with the dev team! We're not fully sure yet on what these events will cover, but there's some fun ideas floating around in mind. Stuff along the lines of... Simply playing some games together on Switch/PS4 consoles, to more MA related community events that fall under contests or rewards earned from taking part! (Hopefully these will be fun and we'll continue to put some time aside that works with our dev schedule for more community engaging throughout 2022 and beyond!)
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That all being said... I know there's probably mixed feelings with this post and I understand the different angles of your thoughts out there. I really feel like I've let everyone down this year in some fashion and it really affects me as much as it probably does as many of you supporters/fans out there feel about it.
I can only hope and pray that what is being promised here is fulfilled, along with being a good start to undo any wrong we might've done to anyone within the year. If there's ideas as to some reasonable rewards or other benefits that we can deliver on to make things feel right as we get back on track in 2022. Please let us know! (One thought I've had moving into 2022 is to allow early access to new releases during their testing phase a few days before release if there's interest in that as a benefit?)
Besides everything mentioned above, I'd like to remind everyone that we do still have some stuff to look forward to this month regarding cg previews. What we might do is show off some upcoming new variant art being added in v0.21 this month, so be on the lookout for that.
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who has supported us during this awkward year for us in development! Thanks goes out to all of our non supporters who have such a gleaming love for MA and what we do as well! You all make us very happy and so it's time to prepare to blow everyone's expectations out of the water during 2022! (We hope to make it even bigger than 2020's dev progress!)
Until our next post!
~From all of us at Messy Studios!~
Comments
I'm thankful for the update. ^^ because you could've just not told us. Then I'd be disappointed, but your so forthcoming with information I can only be excited with the attention to detail you put into the game/these posts. The community engagement is amazing. I think it would be awesome to play games with everyone! And chill as well. ^^ enjoy the holidays.
Wittwe AB Grw
Don't stress about it, we know you have a real life that you have to deal with as well. We're just big fans of your work and if it's a true fan they're willing to wait.
feelsbadman.inc
I think it would be in everybody's best interest if you just stopped giving hard release dates. I understand that there is always the possibility of delays given the nature of the game, size of the team, and of course other problems that arise. The problem is that we've gotten several different hard release dates for this update and every time it's been delayed. Although I am sure many are understanding it still feels disappointing when it happens, especially when you say that the date for the update is "confirmed and done" and yet it still gets pushed back. Leaving the dates as you seem to be doing for the next updates as a broad amount of time will definitely curb the problem and people will still know generally when they can expect the update to release. Also in regards to just releasing whatever you have for future updates once the 45 days are up, I do think it is a good idea in some ways, but I also believe that there can be several issues with this approach. I know the details aren't exactly ironed out so this could be a non-issue but I would at least hope that the written parts would be completed by the 45 days. I feel that it would be quite weird and awkward to just have an episode partially completed (writing wise) and then just releasing that and then having to do extra writing to complete it on top of what would be needed to be done for the next episode. Just doesn't really make sense in my head. I know this post is a bit harsh, but I just want to get my feelings on the matter out and hopefully avoid this issue in the future. Hope all is well, and cheers to the future of this game.
I wouldn't call then 'false hopes' even in the event of another delay. I simply call the aforementioned projected release dates estimates, and like any estimate, they aren't always on point and are subject to change, understandibly so. But, yeah, just keep up the good work and when it's ready, it's ready. Again, have a great day and a Merry Christmas (or whatever other holiday you may celebrate at this time, assuming you celebrate one at all [not everyone does, after all]).đđ
Eyup, I agree as well! Also thank you for understanding! ^^ I do understand that as well, I do hope that what we have planned out heading into 2022 for the little benefits/perks will help in some way for the delays and false hopes during 2021, but of course it'll only be a start. Either way! Every time there's comments like this, no matter how honest good or bad I receive. I'm very open with taking everything into consideration and understanding, which can be a bad thing at times. ^^" But I'm very happy to receive honest thoughts like these. <3
It is possible to go about it that way, the only bit about that is that sometimes I'll receive comments asking when the next update is. Which of course can be handled with "We haven't figured it out yet." I don't know for sure yet, but I do 100% agree that each time a set deadline date is set and broken, it's saddening. (I know I let it get to me.) Of course I do have high hopes for everything going into 2022 being a clean state, fresh and handling things differently. But if for some reason there's early signs that we're fearing that we'll break a deadline past 30-45 days. We'll probably make it clear at some point in the future to go with the "Update is out when it's ready, etc" ^^" Either way, I fully agree and thank you for your honest thoughts regarding this! <3
I agree with the above. No need to keep beating yourself up over this. These things take time, and delays are common. We can wait a bit longer. Besides, I'd rather the updates weren't rushed to death, so I'm quite glad you're trying to make sure everything's good and done before release, no matter how many times you've been forced to delay it.
Sweatwater
Have y'all considered just not setting deadlines for updates? Since you pump out development updates often enough we can see there's at least work being done, but setting deadlines and then busting them is just gonna get people's hopes up to drop them I, personally, would rather just get a "it's out when it's out" and then the update when y'all are finished as opposed to this.
