knightofsolace
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Why Version 0.70 will be Delayed
🕑 Added 2020-12-24 23:53:47 +0000 UTCThis is a post I never wanted to write. As you all know, I hate delaying the game for any reason, and I always feel like the versions I release never have enough content in exchange for the wonderful support you all show me, but I will have to delay it this time. For reference, the last time a Version update was late was back in November of last year when I was briefly homeless. It's about that bad. In many ways, it's worse.
This Tuesday, I received a call from my in laws that my uncle had passed away. It's a loss that I can only describe as devastating. For someone that writes basically part time, I have no words to emphasize the magnitude of this tragedy. He was not my biological father, but he was my dad. My family has been completely blind-sided by this: he was relatively young, healthy, and extremely fit. From what I understand from the autopsy, and what the coroner has told me, he suffered a mini-stroke that damaged the part of his brain responsible for impulse control, and then he shot himself in his driveway not three minutes before coming back from dancing with his wife. He was still in the driver's seat. It's so horrifyingly bizarre that I can scarcely believe it's real. It's the kind of absurd set of circumstances that belongs on an NCIS episode.
My mother is in pieces. She already lost her father, my grandfather, earlier this year. We're both on bereavement leave, and will be driving out to help settle the funeral arrangements, attend the service, and everything else that comes after. You can imagine what it's like to have a funeral during the current world circumstances. This has demanded all of my attention since Tuesday, and I don't see that changing soon. I'll be busy this week, all of next week, and perhaps a few days after that.
Onto the game, you all know that I like to show you that I'm working as hard and as honestly as possible. I'll be working tonight and tomorrow so that I can release what's done as a sort of "mini" version update. It will consist of the work from the first two weeks, which will be Valentina's 3.5 events. It will be an "early" release since I won't have time to listen to bug reports and fix potential problems. When I get back, I'll resume development of Version 0.70 "from the top." Which means I will be restarting the six week development schedule beginning with Riley, who won that last poll.
I am so very sorry about this. I've planned for so many things to prevent delays, but I never saw this coming.
Thank you for all of your support,
~Solace
Comments
Osamabeenfappin
Sorry to hear about your loss. And I doubt anyone is going to be upset about a delay under the circumstances.
Knight of Solace
Thank you, Devil. It's always good to hear from you, and it means a lot to hear you now. I'll keep a steady course, and work within my limits.
Knight of Solace
Thank you so much. This is all the easier because, when it's done, I know that I'll have so many good people waiting for me.
Knight of Solace
I'm sorry for your loss. We're all still reeling from ours, but we're also all still moving forward. I'll take as much time as necessary, and my plans to return to work in a week or two are because I believe I will have made a full recovery by then. Thank you for your words of support and your hug.
Knight of Solace
Thank you for the kind words.
Whooli
Life in its many forms happens and we are beholden to its trials. I understand and respect any need for extra time.
Oysterkeeper
Sorry, no words I say can make it easier but don't be afraid to take all the time you need. We'll be here supporting you.
Riidher66776
My heart goes out to you in condolences for you and your family. Your right it is so bizarre. Take more time if you need to, we will be fine. I lost my mom not long ago and my dad a couple of years ago. It's never easy. They say that time heals all wounds. It doesn't really, but it does make it easier to go on. Go forward with all he taught you, make him proud that you have not forgotten. Hugs, and Good Luck
Arctic Alpha
I'm so sorry to hear that. Having lost close loved ones myself, I know it's hard.
Knight of Solace
Thank you so much for your understanding. I return your virtual hug with as much internet vigor as I can summon! I will take care of myself and I look forward to continuing this visual novel journey soon. Be safe over the holidays.
Knight of Solace
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I will be okay. I'm very closely monitoring my mental health, and I find that working consistently on something like this improves it. Honestly, being able to work on the game for a short period without having to worry about my day job is a real joy, only tarnished by the circumstances that caused it. I promise that I won't burn out and that I'll keep producing content at a rate that is healthy.
Hagbard_Celine
Sorry for your loss. We all have these influences in our lives who may not be related but still feel like mentors and parents. For me, it was my best friend's mother, who always gave me a safe haven when my homelife was in tatters. Hugs brother! Take care of yourself and the game should always take a backseat to real life.
Langy
Damn, that's awful. I don't know about others, but I'd really rather you take the time needed to heal - and working on Christmas immediately after a tragedy like that is likely not good for stress levels or health in general. There are a lot of really good studies that show that taking leave to de-stress can actually improve work output even after taking into account the amount of lowered time-on-task due to taking leave. So, yeah, I don't need a release immediately - I'd rather support the long-term health of you, and the project. Rest up, recover as much as you can, and deal with this - the game, and my patronage, will be here when you are able to handle things better.
