SnaccPopStudios
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Delayed but Dedicated: The Current Status of “Something’s Wrong with Sunny Day Jack”
🕑 Added 2024-10-30 22:52:17 +0000 UTCDear Patrons,
We want to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and enthusiasm for Something’s Wrong With Sunny Day Jack. Your excitement fuels our passion, and it pains us to share this difficult news with you.
It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that the release of Something’s Wrong With Sunny Day Jack will not be happening this Halloween or this fall as we had hoped.
Over the past few months, our team has faced a series of unexpected challenges that have significantly impacted our production timeline.
As some of you are aware, we previously had to let go of our previous programmer, which you can read here and here.
Becoming An Actual Business
Since June I've successfully registered SnaccPop Studios as an LLC within the U.S., making sure we meet all the necessary state requirements, which you can read more about here and here. Once that was taken care of, I applied for and received an EIN from the IRS, which helps us establish our business identity for tax and banking purposes.
After that, I filed IRS Form 8832 to elect C-corporation status for our tax classification. With the EIN and business registration all set, I opened a dedicated business bank account to keep our finances separate from our personal accounts.
Next, I worked with a lawyer to address our legal needs, including drafting and reviewing contracts to ensure we're compliant with industry regulations. I also reached out to a tax advisor to help manage our C-corp obligations and develop an effective tax strategy.
For our financial management, I brought on board a financial accountant to take charge of bookkeeping, track our expenses, and prepare our financial statements.
Right now, I’m in the process of customizing contracts for our contractors, paying careful attention to our unique payment structure and task requirements so we can kick off production once again.
~ Ane, Studio Head of SnaccPop Studios
SAG STRIKE
In July, the industry faced significant labor actions. SAG-AFTRA, one of the largest performer unions, went on strike against video game companies after 18 months of unsuccessful negotiations regarding AI protections for performers. There are growing concerns about companies using AI to replicate actors without their consent or fair compensation. We stand in solidarity with the union and our voice actors. To avoid jeopardizing their potential entry into the union, we’ve made the difficult decision to put all voice acting in our games at SnaccPop Studios on hold.
The SAG-AFTRA voice actor strike in the video game industry arose from concerns over issues like fair wages, working conditions, and the use of technology in performance capture and artificial intelligence. Voice actors sought improved contracts that would ensure better compensation, transparency regarding the use of their recordings, and protections against the exploitation of their work.
For voice actors who cross the picket line—whether union or non-union—the consequences can be significant. Union members who defy the strike risk facing disciplinary actions from SAG-AFTRA, which could include fines, loss of membership, or being barred from future union jobs. Non-union actors might face reputational damage within the industry, potentially limiting their future opportunities. They may also be prevented from joining unions in the future.
REVENUE AND MID-PREVIOUS MANAGEMENT
Currently, we are awaiting the transfer of SnaccPop’s revenue and the Kickstarter funds for SDJ from our former management.
To explain, when our previous management left, we had a temporary middle management team step in. Initially, there were plans to fully transfer the studio into their care. However, after receiving lukewarm reactions to SnaccPop content created during their tenure and a lack of communication from them, as well their academic life overwhelming them, the decision was reversed.
The secondary previous management team has since split up. One person is continuing to work on SnaccPop content, another has stepped back due to scheduling conflicts and other issues, and the third person has formally separated.
The head of the three remaining members and the active financial and productive manager requested a portion of the SDJ Kickstarter funds to oversee production further. After their departure, we have been waiting for them to return the total amount of SnaccPop treasury funds they hold. This was initially delayed to issues with PayPal, Wise, Western Union, etc. and most recently an issue with previous management’s bank account and transfer limits. Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring the SDJ Kickstarter funds and remaining revenue are returned back to us.
HEALTH, ILLNESS, AND COMPUTER ISSUES
I wanted to share a bit about my journey with Something’s Wrong With Sunny Day Jack (SDJ) and what’s been happening lately. As some of you might know, working on this project has come with its fair share of challenges for me.
When I first started SDJ, I had big dreams and a budget that I naively crafted with the idea that I would tackle most of the work myself—scripting in NaniNovel, creating the artwork, and doing all the writing. My heart was in the right place, but as the project progressed, it became clear that this approach invited quite a few hurdles along the way.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is my ongoing battle with some personal health issues, which I’m becoming more open about. Since the early days of SDJ, I’ve been dealing with multiple mental and physical health concerns, including C-PTSD, ADHD, ASD, depression, anxiety, and the process of grieving. These challenges may sound like just mental bumps in the road, but I assure you they’ve deeply affected me, both physically and mentally, and on top of that, I’ve had various home-life issues to juggle.
At first, I pushed through these challenges, but over the past couple of years, things have gotten tougher due to some personal events that I can’t share in detail. Just know that they were significant and made my health struggles even harder.
As my ability to cope began to fade, I reached out for medical and psychiatric help, as I mentioned in previous updates. Unfortunately, those efforts haven’t worked out as I had hoped. After a misprescription of strong sedatives, I’ve had a tough time getting the treatment I really need.
While this started as my project, I understand that access to proper treatment is a privilege, and not everyone has the power to change their circumstances or the long-term effects they lead to. Given all this, I feel it’s time for SnaccPop to shift away from relying solely on me and Ane for content creation.
Despite the obstacles, I took on extra work after we parted ways with our original programmer and managed to produce Patreon content, rewards, and SDJ’s current demo. However, that added workload only piled on more stress and burnout.
Then, this month brought another blow: both my main computer, which held SDJ’s latest progress and assets, and my backup hard drive with 2TB of work crashed within the same week. This loss wasn’t just about SDJ; it impacted my entire workspace, personal art, resources, and private files. Photos of someone who is no longer with me and whom I miss every day. I miss them so much and was devastated at the thought, the possibility that the last pieces I had of them were gone. They didn’t fully understand what I did when they were here, but they were proud of me and encouraged me nonetheless. Both my computer and hard drive are still being repaired, and updates on that have been slow. Then, my iPad started acting up when I would draw, and I'm decently sure it's decided it's finished with heavy duty work.
Just the other day, I was able to purchase a new desktop. I'm able to draw again.
As of now, we know most of SDJ is saved. All of TGoGM, DachaBo, and AD's concept art is saved. I say most of SDJ because there was about 200 gb worth of items in the folder and I have no way of knowing if one or two odd things are lost. But it was backed up to OneDrive AND a new hard drive shortly before the hard drive died.
Right now, I’m in the wait-and-see phase with my hard drive data recovery, and I promise to keep everyone in the loop as things develop. However, I have to be honest; I haven’t been doing well since the last update. I’ve been taking steps toward improving my health and trying to distance myself from negativity, but the road to recovery still feels uncertain. Thanks for being here, and for your understanding!
~ JambeeBot, SDJ, AD, DCB, and TGoGM Creator
Currently, all contractors are going through the rehiring process as I customize and send out each tax form, work contract, agreement, etc., that they need to read, agree to, and sign—approximately ~160 total documents, give or take. No one can perform labor, and I cannot pay anyone until these are all sent out. I have been struck with the flu, which has hindered the progress of getting these out. Recently, I went to the doctor’s to get an analysis on a scan I had months prior. They discovered a tumor. They do not know if it’s benign, cancerous, or requires surgery, I’ll have to wait to get a referral from my primary care provider to a specialist to know anything further. In the meantime, outside of future doctor’s appointments, I’ll still be doing everything I can administrative and creative wise to get SnaccPop production started again.
We have wanted to work on these projects as much as you have wanted to see, hear, and enjoy them. We are just a small indie studio where most contractors wear as many hats as they can and work when they’re able. Often, JambeeBot and I are working solo. They worked on an entire new build of SDJ demo, including all new sprites, CGs, and writing. I am in the midst of creating new accounts, calling and emailing representatives, negotiating, writing/customizing paperwork, etc. all while fighting the flu and finding out about having a tumor. We are human beings, just like you. We get sick, we burn out, we have to eat, drink, sleep, etc. on top of everything else that happens in our personal lives. You are free and have every right to cancel your Patreon membership when we are on hiatus and come back when we post IP content updates more frequently. We hope to get everything running again as soon as we are able. It was never our intention to let anyone down, your donations are safely tucked away until production starts again, we are doing our absolute best.
~ Ane, Studio Head of SnaccPop Studios
AFTERWARDS
We understand that this news is disappointing, and we sincerely apologize for not being able to deliver the game as originally scheduled. Please know that our commitment to bringing you a high-quality and immersive experience remains unwavering. We are working tirelessly to overcome these obstacles and resume production as soon as possible.
Your support and understanding mean the world to us during this difficult time. We have one more announcement coming soon about SnaccPop moving forward.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your continued patience.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The SnaccPop Studios Team
Comments
TheVampireRose
this isn't just a one off kind of thing tho. This has been a pattern at this point. It's perfectly fine to take time to handle health issues, but at this point it feels like it's always something. Time, money, and content as been put into this project by so many fans and unfortunately we have very little to show for it. While personal matters are a valid reason to take time, at the end of this all this is still a project people invested in.
Kame
Obviously? But that’s not my point. It still doesn’t mean they should shake off any form of responsibility. Like I said. 2 years. If it was going to be THAT bad, as unfortunately, there is also more than one mental health post they should’ve given it up to somebody that could truly handle it and properly taken care of themselves or stop the project altogether.
Moody_Rea
They are still humans and not machines at the end of the day. Mental issues and other factors are not something to brush off.
TheVampireRose
Preach. Honestly this.
Kame
Alright imma be that person. I only say this, not just because I care but because it’s time to smell the coffee at this point. 2 years. This project has had its wheels turning for a collective two years altogether. I was definitely a supporter from the start, and I understand a lot about drawback personal time to yourself and also moments to recollect, and that everybody has a life outside of trying to build a game. But that’s not the problem. The Strike doesnt make too much sense to me since production had started before that even happened and you’re indie. The entire two years the most I collected about this studio as a whole is nothing but excuse after excuse a lot of which could’ve been easily fixed. I remember putting my money in the first time enjoying the little content that would be offered to sate the wait for the MAIN thing everybody was asking for. Not only could you not deliver at least that the most we all came to receive was a bunch of projects that had nothing to do with what people were actually paying for. Was it nice to see and listen to? Of course, but then again it’s kind of like the filler before the next episode. The problem is all we were getting is JUST a bunch of filler. I remember reading a while back that a bunch of programmers were all assigned to different projects instead of all of them working on the one project in question being “What’s wrong with Sunny Day Jack”. That’s already a yikes for me, when I read the drama, it didn’t make sense why this person wasn’t fired from the get-go. I don’t care what personal ties you had you guys are a business at the end of the day. There is no excuse on why you couldn’t get rid of them at the first sign that there was an issue. What came after that was all because the problem wasn’t cut out at the start. This then leaves me with the question is anyone going to get their money back? I genuinely remember people gave money on the kick starter for strictly SDJ; and even with these problems, you kept the Patreon open still taking everyone’s money when there’s been a delay on more than not only the main project, but even a few side projects people also had big interest like Dachabo and Aphrodesia the fact that you couldn’t deliver on the ONE promise you marketed on is and of itself a red flag. And that’s already unfortunately gaining traction and being labeled as this is a scam. Again, I get it. We are all people at the end of the day and we all got shit in our lives, however, you signed up to be a creator, made more than 50K out of Kickstarter, had not only a big team, but also you and whoever else— even those in back up— was in charge called the shots on who can be fired and who could be hired. This piece of management is the most awful thing I have ever had to witness and read overtime and all of this could’ve easily been avoided if someone spoke up and wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is. I know it’s hard for others to say the silent part out loud, but I know a good chunk of everyone is tired of the excuses and the constant need for sympathies over your lack of responsibility on how to commit to one thing. I don’t mean any ill will on anyone. Yet the hard truth is is this was something no one was ready to handle or put on their shoulders as seen by how many times I can count each and every “Delay” and “Apology” post there is in the entire Patreon or even on Twitter. I do hope most of you can grow and understand at the end of the day. But I’m definitely going to be the one to say I am not only deeply disappointed but dissatisfied as a fan and a customer to what I know most of you could’ve done better. And I still hope you do, I’m happy to see the patience of some people to seeing this game being fulfilled, but even THEY deserve better than what you have been giving them these last two years.
SnaccPop Studios
Due to our concern regarding the rampant insurgence of minors attempting to sneak into our community and spaces, we reached out to Patreon for guidance. In our direct correspondence with Patreon support staff, we were explicitly informed that as creators of 18+/NSFW content, all posts—regardless of whether they contain SFW content—had to be and should have always been behind a paywall. We were previously unaware of this requirement, as it is not clearly stated in their policies and guidelines on their website. In response, we placed all Patreon posts behind at least the $1 USD A Nibble tier. We are aware of the comparison of our situation to other NSFW/18+ content creators, it brings to mind the age-old question: "If your friends jump off a cliff, are you going to jump off a cliff too?" What other content creators are willing to do or the risks they take with the possibility of having their pages removed is their concern. Our primary concern is ensuring that we properly adhere to Patreon guidelines and protect the adults within our community and provide a space free from as many minors as possible, a paywall is one of the few barriers we have to bar entry, until Patreon incorporates more robust features to verify the ages of its members.
Kaiyashu
Hey, making a full-blown game is a ton of work, especially with everything you all have on your plate. Personally, I'd rather wait for a quality game instead of rushing something and it turning out to be broken. I'll definitely still be here when SDJ comes out. :)
hetablerg
Sure but maybe make this explanation public? It’s another red flag to only make it available to the people paying you.
Indira Mendoza
We know that you are human, you get sick and you can have problems, yes I feel sad for the long wait and somewhat disappointed for not having the game yet, but I am grateful and I can be empathetic as a subscriber of the circumstances that you have as an independent company, you are the experts and you know when all the projects you have will be ready, I only have to say that you take care of yourselves, that you do what is in your reach and that at least you are more careful. In the future with these mishaps of damage to computers, it is better that you clarify things for us and not give something bad or that you have not promised, thanks to jambee and NaniNovel for bringing characters like Jack, Tmon and Dachaboo, hoping that you do not leave these projects despite the time, they are worth it. Thank you and much strength.
SnaccPop Studios
The studio head had been sick with the flu for a few weeks leading up to this day, and the IP creator was also facing their own mental health struggles, including their computers and drives crashing not helping in the slightest. Very few people have access to or the authority to speak in their stead, so it was decided that it was best to allow both of them to recover enough to ensure a proper announcement was made.
Toriguana
Honestly, I recently discovered the game and I love it. I adore the story and the characters, I could wait 10 years to play it, because I really love SDJ, I will be supporting you in this and your next projects <3
hetablerg
I understand that delays happen and the team’s health is more important than anything else. That being said, why are you only telling us about delays a day before release was supposed to happen? That’s a red flag for me. Feels like this should’ve been announced much earlier.
Starball
I'm definitely going to stay as long as I can afford it. I'm very excited anytime theres an update. You all deserve to have a life outside of work and to take care of your health. Especially right now with all that is going on and has happened. <3
strawberryshortcake
Take all the time you need. Art can't be rushed after all. SDJ has helped me in some of my darkest times and it continues to bring joy to my life. I'll be right here when the game comes out, I've been here for almost three years XD
Vagitor
Honestly, I don't understand why people are balking about delays or missed deadlines. It would be more understandable if the amount of time taken was inconsistent with the quality of work presented, however I can personally vouch that that is absolutely NOT the case with the development of SWWSDJ! My heart honestly breaks thinking about how hard everyone at snaccpop studios is working, only to receive some hate for it in the end..
MagicSoi Sauce
I'm so sorry to hear about the health problems you guys are dealing with. I can't imagine how scary it must be. I don't plan on canceling my subscription. I want to support you guys for as long as I can. I'll be patently waiting for SWWSDJ.
SnaccPop Studios
SAG-AFTRA video game actors are striking for fair pay, safer voice protections, and more project transparency. This may delay games and change some character voices.
Karen Castillo
My best wishes to the whole team who do an excellent job. I sincerely hope that they manage to overcome all the bad things they have had to suffer... after all, they are human beings. I look forward to more news and more games just as excellent.
Anastasia Averianova
I know very well how important mental and physical health is for productive work, so as always, I want to write words of support. You are great and doing great despite such serious obstacles. With all my heart and soul I worry about your well-being. Your projects ignited me after a period of depression and stagnation, so I will always be grateful to you and ready to wait and support you
Unprofessional GingerAle Drinker
I'm still omega hyped for Deltarune so this aint nothing. Take as much time as you need.
Nightshade1217
What's this about a strike? Also don't feel pressured you guys are human with your own lived outside of snacpop and stuff can happen. Take all the time you need to make sdj what you all want it to be
Callie
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m in this for the long haul! Your passion for SDJ has always shone, and I’m so honored to be a part of it in any way possible! PLEASE continue to prioritize your health and safety above the IPs; those of us who are able to will wait patiently, and those who can’t may find their way back someday. I love you SnaccPop Studios! 💖
Livy Rocks
Take all the time you need. Health is important and needed for everyone. No matter what happens you have our support! :)
Emaleth Soto
You are all human too, and we will be patient and wait as long as it takes. We just want you all to he safe, healthy, and happy. 😊 Please, take as long as you need. We will support and understand everything, so do whatever you all need to find comfort and peace. 🩷❤️🩹💞
GabbyAnn
Thank you so much for your transparency. This is one of the reasons I stay a patron and I'm always happy for any updates. (Bad or good)
SnaccPop Studios
Thank you! We are attempting to follow this quote by Shigeru Miyamoto, "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad."
Devilgirl111
2 years, 3 years Ik it will be worth it 🥳😊😊🥰🥰❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 take your time love ya
Relly
Honestly, this game could come out in a decade and I'd still be just as excited for it! Take all the time you need to make it as great as I know it's going to be, you'll still have fans waiting, I guarantee
