DECEMBER UPDATE: LIFE AND GAME

It's time to update you on some life stuff and some game stuff. 

LIFE STUFF

​I live in Vanuatu now. I got a job here as a communications officer for a branch of government, so will be here until late next year at least. I have been living here just over month, and so far it has been absolutely wonderful. I love the country, I love the people I'm meeting, and I love the language.

​And of course, I'm getting a lot of new stories. Just yesterday, for example, I was drinking some kava with colleagues at a kava bar.*

​*Kava is a drink made from the root/stump of a kava plant. It makes a mud tasting liquid, and after you drink it, you feel super relaxed. 

We were facing the sun, kava in hand, and I bent my head down to start my kava shot...then I noticed my leg.

 Unfortunately for me, I had stood on the entrance to an aggressive ant colony. Let me tell you, that was a bad day to wear flip flops...

All I can think of is that it must have been really confusing for people walking by at that moment. What they would have seen was a bar full of locals, and one sole white man bouncing around, slapping his feet, screaming 'ARGH' and flinging kava anywhere...they probably would have also wondered why their country didn't have tougher immigration control. 

(on another note, this is actually the third time I've been attacked by ants this year. First time. Second time. I am going to try and make 2019 a year free of ant attacks...that's my only goal for 2019). 

GAME STUFF

​Gaming has had to take a back seat while I focus on other things like my job, settling in, and fending off ant attacks. But I usually get to spend an hour or two each day working on the project, and I'm happy to say that even though I can't work on it like I once did, I am still moving forward. 

Some of the biggest changes since I last wrote are that:

1) I've put publishers on hold - When I first started contacting publishers, I had a demo of 8 playable levels. Even though they have liked what they've played, most want to see a closer to finished product before they go ahead with anything. So currently, my goal is to make all 20+ levels playable before I contact publishers again. So far, I've developed the game to about level 15.

sourced from: http://www.vitamin-ha.com/funny-music-14-pics/funny-music-02/

2) The game's music is on point - the music has now been integrated into the game, and it blows my mind. Andrea and Blake Matthew (the musicians) couldn't have done a better job. ​

​3) There's a new henchman - I would introduce you, but I think it's better that I leave that surprise for the game 🙂 All I can say is that he is a game changer...literally.

​It has been interesting transitioning from a period where this game was my life, to a period where this game is only a part of my life...I think it has been healthy for me. Even though it has definitely delayed the game's release, it has been good for my perspective. 

I am also infinitely glad that I haven't given up (and have no plans to). I know a lot of people are counting on this game being released (which is a big motivator to keep on working on this project), but perhaps the biggest reason why I haven't given up on this project is that - despite the challenges - working on it is a process that brings me a lot of joy. I hope this project can do the same for others one day. 

​Until then, I better get back to it, and will keep you updated with any big updates 🙂

Cheers guys, 
Blake