An Important Update

Hey Everyone!

Just thought I should put out a little update as to why I've been kind of quiet lately.. :/

Obviously I'm still working on the game.. It's just been really slow so I haven't had much to write about..

So the hand issue I mentioned in my last devlog is a little more serious then I thought.

The injury first reared it's head in the last few days as I pushed through the first half of the sketches for the chapter.. I started to have a little wrist pain and stiffness but it didn't seem too serious so I thought I would just work through it. I made sure to do the recommended carpel tunnel stretches for my wrist every day and that seemed to help a little. I was pretty happy with the quality of the work that I was putting out(Which is a rare feeling for me) so I didn't want to stop.. I worked through it for about a week until I was done ~115 sketches..

Pushing through the (super mild) wrist pain has turned out to be a pretty big mistake.. While working on the sketches tried to change the way that held my pen to reduce the strain on my wrist and be more mobile with my arm, which is what animators generally recommend.. It did help reduce wrist strain but then I started having pretty bad elbow and even shoulder pain. :[

I tried a bunch of different ways of angling my tablet and holding my pen, even taking a bunch of breaks between drawing sessions, nothing helped at this point..

So I finally took the L and decided I was going to take a break for the art aspect of Chapter 2 until I was healed up.. I assumed I'd be good after maybe a week of rest. (LOL) I took a few days off and then decided I would just work on the writing and programming aspects of the chapter. 

I got to work on the writing, typing exclusively with my left hand since my right hand still didn't feel great. It felt fine to start.. It wasn't until I was basically done writing the story that I started to have a little numbness in my left hand. I was almost done the writing but at this point I wasn't messing around with this wrist stuff. I had to shut it down. :[ 

At this point I realized that I basically couldn't do anything to work on the game. And that sucked.. I couldn't even use a mouse.

That was like 3 weeks ago.. I've been taking it day by day trying to figure out how to fix this. From the research I've done I seem to have a mix of carpel tunnel and tendonitis. Basically the only thing I can do is rest.. So that's what I've begrudgingly been doing. I've been taking it really easy on both of my hands. Like PAINFULLY easy. Like I haven't been able to do anything or else pain will flare up.

The good news is it does seem to be getting steadily better, but very slowly. There have been a few times where I felt like I was ready to get back to work and so I do.. But after working for a couple days each time I get that flaring feeling again and I know I have to stop or it'll get worse.

It's been a very confusing and agitating last few weeks. I'm forced to do the only thing I can do.. rest. I also do little arm stretch and exercise routines but I have to be soo careful not to do too much.. 

So yeah, that's where I'm at.. Just trying to get better so I can get back to work. I don't know how long until I'll be back full time. Hopefully soon. :>

Your support means the world to me right now.  :')

~ Ekull