Saturday Update!

Hello again!

This week I have a few things to cover, some bad and some good. The anxiety/adrenaline was bad this week so bear with me 😂

I might as well get into the bad things first so we can end on a fun note:

The game's release remains in limbo:

Steam still has not approved my app. 9 days ago, they updated my Steamworks back end message to say:

'Your build/store page requires further review and will take some additional time beyond the normal 3-5 business days:

Automated tests failed, awaiting detailed report'

I've googled this message and the results are not great. Some people said that it's 'the worst message you can get'. 😞 One developer said that the message tends to result in 1-2 more weeks of review time. Another developer said that this message means that my app could be banned- their app was banned, although it was for crypto stuff.

I am still confident that my game abides by Steam's rules, but that doesn't mean I'm confident that it won't be banned. Unfair things happen all the time, and I wouldn't be surprised if my work would be judged differently because it has no appeal to straight men. That's how the world works sometimes.

If Steam bans my game, I will see if there is any appeal process.

Rest assured, the game will be released. Even if Steam bans it indefinitely and destroys my account [ who knows... ], the game will be released on itch.io. If itch bans me, I'll find a way to release it on my own website.

The release of the game is not up in the air- what is up in the air is the stability of my future business and ability to produce the next two YKMET games [ Lawrence and Ren in that order ]. I would still very much prefer that I be able to release YKMET:Strade on Steam, because it's the most reliable and well known online game hub, and it's a huge part of my business.

It's also the best environment for doing beta testing, so I will continue to hold out for a response from Steam before moving to a plan B.

I will hope for the best and continue to plan for the worst.

My Etsy store is closed until further notice:

In other news, Canada Post is likely returning to its previous strike, so I've closed my store.

I've learned my lesson and closed the store in advance to give time for my last packages to get out of the country before everything stops moving again. [ May 22nd is the big 'find out' day ]

It's the same strike that happened last year around xmas, the government forced it to pause so a solution could be reached, but a solution hasn't been reached. It's a shitshow tbh.

I don't know exactly what will happen or what the strike will look like, or if they might reach some solution at the last second- So I can't give anyone an estimate of any kind for when the store will be open again.

All I can say is that I will only reopen the store when I'm confident that I have access to regular mail service to get people's packages to them.

I will provide immediate news on both of these situations on my personal website which is not affiliated with Patreon [ dirtymurdergames.com ]

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That's the bad news section. Now we can have a little good news

I finished that TINR Strade pic:

I also worked a tiny bit on memelord mode. Truly not much, I've mostly just been struggling with the anxiety attack stuff. But I got a joke music loop done for an existing joke [ the art direction for the music was 'bad' so I was able to accomplish that LMAO ] and a bit of other really minor stuff.

I've been working with the plushie company:

The company I paid to manufacture Strade plushies has gotten back to me, and we've been in surprisingly quick communication now about the design. We've actually gone through 2 rough versions this week. [ ngl this is also a major source of anxiety for me, I am so worried about getting it right I could barf hahaaa ]

Before I start showing you pics, please be aware the colors are not final. I know the roughs have slenderman white skin fabric, I'm sure that's just what's cheap for them to make roughs with. I will not let them manufacture the final with marshmallow shade skin 😂

^ This is the first rough I was shown. I replied back to them quickly with several notes and adjustments to make. I told them to make the head smaller/less tall, to make his belly bigger, to change his pants and feet to appear more like pants tucked into boots, and several suggestions for his hair to make it less flat

^ This is rough #2 [ again, please don't worry about colors, this process is just about shapes. His hair won't be that light either ] I told them I was pleased with the changes. The head is an appropriate shape, the pants and feet are better, and they even sent a pic specifically of his belly to show the update:

[ I told them I was impressed and happy with this new design ]

I did continue to nitpick about his hair- this second version is a lot more acceptable but I am pushing for the best quality I can squeeze out of them. Hopefully they will break down and do what I ask 😂 I told them I was happy with the furry fabric though, I think that helps the look of the hair a lot.

[ it's more obvious on the back what's going on here: ]

The second version is at least acceptable, but I am being annoying and pushing for a look like my provided example. Maybe they'll tell me to get bent over that but 🤷‍♀️ gotta try

Aside from my final hair nitpicks, I believe our next step will be talking about colors, embroidery, and printing. I've sent them a face design I made this week to be embroidered but I also need to talk to them more about printing [ making sure he gets his tattoo, details on his green shirt, details on his belt, fabric printing for his stubble, etc ].

I am happy with this company in general though. They've been very responsive and pleasant to work with. I feel happy with the amount of creative control I'm getting with the design of the plush. I may end up having to make concessions on things like his hair, but ultimately I'm still glad I'm going this route.

As for everything else... I'm just going to hang on and keep surviving day to day.

Take care, and see you next week.