Appreciation for my patrons

The reason STELLAR INCOGNITA exists as a game and a project is because I couldn't find the exact kind of game I wanted to play out of everything that was offered out there online. So I decided to make it myself. I had the means to make the images and I didn't think the writing would be hard as long as I stuck to the b-grade movie vibe I was imagining in my head. The only real obstacle was the actual game coding itself. I've never tried to code a game, but it was something I had to at least try to learn if STELLAR INCOGNITA was ever going to become a real thing. The multiple branch format was a deliberate choice to keep the game simple while I learned on the job.

Now after just over half a year, I've got a simple interactive visual novel in progress and I can see the end in sight sometime in 2024. I definitely achieved what I set out to achieve in making a game I wanted to play and enjoy while learning to be a (very) basic coder at the same time. Then I made a side-game (which I can also see the end for in 2024) and I'm in a development phase for a new fantasy game and there are a lot of new ideas tumbling around in my head, but the bones of what I want for the game are in place and it takes lessons from what I've learned so far with STELLAR INCOGNITA and 8 DAYS WITH THE DIVA. Whereas STELLAR INCOGNITA just goes off on wild tangents (which I enjoy), the newer game will be a more cohesive story, but the player will have a lot of freedom to experience the events from different angles and perspectives.

Anyway, earlier this year I put my work out there and looked to see if there was any support in the wide world for what I was creating. I wasn't expecting much, but I did have some modest dreams and goals. I haven't reached them, but I'm definitely on some kind of journey now, aren't I? Times are tough for a lot of us and that's why I'm grateful and really appreciate anybody that has ever given me a cent. Some have supported me from the first few months and that was a real morale booster to know that you are acknowledged in some way. Since then, it's interesting to see how patrons work. Some are unswerving like a rock in the ocean, some support on-and-off regularly and some donate a little and never again. Regardless how the support is given, I just want to say thank you to all that have done so.