New Beta Build Released! What's Next...
Added 2026-01-25 02:11:27 +0000 UTCLast night we released the Beta Build featuring Rowan's Chapter 1! We're super excited to get the new chapter into our Beta Testers' hands, and can't wait to hear their feedback. If you're in the Beta Tester tier and are as excited as we are, here's a reminder to download the new build here and let us know what you think!
With the Beta out now, what's next? I have a few remaining assets that I need to color, and then I'll do one last editing pass to address any issues or bugs our Beta Testers encounter. Then it will be ready for Early Access for the rest of our Patrons to play! And after that, it's onto Rowan's Chapter 2, which Little Librarian is already well underway writing.
Who likes content stats? (I do!)
You may recall that we previously mentioned the chapter comes in at around 34k words (not including the existing Chapter 1 framework). With the art now fleshed out, we've added a whopping 16 scenes and 22 frames. For context, Changeling Tale's first chapter previously had 13 scenes and 31 frames total. So Rowan's introduction almost doubles the amount of art in Chapter 1.
Neat!
There's also 6 new settings, 2 new setting alternates for different times of day, and of course Rowan's sprite set of 2 outfits and 28 expressions. Last but not least, our composer CheasyDino created 3 new songs for Rowan's chapter! Two are still WIP, he tells me, so we're not quite ready to officially add them to the soundtrack. They sure sound polished to me, though. They're in the Beta Build, so let us know if you agree!
That's enough numbers for now, but one more number-related reminder: when Rowan's Chapter 1 releases into Early Access, the cost of the Player tier will increase from $3 to $5 per month. Existing Player tier Patrons will be grandfathered in at the lower price, so those of you who are free members may wish to join the Player tier soon before the change goes into effect. Just a heads up!
We remain incredibly grateful to all of you who have continued to support our game since release and enabled us to bring you this new story line that is just beginning. Thank you all so much, and looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
Comments
Careful not to spoil too much for folks who haven't played it yet! Yes, we're not rushing the story line and letting the transformation play out across multiple chapters. Thanks for the feedback!
Little Napoleon
2026-01-27 14:15:15 +0000 UTCThe reason I kind of figured out Effie's route is near the beginning where it was important to either choose to interact with Jesse or not to unlock Rowan, where originally it did not matter as much.
Brian Stuckert
2026-01-27 01:59:17 +0000 UTCPlayed the Beta build of Rowan's route and it is pretty good so far. The end of chapter one is a bit of a surprise and a little disappointing with no changes with gender nor creature. Guess you guys want to take it slow and will be a while until at least chapter 2 of Rowan's route will be available. Personally, I am hoping some other character/romance routes will become available in the future, especially Effie's. Speaking of Effie, I think I have an idea where her route/choice might start at. I think it is one of the choices after the main character leaves church the first time. But until then, none of the choices lead anywhere. My guess the one to Effie and others is being honest. To me she seems like an interesting and mysterious character and can't wait to at least see her path. You guys keep up with the excellent work!
Brian Stuckert
2026-01-27 01:55:49 +0000 UTCExciting!
Lauren Rivers
2026-01-25 20:28:39 +0000 UTCThe Anniversary Update was our effort to go back and bring the rest of the early chapters up to par with later versions, which took about a year of dev time! Of course we'd love to go back and add even more, but at some point we had to switch gears back to adding new characters and stories. Otherwise we'd have had to wait even longer for Rowan's debut!
Little Napoleon
2026-01-25 19:48:45 +0000 UTCNoticing that the stories have been getting progressively longer with each character, has there been any consideration to adding anything to previous versions?
Rey Fox
2026-01-25 05:04:12 +0000 UTC
