Writing Updates

I’m about four days away from sending the files for Part 4 to Hosted Games. Right now, it’s sitting at just over 1 million words (1,019,320, to be exact), and that’s not counting the code or updates I’ve made to earlier parts.

What am I doing right now?
I’m playing through the game on different paths, fixing grammar errors, and catching any obvious bugs. I’m also checking for continuity: making sure that choices, stats, and storylines stay consistent. Basically, I’m trying to break the game before you can, so the final release runs smoothly.

What happens next?
Once I submit the files, the production staff will send them to a copyeditor. That process can take several months. I’ve already done multiple editing passes myself, so I’m hoping it won’t be too long. Copyeditors follow strict standards: checking for Oxford commas, consistent tense, and grammatical accuracy. It’s slow, detailed work, but it ensures a clean final product.

What will I work on while Part 4 is in production?
I ran a Patreon poll to see what people wanted next. The clear favorite was the free update for Safe Haven, so that’s where I’ll start. I’m also continuing to work on Zombie Exodus: Stronghold.

Not many people voted for me to juggle two projects, but it’s necessary. If I delay Stronghold another six months, it’ll be over a year before publication, and I want it out next year. New games attract new players to the series, and Stronghold is shaping up to be something special.

It’s a bit more linear, as your character moves from point A to point B through interconnected zones while being chased by a zombie horde. It also introduces some new features (like visible stat changes in text, similar to Vampire: The Masquerade – Out for Blood). Your background heavily influences the story, and the core premise is something I haven’t seen done before.

As for the free update (currently called Part 4-2 until I think of a better name), the to-do list keeps growing. If there’s anything you’d like added or expanded in earlier parts, let me know in the comments.