Games by JimD Newsletter – The future of Safe Haven!

Welcome to my 59th newsletter! I’m not going to lie, August has been a rough month. My regular 9-to-5 job has been giving me more projects, so I have had to work overtime. I’m still making progress on Safe Haven, Part 4, but the schedule for my “day job” is grueling. Times like this happen once in a while. I don’t complain about them. These times sparks my interest in quitting my normal job and going full-time into writing. Even though sales of my games are doing well, and I am receiving great support from all of you on Patreon, I won’t be able to quit my job anytime soon. I enjoy my 9-to-5 job but would much rather write full-time. In time, I am sure I can make it happen.

This month, like always, I will provide updates on my games and info on upcoming releases. Let’s get started.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 3 & 4

Part 4 is currently at 144,000 words, around 14,000 words more this month. My goal is to hit 20,000 this month, which, given the increased workload of my regular job, is better than I could have expected.

A few important topics were raised, one on my Discord server and one in a Patreon-exclusive poll. If you’re not on my Discord, you should join. All patrons receive a special role providing access to special Patreon- only channels. One of the discussions occurred in my Question of the Week channel.

I'm working on coding a list of items you can take after a mission. Typically, I provide a longer choice with every item, and you can take a certain number based on your strength and storage. How do you like to see this list presented when the list of items is long?

Would you like it if I grouped similar items? For example, all cosmetic items, all weapons, consumables, etc.? You click on the category, and you then can choose from within that category?

Add an option to take multiple items at once, like 25 food instead of 5?

Just leave it the way it is?

Most people stated their support of adding options to select multiple options at once. Some people even said they disliked the current way of selecting scavenged items enough that they don’t enjoy replaying the game. Adding an option for multiple items will not be difficult to code. I will make every attempt to include this option in future parts, starting with Part 4. I may even go back and add this code to earlier parts.

The other possible mechanism is to categorize similar items and allow you to pick from the category first and then a smaller list of items. For example, you would see the following:

· Building materials and tools

· Clothing, uniforms, and armor

· Consumable items

· Equipment

· Weapons

After selecting a category, you will see a small list of those items from within the category.

I have two concerns with placing items in categories. First off, it’s more coding. Considerably more coding. It’s also extra clicks. In the current way of selecting items, you have to scroll through a long list. In the new way, you have to scroll through a shorter list, click to enter the list, and then select the item.

Which option do you like best? Keep it the old way, or add categories? Let me know in the comments.

The Future of Safe Haven

The other major topic stemmed from a poll on my Patreon. I gave some options for ending Zombie Exodus. Two choices took the most votes:

· Continue Safe Haven forever. I would read up to Part 10.

· End Safe Haven at Part 5 and start a new game that continues Safe Haven with the same characters but leaving Colorado and starting over.

While I was excited that people are so interested in continuing Safe Haven forever, I was also surprised that the most votes went to the second option, to end Safe Haven at Part 5 and start a new game with many of the same characters. This led to a discussion in the comments of the poll and on my Discord about the possible new game, its plot, and characters. After some discussion, the front runner is to end the game at Part 5, start a new game, move the main character to a different part of the United States, and introduce characters from both the original game and Safe Haven. That can mean a pretty incredible cast with people like Rachel, Jaime, Brody, and Madison being in the same story as Mindy, Candace, and Devlin.  I will allow you to import your character into this new game or start over with a new character. It’s a pretty incredible concept.

The future is not set in stone. Right now, this is the idea I am considering the most. It provides the most interesting story and brings back characters from the earlier game that were well-loved. With Part 4 still in early development, it will be a while until I need to make any decisions, but I will be sure to let you know my plan every step of the way.

Vampire: The Masquerade — Out for Blood

I don’t have much of an update on this game. Unfortunately, the True Faith patch is still in review at Paradox/WoD, and many of the main editors are on vacation. Since they are a European company, they enjoy much longer vacations than I am used to in America. I’m a bit jealous!

As soon as I learn any updates, I will let you all know.

Deadbury Academy

My partner has been making consistent progress on writing the main story. We are up to almost 200,000 words, but most of it is not coded. She continues to write as I handle Safe Haven. Since the main story of Deadbury has not been reached yet, it’s going to be a very long game with a great deal of focus on romantic options. I’m looking forward to a time when I can share a beta with you.

That’s all for this month. Until next time, stay safe, and thank you for your support!