Welcome to 2023 everyone! Our foray into the new year brings us that much closer to the launch of our game. Let's get to the big news first, some important dates to keep in mind. 

Our demo launches on February 14th, 2023. This would be version 3.0 which clocks in at around 4 hours of playtime, an increase of 2 hours over our last version. New features include full access to the in-game glossary and CG Gallery, which unlock their respective content through gameplay. There are a total of 24 glossary terms to unlock, and 6 CGs (with variations).

Here's a simple screenshot that shows you an unlock notification. These typically happen in between scenes.  

To recap, veterans who played through the old versions can skip straight to the new content if they wish with the scene selection feature. However, I would recommend starting a new game, as there is new content and unlocks present. 

The next important date is February 28th, 2023, the launch of our Kickstarter. This is a crowdfunding campaign that aims to bring our game to the next level. Based on our pre-following count of 112, (thank you!) we are well on our way toward achieving our goals! Beating a dead horse here, but please follow our pre-campaign page if you haven't already. This link will automatically update to our campaign page once we launch and Kickstarter will send you a notification email (assuming you followed the campaign). If you're an early bird, you can grab discounts for certain tiers, so don't delay! Here are some highlights of our campaign to give you a preview.

• You can support us with as little as $1. This gets you backer updates. Nearly all updates on the game will be private/exclusive to backers and those in our discord (see below)
• An exclusive discord invite (to our channel itself) is bundled in with your pledge of a game key. Our discord will be private only to backers until our full game launch in the future. 
• Physical merch: Charms/Keychains available as add-ons to any tier. Currently available characters are Siona and Alphi. More will unlock with social media milestones. 
• Look forward to additional cool perks with higher tiers. 

Timeline from now until launch.

I mentioned that December was crunch time and while true, we're now entering the next phase: Do nothing but program and polish until completion. Of course, I say that, but real life tends to get in the way, more often than not. Here's the current status of things. I hope to get the demo fully completed from start to finish by January 31st. The following list includes my major workflow and areas of focus to get the demo complete.

• Insight events need a tweak, Lyca/Ferine from Chapter 2, and also the next event in chapter 3. Fortunately, there is a template to work from. 
• Removal of Ms.Crass question tree from early on in the game (programming hell). Will end up being a linear dialogue with the odd question or two. 
• Double-check on all sounds, voice lines, and music, primarily for new content. 
• Glossary is complete in function, but I need to insert all unlock points and prompts. CG Gallery as well. 
• The odd transition scene (mostly at night in Rayen's bedroom) needs to be completed. 
• Small adjustment to the save system, to display chapter and game time only. If I can also get time of save, it would be great but there are no promises there. 
• Basic QA, playing the game from start to finish, and correcting errors (mostly a February thing)

February will mostly be a marketing month, so look forward to some final voice actor reveals and other content posts on Twitter! I actually have a post to share with you guys around mid-January regarding my design processes for characters, specifically for Siona (but applies to everyone). There will be many custom character cameos up for grabs on Kickstarter as rewards. Essentially, you'll be able to work with me to implement a character in our game with your design specifications and aesthetics (with some restrictions). Ferine was one such character whom I worked with a community member to complete her design. 

More screenshots of upcoming content:

New glossary pages. A character usually has a witty line or remark to accompany the definition. While the demo only has 24 terms, this just is the tip of the iceberg of what is planned for the full game. Over 300 are planned, with backer perks being the ability to custom name them. One of the central themes of Zeta Wolf is its deep analysis of love and the pursuit of it (mostly from the male perspective, but in general). 

Ravia at the track field. 

Ravia Converse Event dialogue

January is also the month when trailer work begins! Basically, I'll be working with my collaborator to compile the trailer based on the ideas and assets I provide. The final result should be significantly more polished than my creation 3 years back (not one of my talents). Please look forward to the final result!

That's it for now everyone. Have to get back to work to meet deadlines! The next post here on itch (outside of the Siona design post) will likely coincide with the demo release, so on February 14th. 

Wish me luck on the final build (just need time really 😂), and thank you guys for all of your support!