A look back on the week that was...

Current game word count: 38,713 (+ 0 since last devlog)

...I can explain! First off, this week's devlog is one day late, and for those who actually follow it, I'm sorry for that. BUT! I can explain that, too. :) Hear me out...!

So, last week I joined my first ever Game Jam. If you're unfamiliar with that, you basically have a limited amount of time given to you to make a game according to certain conditions. I joined Historically Accurate Game Jam 5, which tasked us with creating a game in just seven days (any genre/engine), but with one caveat; the game must be grounded in your country's history (Sweden, in my case).

I've wanted to join a Jam for a long time, but the thing is that it's very hard to fit into my schedule since I work full-time, have a family and also have, you know, a little game called Meanwhile in Riva to work on (which magically seems to get bigger each time I work on it, ain't that strange?). 

But, HAGJ5 popped up at a really great time, since it was during my Winter vacation and the amount of days given fit perfectly with how much free time I had left. It was a sign! And here we are. And so far, my game is doing better than I ever thought, currently sitting at #3 most rated out of 119 entries. That's insane!! I'm so happy about it, and I hope that as many as possible will enjoy it. :)

However, Riva hasn't been completely neglected. I might have written a grand total of 0 new words, but I've made small fixes and other things that are necessary, oh, and I implemented a gallery! So, yeah!

AND I ALMOST FORGOT!!

In a fantastically awesome surprise, Meanwhile in Riva was featured on VN Game Den's 10 Visual Novels Currently in Development to Keep on Your Radar list. I'm so honored and humbled by this, as it is the first time anything I've developed ends up on a list of any sort. So much love to VN Game Den for including me, and I hope I can live up to the expectations! :)

On the subject of milestones, here's another one:

Couldn't have done it without you, awesome people! <3

And doesn't Roos and Charles XII fit just right in with Meri, Len and Isola?
Everyone's welcome at The Belly, after all...

Man, writing all this down really made it hit home what a lovely week it's been. I never thought anyone would view my games, let alone play them and, you know, like them. My default is always that I do it because I love it and that's that, I never expect others to do so, too, even though I of course want it to be that way. And this week has been such a booster in that regard.

I know some of you expected the fifth and final main character bio today, but sorry Ice Queen, you'll have to wait until next week.

...I had that coming, I guess.

Have an awesome week, everyone! <3

/Tymedust