Looking Ahead

Hello everyone 🦊,

It’s Florian here. As many of you know, our Kickstarter campaign didn’t reach its funding goal - and I won’t hide it, that felt like a punch to the gut. After seven years of pouring my heart, time and savings into this project, it was hard to accept that we came up short. But today, I want to share with you everything that’s happened since and why I’m more determined than ever to bring this world - and Me’s final journey - to life.

Reflecting on December: Defeat, Fuel and a Christmas Miracle

December was… intense. Rejections piled up - our second plan (a mentoring program) wasn’t awarded, and I felt truly defeated for the first time in years. I questioned everything: Was I failing because of money? Was I chasing a dream no one cared about?

Then, on Christmas Eve, we received the kind of news that reignites hope: Paws and Leaves: A Last Tale won Best Demo and Most Anticipated at the 2024 Nevermore Niche Awards. I can’t begin to describe how uplifting it was to realize that - even in dark times - there are people out there who believe in this story as much as I do.

That moment reminded me that failure isn’t the end. Like Me in the game, who faces death only to step into a new realm of possibility, our personal and creative journeys can transform at their lowest ebb.

What We’ve Been Up To: Workshops, World‑Building & New Mechanics

Since the Kickstarter ended, my days have been a mix of teaching, planning and quietly coding away at the next demo:

Workshops & Media Education

As you might know, grownarts isn’t just about making games. I spend much of my time running media‑competence workshops for kids and young adults - especially during school vacations here in Germany. January was filled with lesson plans, pitches, and logistics, which meant less time coding, but it’s a vital part of my mission: to inspire the next generation of digital storytellers.

World‑Building & Zen Mode

In quieter moments, I’ve returned to the game’s heart: its world. I’m thrilled with the early work on “Zen Mode”, our photo‑mode that lets you pause, sit back, and absorb the beauty of Me’s environment. I’ll never forget pausing mid‑build to snap a screenshot - I thought, “Wow, this really is coming together.”

New Me & Ani Models

We’ve re‑sculpted both protagonists, giving Me and Ani more expressive, nuanced models that better reflect their personalities and journey.

Mechanics for Ani

Inspired by Dragonriding in World of Warcraft, Ani’s flight now features a boost mechanic - dynamic, fluid, and a joy to pilot.

Season‑Change Overhaul

Another pass at our seasonal transition system has yielded major performance gains, making the game world feel alive without sacrificing framerate.

AI Animals & Flying Critters

We’re working on a new AI script to bring land and flying creatures to life. You won’t see these in the demo just yet - they’re our little secret, being fine‑tuned for the new build. Trust me, it’s something you’re going to love.

First Draft of Arachno

Last but not least, Arachno is taking shape in early prototype form. Seeing this character emerge has been a thrilling milestone.

Plan D: Kickstarter Relaunch in August 2025

Now, the big announcement: we’re gearing up for a second Kickstarter, targeting August 2025 - and we’re aiming to coincide with Gamescom 2025 (though, realistically, we’ll choose the most cost‑effective presence,