Episode 2 Progress Update

If you follow my projects more generally (and not just Shape Shift Shawn), you'll know that I just released MonCon last month, a full-length RPG that took roughly six years to complete. Needless to say, pushing that gigantic game across the finish line left me feeling more than a little drained. Further, game development remains a side hobby for me, and despite the modest success of past games on Steam, I haven't been able to set aside any additional time to develop games.

Shape Shift Shawn gave me an opportunity to step away from MonCon and work on something new during the COVID lockdowns. It's been a tremendously fulfilling project thus far, allowing me to draw deeply from my childhood memories of favorite games and imaginary superpowers. So I fully intend to complete the trilogy of episodes, but between real-life commitments and feeling like I need to take some personal time off, I'll be pushing the remaining two episodes to completion at my own pace.

Therefore, I no longer anticipate Episode 2 will be finished this year.

But as for that progress update on Episode 2: six of the eighteen level maps have been grayboxed (i.e. playable with no graphics). One level graphics template has been fully completed, and several new enemies have been fully modeled and animated. The soundtrack is the only portion of the game that's fully complete (already recorded by Exploding Sky, the funk/jazz fusion band who handled Episode 1). So there's still a lot to do, but I am making time every week to push it along.

I know there are a few of you who've enjoyed Episode 1 and given me a mix of positive and constructive feedback, which I'm thankful for. Rest assured that I haven't forgotten about this series. It'll get done when it gets done. :)

Take care!

• Elliott