Merry Christmas

Hi everyone!

Today I'm posting this update with not much to show. I do have plans for the future (I know, I keep repeating myself) and was planning to not say anything because there's nothing much to talk about. Except for one thing.

When I started development back in 2015 I was alone. Once I was lucky enough to find Robert (John) and Aryn (Aryn) to play their respective roles I was mostly busy prototyping. I can't remember exactly how and when but I was contacted by someone who wanted to help play-test the game.

I value play testers a great deal, because they do things that most other gamers only do by accident. Finding ways to break the game, repeat that until they know how to and report. So, this guy's online handle was Sensi. He's from France and his English was terrible. However, he was one of those people that if you're lucky might meet once or twice in your life who are incredibly pure at heart. Kind and very hard working.

You see, Sensi had an ailment. Doctors didn't know what it was but it resulted in him having the most excruciating stomach pains. He would be fine most of the time but sometimes it would pop up. He'd be fine the next day. And he went off again, finding ways to break the game and report. He'd go through every new build from scratch to make sure everything was fine.

I felt we were getting to be close friends. I was very happy to have him be a part of the project. He couldn't work a normal job because of his condition but he was so happy to work with me and I was glad to have him do stuff. I think he really enjoyed it.

However, near the end of 2017 his stomach pains became more frequent and he started to come online less. He told me he was off to Paris to have doctors help him. Communications between us became less frequent. He would update me through E-mail.

And then he stopped replying. I don't know what happened and I don't think I want to know. What happened to him hit home because I already knew how the story would play out in the game. To this day I hold on to the idea that he will pop up one day and explain everything that has happened to him, with his quirky English and all.

To me he's still enjoying a spliff to ease his pain. He didn't chose the name Sensi for no reason. He will forever be a part of Team V and he will remain in the credits. He's done so much. So, very much to make this game as bug free as possible.

So, today I was remembering him and I felt the need to share his story with you all. There are so many things that happened during development and his was a really big one. So yeah, in the spirit of STARDROP and more importantly, of Sensi, please have a very Merry Christmas and make sure to let others know how much they mean to you. Even if that person is an online buddy. You never know what will happen or when.

I miss him very much and I honestly do hope he will pop up one day. He's an amazing person and I'm glad I have been able to have had him as a friend in my life. Nobody loves no one...

Thank you for reading and take care everyone. Have A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!