Devlog May : We have to talk

This isn't going to be easy to talk about, but I needed to give you an update on the game's development.

It's simple: early access is a complete failure.

I can't attract an audience, nor a publisher. I've done everything I can; I've harassed everyone I could, flooded the platforms.

This isn't a devlog to complain, but the observation is simple.

The game isn't catching on, and for several reasons.

People find the project strange; where I've had the most visibility, people were initially intrigued by the project's graphics, but were immediately disappointed after learning it was an FPS.

I think many were expecting anything but a first-person shooter, a cozy walking sim, a simple exploration game. I still thought the survival and semi-open world aspects might be intriguing, but no.

In fact, the game also suffers from a lack of production value in this area. I was never able to secure the funding to offer more advanced gameplay for the survival and shooting aspects, and more elaborate 2D animation, and this flaw ruins the only strength that made the game appealing. I also think that's why the publishers don't even bother to reply; they don't understand why it's an FPS.

I managed to gain a huge following on Twitter, but I haven't been able to attract a player community. I absolutely have to rework the gameplay loop so that it aligns with what fascinates curious players.

So I had to make a choice.

Start a new iteration to make The Explorator a pure exploration game.

Don't worry, I'm not going to throw everything away !

I'm going to keep the entire universe, the characters, some levels, the survival system, and I'm going to transpose all of that into a new gameplay loop that will better suit the universe I'm building.

I'm currently developing this new gameplay and I hope to be able to present it to you in September.

Basically, I'm going to use jetpack mechanics to enhance it, and it will be used to explore abysses and caves.

We will have to collect the crystals while being careful not to get lost or hit the walls and obstacles. We will be able to recover various materials from the environment to improve our equipment.

It's going to be a more relaxing gameplay experience, with fewer goblins to kill and grenades to blow up.

The game will focus on exploration, with the abyss as the main level and an increased emphasis on verticality.

However, I want to keep The Explorator as a game that offers a challenge; the crystals will become increasingly difficult to collect, and the caves increasingly dangerous.

So, I have quite a bit of work ahead of me this summer.

• New gameplay loop

• New, redesigned levels

• Story changes

• Quest changes

My goal would be to pick up the story where we left off, with the discovery of the city, with four large open levels to explore and smaller levels, including the transition from the boat journey.

The future levels that I've been working on lately for chapter 2 will come a little later !

I'm also announcing that I'll be suspending sales of early access for this period of complete overhaul, to avoid people being confused by ending up with something completely different after purchase.

I'll keep you updated about this summer.

Thank you again for your trust. I hope you understand this direction I've chosen. Please feel free to share any comments or questions.

Syd