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Steam News28 December 20257mo ago

Development Update: Progress in 2025

Where Are You? – Development Update: 2025 Progress 2025 is almost over, and Wo Bist Du? is doing well! As usual, the last 20% of development seem to take 80% of the time.

In this update7

Full notes

Full Wo Bist Du? update

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What changed

0 fixes3 additions8 changes0 removals
  • Gameplay
  • UI and audio
  • Performance
  • Compatibility
changedWhere Are You? – Development Update: 2025 ProgressAs usual, the last 20% of development seem to take 80% of the time. I really hoped this rule would make an exception for once. That said, the technical foundation of the game is finished, and the original vision has not changed.
changedGameplay & SystemsEverything is implemented – crazy!
changedGameplay & SystemsI had to rework the combat system once more, mainly because the skills didn’t behave the way I wanted them to. One of the more interesting challenges was the design and implementation of the sonar system for Chapter 4, which is still being fine-tuned.
changedGameplay & SystemsThe language-switching system is also ready and just waiting for the final revision of Chapter 1. This means: you’ll soon be able to play Chapter 1 in English.
addedStory & ChaptersAll chapters are now available to my playtesters. Some of them have already completed the entire game – thank you so much for that!
addedStory & ChaptersI wasn’t sure for a long time whether Alice’s story would really work all the way to the end. After extensive testing, I can now say: yes, it does. The story found an ending I didn’t fully expect myself.

Wo Bist Du? changes

changedAs usual, the last 20% of development seem to take 80% of the time. I really hoped this rule would make an exception for once. That said, the technical foundation of the game is finished, and the original vision has not changed.
changedEverything is implemented – crazy!
changedI had to rework the combat system once more, mainly because the skills didn’t behave the way I wanted them to. One of the more interesting challenges was the design and implementation of the sonar system for Chapter 4, which is still being fine-tuned.
changedThe language-switching system is also ready and just waiting for the final revision of Chapter 1. This means: you’ll soon be able to play Chapter 1 in English.
addedAll chapters are now available to my playtesters. Some of them have already completed the entire game – thank you so much for that!

Where Are You? – Development Update: 2025 Progress

2025 is almost over, and Wo Bist Du? is doing well!

As usual, the last 20% of development seem to take 80% of the time. I really hoped this rule would make an exception for once. That said, the technical foundation of the game is finished, and the original vision has not changed.

So, what happened this year?

Gameplay & Systems

Everything is implemented – crazy!

I had to rework the combat system once more, mainly because the skills didn’t behave the way I wanted them to. One of the more interesting challenges was the design and implementation of the sonar system for Chapter 4, which is still being fine-tuned.

The language-switching system is also ready and just waiting for the final revision of Chapter 1. This means: you’ll soon be able to play Chapter 1 in English.

Story & Chapters

All chapters are now available to my playtesters. Some of them have already completed the entire game – thank you so much for that!

I wasn’t sure for a long time whether Alice’s story would really work all the way to the end. After extensive testing, I can now say: yes, it does. The story found an ending I didn’t fully expect myself.

Chapter 4 was especially tricky. I wanted to create a desert that is neither boring nor annoying – which turned out to be harder than expected.

Technical Progress

Unfortunately, some performance issues showed up along the way. While fixing them, I also managed to cut level loading times in half.

Additionally, the Singleton pattern is now used consistently across the engine, which saves a large number of objects and frees up a lot of memory.

The NWJS → Steam pipeline is also fully set up. Windows 11 builds now take about one minute. For now, I’m focusing on delivering a solid Windows PC release first. Once that is in good shape, Mac and Linux will follow.

Changes in 2025

The weapon system inspired by Secret of Mana had to go. It was simply too much effort and would have been overkill. The combat system now leans more toward a Guild Wars -style approach.

The crafting system was also simplified, as this version fits the gameplay much better.

I still have countless ideas, but the scope is now in a really good place. This leaves enough time to properly polish what’s already there.

What’s Next?

  • Visual assets for Chapter 4

  • Chapter 1 in English (using the new language system)

  • Text revisions for Chapter 2

  • Character work

  • Playtesting and polishing

Thank you for wishlisting, playtesting, giving feedback, and sticking with the project. Have a great start into the new year – hopefully there will be more news soon. See you!

Source

Steam News / 28 December 2025

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