December 30 Update
Added 2018-12-30 19:00:12 +0000 UTCAs I type this, it's dark and quiet. The final days of 2018 are winding down. This will be the first half of my year-in-review, looking back in 2018 so that my first post of 2019 can spend more time looking forward.
Today I officially concluded my involvement with Hreinn Games. This has been a major part of my development time over the past three years, finishing one game and launching another one, so it's reasonable for patrons to ask what will replace that time in my schedule. In the short term, it will be more novels. There are no immediate plans to launch another game project, but I'll keep you updated on my thinking and gather feedback once we're into 2019.
I went back to check my review posts from last year and was surprised to see how much I would have typed some of the same things. Like 2017, in 2018 I had a good year by objective metrics but struggled when it came to subjective issues.
Quick TLS Update
Though I've hit my general goals for progress, I've been jumping in between synod updates and 0.41.0 content. That means they will probably need to be bundled into the same update, which might take a little longer than usual.
Steam update is still planned for when it can be worked in, barring potential changes. Sorry if people were hoping otherwise.
Treading Water
This was a difficult year for Patreon. I had some of my strongest months of new patron growth ever, only for them to be entirely wiped out by Patreon changing its payment processing. We lost some long term patrons to the banking system, which is sad.
Toward the end of the year, we had a couple dozen people leave due to Patreon getting into controversial issues again. Enough of those people messaged me saying that they'd still like to follow the project that I've actually considered setting up a secondary site. I wouldn't be able to update it as frequently as Patreon, but it might be a good alternative for those who want it. Not sure which one to use and I intend to put off this decision until I've made more creative progress.
Looking at exit surveys, people stating that their financial situation changed negatively are up over 50% compared to the last two years. Looks like this is a rough economy. Thank you again for everyone who can afford to support me, and I work as hard as I can to deserve that support.
Creativity Struggles
I'm essentially incapable of not making things, but I struggled a lot throughout this year. For example, I came up with several ideals for short Ouroboros-style projects and just didn't have the heart to put work into them.
This was the first year since starting my Patreon that I seriously considered finishing TLS and all the projects I've promised, then closing my Patreon and starting over with something else. While this is extremely unlikely to happen, it's not a pleasant headspace. Stepping back and being objective, while I think a degree of my cynicism is justified, I also need to be careful to keep perspective.
In any case, I very much meant what I said earlier in the month about appreciating all of you. Ignoring money entirely, I value this Patreon for all of you who make it what it is. That's something I never want to leave behind, regardless of where I go in the future.
Stability
Thanks to my work on a variety of things this year, however, I'm in a much stronger position overall. To put things in RPG terms, it was a year of sidequesting: I'm now loaded up with extra items and neat gear. Some of it may not be necessary and some of those items may sit in my inventory forever, but if I get into a nasty situation or come across a really difficult challenge, I'll be glad I have them.
Of course, since this is real life, I hope the game is unbalanced and I don't have any trouble. XP But with the instability of funding platforms and some other serious issues this year, I feel like my choice to diversify and make myself more shock-resistant was a good one.
2019 will be an interesting experiment, a test of a number of different things. Hopefully at the end of the year I can report that it went well and I've built a strong foundation from which I can build to bigger things.
I'll begin 2019 with the formal year-in-review post, which will outline what you can expect. There are actually several things I've been holding back that you'll be able to play soon and some interesting issues to discuss, so please look forward to them!
Comments
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it once it's ready!
Sierra Lee
2019-01-04 19:45:49 +0000 UTCSorry to hear of your departure from Hreinn games. Your plans for 2019 sound exciting. Don't Save the Princess looks like a lot of fun.
Dream Fractal
2019-01-04 18:04:17 +0000 UTCNormally I'd prefer a comment here, but this far after the update, an external document might be better. Thanks for your work!
Sierra Lee
2019-01-04 15:15:47 +0000 UTCI really appreciate your thoughts on the section overall! A few are already modified (like the Religion score), but you also provided some completely new observations. Esmera and Kerannii are scheduled for some tweaks, but I'm afraid I haven't been able to get into that yet.
Sierra Lee
2019-01-04 15:14:50 +0000 UTChappy new year, i have a comment on second half of the synod and some thing i found working for the wiki, it's roughly a 900 word long, can post here, or you prefer a external document?
Fulminato
2019-01-03 23:45:52 +0000 UTC> I expected to get a lot more feedback on this subject, actually, so I'm a bit uncertain, but there are a few things I definitely still intend to do. Well, I think feedback on actual balance is tricky in this section because most of us don't have the big picture - i.e. variables. Looking at the guide on the first half of the council, I can say that the optimal Religion score of 25 felt to be reached rather easily, I wouldn't even have needed to last-minute invest in Helvanna Lustlord Temples (+5 Religion). I reached the thresholds for Economy and Social as well, only by a slight margin though and on a strongly optimized save, so I guess they're okay as they are. I _think_ I got optimal outcomes on all votes except Tak'Kan support and the final day issues, can't be sure about anything in the second half though as there's no guide for it yet. The last day was a big mess really; I had 4 Sarai influence left (without getting extra points for Sarai accepting restrictions), and the results mostly sounded underwhelming, especially Eustrin which I thought I had concentrated most of my efforts on. I suspect that a given ally might provide a higher support score on some issues than others depending on their expertise, and that also some issues need higher support scores for an optimal outcome than others, so that I could have got better results by swapping certain characters (for example Megan-MercantileIssues and Herin-Ardford or vice versa), but again, these are only assumptions. Finally, the Esmera deal seems to have an impact on many of the votes, and with her probably not working properly during the Unpepole vote, I guess I wasn't meant to be as successful as I was at least in the second half of the council. (And if this is the case, that really puts all the 'I got optimal outcomes on pretty much everything' comments into perspective!)
onepot
2019-01-03 08:17:07 +0000 UTCNo worries, I know people are busy with the new year and everything. Yes, the balance of some votes and issues will be changing. I expected to get a lot more feedback on this subject, actually, so I'm a bit uncertain, but there are a few things I definitely still intend to do. I think you'd want to wait to replay until 0.41.0, because you can also see more of the impacts then. Any other site I used would be purely secondary, since you're correct that many people simply won't move to another service. Working with people watching and actively commenting sounds like a nightmare to me, so I don't think I could ever do Twitch, sorry. I'm not sure what rewards I could offer for the $25 tier, honestly. The $50 tier is already just there for people who want to be generous. Thank you for the kind words at the end! I look forward to bringing you all a bunch of fun things this year. ^-^
Sierra Lee
2019-01-02 21:23:58 +0000 UTCApologies for responding to this on the wrong side of the New Year, but I needed a few days to think some things over. I can understand that stepping away from a long term relationship like Hreinn Games can be difficult, regardless of how amicable the separation may have been. 3 years is a long time! Looking forward to what else you put out with the additional time this freed up, but don't be afraid to take a little 'you' time if you need it. What little you have said about the next TLS update is very appealing. In regards to the Synod updates: Will the balance of the votes/issues be changing between 0.40.5 and 0.41.0? I ask because I'm about to replay from the Ardford Summit to improve my Gwanfall results and want to know if I should wait until the next update. Patreon has its problems, which I wont elaborate on, but its greatest strength is the convenience it gives patrons. Any alternate site that needs to convert money to another currency or has other hoops to jump through it going to cause ruinous attrition. There will always be a core group of supporters that will find a way, and will even mail their contribution physically if you ask, but many will likely stop. For alternate sources; have you considered Twitch? It is far from ideal on MANY levels, but if you're willing to stream parts development process (and enough people watch it) it could supplement your income and provide an alternative for those who dislike Patreon. Although, Twitch may not be better in that regard. Might be viable with that extra time you have. Creativity struggles suck. Unfortunately they're often part of the process. I can understand wanting to step away after finishing everything you're currently working on. It is easy to get stuck into a 'rut' with certain kinds of content/expectations, and a fresh slate looks more and more appealing. Forcing yourself one way or another rarely helps in the long run and sometimes the line between cynicism and pragmatism doesn't exist. The only advice I can give is be honest with yourself and others! Your RPG metaphor makes sense. Side-quests are rarely glamorous but they pad out the play-time and let us crush the endgame. They also can be enjoyable, in a mindless grind-y sort of way. Just remember not to be afraid to speak up if things get rough. You never know what help is available unless you ask. For example: Have you considered adding a tier between $10 and $50? The large jump between these two is hard to justify regardless of what the rewards are, and the disparity in the number of patrons between the two tiers makes me think I'm not alone. I just want to end by saying that I very much enjoy your content and consider every penny well spent (and then some)! I may have been led to your work due to searching for smutty games, but I can honestly say that the smut factor is the least important part of what makes me keep coming back. Your characters and worlds have a way of hooking me. This applies to more than just TLS, both DOW and Crimson Grey are excellent in their own ways. You're good at subverting expectations and typical tropes. Here's to another year!
Trevor
2019-01-02 09:46:17 +0000 UTCThank you for your support and encouragement! I will appreciate your review on DoW when you have the time, but I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it as well. ^-^ I'd like to clarify that I've NEVER considered ending TLS prematurely. It's a story that matters to me and I want to do it right, no matter what happens. Everything I have made a promise to finish, I intend to conclude to the best of my ability. Haha, Sanderson seems like a good guy, but I think he'd have a problem with the content of my work.
Sierra Lee
2019-01-01 15:19:47 +0000 UTCSierra I would first and foremost like to echo the sentiment that many of us are here for you, not Patreon, I and many others would gladly move our support to any platform you deem suitable. I never have and almost certainly never will support anyone else on this platform, I Kickstarted a few games a while back but when it comes to games like this and this platform the thought hadn't crossed my mind until I had the luck to stumble upon TLS through playing the opening bit of NN. Your departure from Hreinn is likely a good thing if on any level it helps alleviate the stress you have mentioned, I just hope you and Nomo parted amicably and people aren't too upset in relation to the three month period it took to announce the change. Getting back to what most of us are here for in my case TLS will likely remain my favorite work of art, which I believe should remain as a ktema eis aei or a possession for all time. Far from a formulaic piece of escapism that offers little beyond a momentary respite from the drudgery of real life your work is thought provoking and engaging to play through repeatedly. With layers that are strategic, political, and literary the game demonstrates the way in which this hybrid form of media can produce a result greater than the sum of its parts. And though I haven't submitted a steam review for it yet I appreciate Wings as well, the pursuit of truth against an authority which prefers a comfortable lie is a very familiar theme. Overall it isn't hard to see why you inspire admiration such as Lamsey's playtesting, Fulminato's management of the wiki, and Bugreporting's art which are important aspects of what altogether makes this community exceptional and your games even better. That's why its disconcerting to read even a momentary consideration of a premature conclusion to your work as a developer, obviously you owe us nothing and such a conclusion would certainly be better than the outright abandonment that is your right. It would be among the greatest disappointments of my life either way, however, and I would much prefer for you to simply take a break however long you need to if you are facing burnout. Though the thought alone is painful I don't blame you if you at some point deem these options nonviable for financial or other reasons, you have already given us so much more than we are entitled to. For a completely off the wall fourth option, referring back to our short discussion of Robert Jordan's work, you could hand it off to Brandon Sanderson and let him finish it. You almost definitely no relationship with Sanderson and he's an author not a developer so the suggestion is largely a joke, and ultimately I feel only you could give the game the conclusion it deserves. Delegating some of the development might be something close to this that actually makes some sense, but again with the trouble associated with patreon I have no expectation of that being financially viable.
Grey Wolf
2019-01-01 06:48:10 +0000 UTCGlad to hear!
Sierra Lee
2019-01-01 06:12:49 +0000 UTCWiki is always open on the screen! :) Found it - thought I'd spoken to everyone three times looking for it, but not the blood lord's guard, apparently. Not a bug!
2019-01-01 03:07:19 +0000 UTCThanks, glad to hear you enjoy the game! Unfortunately, it's hard to answer your question 100% for certain. You do need to find an event to advance the day, and I believe there are no more bugs that make it possible to get stuck, but I could be wrong. I suggest checking the wiki or asking other players and seeing if there are any events listed that you haven't seen yet.
Sierra Lee
2019-01-01 02:56:01 +0000 UTCWhoops! First comment. SL, love this game! I'm playing through again, and am stuck on Yarra's route in chapter 2. I finished working for the empress in the caves and it brought me back to my room at night, and I can't advance to the next day to finish the route. I click on the bed to rest, but nothing triggers, and I think I've done all the side quests that might otherwise advance time. Am I missing something?
2019-01-01 00:16:39 +0000 UTCSL
2019-01-01 00:14:32 +0000 UTCThank you for your support! ^-^
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 21:06:35 +0000 UTCHmm, I think that list covers it. I wasn't saying I accomplished nothing this past year, and I'm happy to have completed those projects. I've just had a rough time of things overall. Anyway, thank you for your support!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 21:05:59 +0000 UTCThank you very much for your support and encouragement!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 21:03:24 +0000 UTCMeant to respond to this yesterday, but I'm of mixed feelings about the Hreinn thing. I found out about your solo work through Hreinn and thus like them, but like others I feel like your writing chops were kind wasted on KoD. On the other hand I never did end up resubbing to them like many others after my surgery in September so I apparently didn't like KoD that much. I hope you find the next year treating you better than you feel this one did, because I gotta say, if I could do an eighth of your creative output I'd feel like a god damned rockstar. Love your work Sierra and I want you to feel more proud of how amazing you are. ^.^
Troqu
2018-12-31 19:46:15 +0000 UTCLeaving Hreinn was probably a hard decision to make, but it may have been the right one indeed. As much as Kingdom of Deception was full of good ideas (for example, it has complex, likeable _male_ characters), the plot and gameplay were constantly banging their heads against the necessity of including a certain number of fetishes in each update, as well as fighting usually immersion-breaking character design ("Sabia, that is no armor you are wearing. That's a purple sweater. One vacuum-sealed around your breasts apparently."). You said you've struggled this year, but didn't you release, in top of TLS, one RPG, one VN and two books? A lack of motivation and energy after that much work sounds like the premise of a burn-out. Please keep care of yourself, and maybe take some sort of break (I can't picture you doing nothing at all). Good luck for the future.
Rachnera
2018-12-31 17:18:21 +0000 UTCSorry to hear that things have been rough this year, but it has been a rough year now that I look back on it not with just Patreon but even life. And while it a bit sad to hear Hreinn Games I can understand that choice based on you delivered a finished product but felt you had a hard time with the second one you were trying to make. Anyway I hope to continue to see you develop more games not because I want to see more of your work but I believe you have a great talent in making a game with a story with sexual elements that work with it. And I could ramble on but I just want to say it been a interesting year following you and I hope to do so for many more. I hope you have a happy new year!
Bladestorm
2018-12-31 17:03:13 +0000 UTCThank you for the words of support! I've looked into Ko-fi before, but since PayPal has been unkind to me in the past, I'm leery of using anything that relies too heavily on them.
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 15:12:37 +0000 UTCI'm glad you've enjoyed what I created this year, it was just rough and I know I could have done better.
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 15:11:41 +0000 UTCI just wanted to inform you that your content and work is satisfactory and I would say that it is worth far more than the amount I pay for it. RE Patreon: I don't know how much you are attached to patreon supporter tiers, but I would be very happy paying for you on Ko-fi as an alternative to patreon. I know a few artists that use this site for support and the impression I have is much better than patreon since the only drain on the donations is paypal's processing fee. I would be the first to divert my $10 to support you paying the tiny $6 a month fee to have recurring donations. (NOTE: I do not care about the content being posted there since of course, adult content is not allowed. However I wouldn't mind supporting your other pseudonym, which would be allowed.) I wish you good luck this coming year.
Dmitry F
2018-12-31 05:54:47 +0000 UTCDamn, you're hard on yourself. From my simple standpoint as a guy who sends you a bit of money and gets back games, books, and interesting discussion, I think you've delivered very well all year. If I may make a (possibly unwelcome) unsolicited observation: Some of the things you say remind me of the sorts of moods that people get in when they've become entangled with toxic personalities. I hope you are as objective and diligent about your own happiness as you are when considering your obligations to fans and patrons.
Dubsington
2018-12-31 04:51:08 +0000 UTCI do my best to be transparent about everything! Thank you for your ongoing support!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 04:35:57 +0000 UTCThank you for your support! Please look forward to a new novel pretty soon, and if all goes well, a second writing project before January is done. Hopefully on top of a TLS update and another release. ^-^
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 04:35:25 +0000 UTCHey Sierra, I've followed fairly decent number projects in my time, through Kickstarter for the most part, but you have in common with the best of those is the constant update in information. Even if it's telling us about your doubts and concerns, I would like you to know it's appreciated! Being informed of a delay is better than being left in the dark for long stretches! Your work has always been consistent and your commitment to keeping us appraised should be commended. If you change platforms, you can certainly be sure I am one who will follow. Have an excellent new years!
Tempest
2018-12-31 01:23:55 +0000 UTCI confess, I find myself slightly glad to hear of your departure from Hrienn. While the work it produced was undeniably quality in a technical sense, I've always felt it was somewhat a waste of your unique perspective to apply it to such... conventional content. And if that also means more writing, I verily look forward to it! After the last few, I'm definitely willing to be an early reader for any further writing projects. As for the other things... Quite sorry to hear that this year has been such a pain with Patreon. Heh, given the nastiness 2018 has brought for myself and many people I know, I've taken to thinking of it as the year from hell, so here's hoping that its passing takes some of those issues away with it. I myself seem to have completely missed the latest round of issues with them, but honestly, as long as supporting you on here doesn't become a significant hardship, I'll be sticking around, for whatever that's worth. Looking forward to the near year, and here's hoping the winds of change are blowing in a good way for it.
Lord Forte
2018-12-31 00:42:43 +0000 UTCThis is a common request, but it hasn't happened yet because I'm concerned it might take time away from development, sorry.
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:40:38 +0000 UTCI appreciate it! I will definitely let people here know if such a thing happens, and I'd also appreciate notes if anyone feels that another platform has become more viable. Right now the alternatives mostly seem young and untested.
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:40:10 +0000 UTCThank you!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:36:22 +0000 UTCThanks, I wish the same for you and everyone reading!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:36:09 +0000 UTC^-^
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:35:58 +0000 UTC^-^
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:35:53 +0000 UTCI very much appreciate your support!
Sierra Lee
2018-12-31 00:35:43 +0000 UTCWill you be setting up your own Discord server?
Pally Ganker
2018-12-30 22:19:37 +0000 UTCDon't take this the wrong way. I know that protest is important if one wants to foment change. But just like people blocking a highway with their initiative, you aren't hurting the villains of your story; you are hurting the people you want to champion. Out of your monthly contribution, difference of your tithe to Patreon is much less significant to the corporate overlords than the principal amount that goes to our artists.
Quiet Stranger
2018-12-30 21:04:45 +0000 UTCHey Sierra, if you get a replacement for Patreon lined up, let us know. I'm ready to jump ship on them, but sticking around for now just to support a few people.
2018-12-30 21:04:32 +0000 UTCIt seems to be a season for that. Let's hope it doesn't darken your doorstep for long...
Quiet Stranger
2018-12-30 20:50:27 +0000 UTCI was one of those who left due to the controversy and I want to apologize to you because none of it is your fault. I realize that there aren't exactly a lot of alternatives right now, but hopefully that will change. I look forward to supporting you again in the future - just not on a platform that makes up the rules as it goes along and then lies about it.
Ver Greeneyes
2018-12-30 20:40:57 +0000 UTCFor what it's worth I love your work and involvement and engagement with us! I certainly lot hope to never lose a creator such as yourself but life is what it is. Do what's good for you, Sierra! <3
ThatPatronDude
2018-12-30 20:12:53 +0000 UTCHappy new year dear SL! Wish you and yours to be healthy, happy with each other, content with work and hungry for life.
Dark Art
2018-12-30 19:39:17 +0000 UTC<3
Avera
2018-12-30 19:35:21 +0000 UTCI don't speak english well enough to express how much I hope things will turn out great for you, so I'll just say I wish you good luck in all your efforts. And for what is worth, I think splitting from Hreinn Games could end up being the right move for both parties: you will have more time for your projects, and they will be able to focus on more down-to-earth, crowdpleasing scenes (and I know I, for one, will be very crowdpleased with some more straightforward Sabia submission).
Hund
2018-12-30 19:31:53 +0000 UTC<3
Wrath
2018-12-30 19:29:55 +0000 UTCHope the family issue is resolved positively for all involved and im still going to support you as much as my financial situation allows. Dunno about HG anymore though as it was you and your skills that drew me in, will see how they do without you.
Argenten
2018-12-30 19:14:53 +0000 UTCPost is early so that I can step away to deal with a family issue. Sorry if I don't respond to messages or emails right away.
Sierra Lee
2018-12-30 19:00:49 +0000 UTC
