Update 11.26.24

Hi, everyone

First, I want to sincerely apologize for the recent silence on my part. I realize this isn't the first time I've lapsed in communication, and I understand that this erodes the trust and goodwill you've placed in me. I take full responsibility for these lapses and know that I can't let this become a recurring pattern.

Over the past few months, I've been dealing with severe burnout and depression — a result of lifelong struggles with work-life balance, and just... balance in general. Before this lapse in communication, I was pushing myself to work 16 to 20 hours a day, and eventually, I just shut down.

The intense workload and burnout have also affected my physical health. Prior to becoming a full-time game developer, I always had high-intensity, physical jobs that kept me on my feet. Adjusting to sitting in front of a computer all day has been more challenging than I anticipated. Moving forward, I'll be making some life changes to protect my physical well-being.

I know that my absence has caused significant concern and frustration for both the community and team members, and I should have been transparent about what was happening.

What Happened

• Recurring Communication Lapses: I acknowledge that I've fallen silent before, and I understand the impact this has on your trust.

• Severe Burnout: My intense work schedule led to burnout and depression, making it difficult for me to continue working effectively or maintain communication.

• Impact on Physical Health: The shift from active jobs to a sedentary work style affected my physical well-being more than I expected. This also contributed to depression and anxiety.

• Work-Life Struggles: I've long struggled with balancing my passion for work/projects with personal well-being, which contributed to the situation.

Moving Forward

• Recommitment to Consistent Communication: Keeping you informed is a priority, and I will strive to prevent future lapses. I'll be spending some time cleaning up the Trello board and making it publicly visible. This will give allow you to track progress on a day to day basis.

• Project Progress: Though progress on the game slowed significantly, it didn’t halt entirely. I’ll be reviewing my change-logs and putting together an actual progress report within the next couple of days. I firmly believe in the unique vision of SIREN and its potential to be a groundbreaking RPG.

• Work-Life Balance and Physical Health: I'm making changes to manage my time better and incorporate more physical activity into my routine to prevent future burnout and sustain long-term progress. Friends and family members will help keep me accountable. 18 hours a day is obviously not sustainable, and I'll need to resist falling into that trap again as I try to "make up for lost time".

Gratitude

I'm incredibly humbled by the patience and understanding many of you have shown during this difficult time. Your support and passion for SIREN inspire me to keep pushing forward.

I know that words alone aren't enough, but I hope this message reassures you of my commitment to both the project and to all of you. I'm dedicated to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that communication lapses do not become a recurring pattern.

Thank you for your understanding and for being part of this journey. Ready to dive back in and make waves again. 🌊

Best regards,

David