(Dev Scroll IV) — Next Update, Plans for July @ Exalted Text

My friends and dearest supporters!

As you can probably tell, a devlog is long overdue. I've been working on crafting together scenes for the next update! Firstly, my apologies for the lack of updates/communication on this Patreon page itself. I'm a bit more communicative and easily accessible in the Exalted Text discord, but I understand that not every patron is a part of the discord.

I've been pretty bad at setting aggressive deadlines for myself and then announcing potential release dates before I'm certain that I can even meet them. Most of the time, I don't! I suppose that's part of publishing your first project and figuring out what kind of workflow and expectations works best. It's a fragile balance, trying to market and grow a game's audience while also steadily chipping away at the story, art and everything else that comes with it.

In all actuality, if I hadn't received so much positive feedback and support even in just the last few months, I'm uncertain whether Orphan would still be alive & progressing steadily like it is now. I haven't done the best at rewarding my prized Patrons, and even when I try to (w/ patron polls), the responses are quite low! It's clear to me that the majority of you who stick around and support me are just doing so for your love and enjoyment of Orphan and the world of Cradle... which I'm hugely grateful for and continually inspired by. ❤️‍🔥

On July 21st, I have a flight. I'll be undergoing a massive move, and adjusting to a new place/path/purpose... There's a lot of chaos and uncertainty that comes with that. The good news is that I'm a starving artist (😭😂) and any amount of support/income from my projects right now is going to be increasingly important to me... That's good for me, because you (my dearest supporters) have proven to me that Orphan is good enough to warrant real, tangible support and investment, and good for you because that means I need to continue hammering away at it!

I want Orphan to be bigger, better and more worthy of attention & acclaim.

Doesn't every creator want that for their work?

Okay, let me stop talking about my FEELINGS and try to drop some good information here.

Necessity certainly sharpens the blade. 🗡️

📅 Chapter 2.9 - What to Expect

My GOAL is put out as much content as I can before I leave on my flight, to give everyone something to savor as I establish my new routine and get to work on the next chapter. Right now, that content appears to be:

• a scene with Khalika during the banquet's finale

• an expanded version of the bath scene on the Academy route (patron exclusive)

• new main menu w/ art (featured in Dev Scroll III)

• 5+ new images so far (you've seen a couple of them)

• The Gladiator Auction (TBD)

The Auction has been the most comprehensive scene by far!

I might need to break it into parts, but we'll see how it develops. It's a very important moment in the Gladiator arc with big consequences for how your individual story progresses... and how your relationship with other characters blossoms.

If you're not in the Discord, definitely considering joining it! We've been chatting about Reign MUX recently, which is a multiplayer text-based roleplaying game set in the world of Cradle, shortly after the events of Orphan. I've been working on it and I have a feeling that if you like Orphan, there's a good chance that you'll like what I'm developing w/ Reign.

🩸 Onward.
– Truth @ Exalted Text