I'm usually trying to crack a joke here, but I don't think I'll be doing that this time.
As some of you may have heard, Papilio v0.5.2 has been out for quite some time, and can be purchased from itch.io, Indie Game Stand and now Desura. For those who haven't seen the video, here it is:
Unfortunately, things haven't taken off as well as they should. Adding to that some domestic problems, and I am afraid to announce that v0.6.0 may be delayed for a long time, with additional delays based on whether or not I land a full- or part-time job...if at all.
Further adding to the problem is the knowledge that people are increasingly looking down on the concept of Alphafunding and Crowdfunding, in no small part due to stories like these:
I understand the logic behind not wanting to back projects that aren't completed yet. We will never know if the one we're supporting turns out to be the real thing or a wolf in sheep's clothing, waiting to sucker the eager masses of their hard earned cash.
It's just that applying the same logic to myself hurts: I'm basically forced to alphafund because I really am the only one working on Papilio, doing quintuple duty working on music, art, programming, design and marketing. I barely have enough time to have a real job. And for all that I try hard to make sure my efforts match my own expectations--and everyone else's.
Well, at least the 32 people who bought my game anyway (thank you, each and every one of you).
It's just that it's incredibly difficult marketing an unfinished game in a time when people are becoming increasingly wary of charlatans who steal other peoples' money on the pretext that they're manufacturing an amazing product for them. That and shootemups are generally looked down upon, whether for the bullet hell stigma, or the lack of a decent premise, or for the graphics looking like they've been sequestered from an Amiga.
In any case, I'll keep trying to press forward, since I know many of you are struggling too. The economy is in the low, there are wars and rumors of wars, brother rises up against brother and a household is divided amongst itself, but we have to keep moving.
Stay hyper, my friends.
