THE PRESENT
G String is on Steam. Also the full OST is out now as well.
I see release as just another step on the journey not the final step. I will continue to polish things up and work in the post-release feedback. Steam related updates are also planed such as achievements, trading cards, etc...
THE PAST
So Steam presence is now, but what about the first half of 2020 when I stayed relatively quiet?
It wasn't easy, as you all know I was used to making monthly updates but after I posted that G String is going retail I felt that putting out a screenshot each month isn't much of a news anymore- everyone knows I keep mapping so why keep posting just about that?
Recently I had to go out even less than usual so I had more time to map, map, map, work, work, work. Mapping kept me sane and gave me focus/direction. While the paperwork was progressing slowly I buried myself in development. Making even small changes is very time consuming at this stage because recompiling times have increased considerably as maps grew more detailed and in some cases larger.
There are a few things that will not be included in the first release but everything is possible with updates. Relax though: all the crucial elements are in the game: the ending, all the major places such as the Air Refinery, the ITC Twin Towers, the Spaceport and all the stuff in orbit; every major character, location, vehicle, everything important has been included.
Just adding in the third act alone prolonged development with at least another year. But it was worth it because now I won't have to go episodic or make big additions later.
THE FUTURE
What about the future?
What happens after release depends mostly on the level of interest. I definitely want to put out a few smaller updates in the following months. On the long term if there is demand there are a few more additions and improvements I can make. New weapons, a few more open maps, a jet ski type vehicle section and maybe a couple of new mechanical enemies...
Some also have asked me "what's next?" Well, it's too early to tell, let me get this game out first!
I do have a few other ideas but I don't want to go into detail about those yet. They are definitely not G String related- some are darker more abstract game concepts while others are kind of sandbox oriented and campy but nothing too concrete yet. Also: never say never but as of now I do not plan on making more G String related games.
As in the past so too moving forward I will stay open to any criticism and suggestions. Probably on Steam there will be a feedback section somewhere so I'll keep an eye on it and if I can I will fix/implement whatever comes up there.
THE CALL
And last but not least a "call to action"... I guess that's what they call it?
Since I am mostly alone and I can't afford to hire a marketing firm (which may or may not do a good job from what I hear) maybe you can help promote this thing a bit? Nothing aggressive of course! Just mention it to friends who might like it or if you go to scifi/cyberpunk related forums/boards, maybe bring it up. That sort of thing...
Obviously I'll do my part here on Moddb/YouTube/Discord/Twitter/Facebook. I'll post as much as I can and also I'll probably make another release trailer soon.
I have sent out hundreds of press kits and emails as well but it's never enough is it... Promotion is also never ending work like mapping.
ALMOST THERE
In closing a few thanks to everyone at VALVe and Steam who helped me through the final stages, also a big thank you to LunchHouse Software for the help regarding the technical aspects and many more thanks to old-timers like Biohazard, Phillip, Leon, DAZ, Mr.Zip and more who have helped me over the years.
Also a huge thank you to all of you guys, the fans. Some of you have been sticking around for like a decade which just blows my mind... Without your constant input and encouragement I would have surely moved on shortly after the Beta in 2011.
STAY ON TARGET
So that's it, I hope the rest of 2020 will be kinder to us all and 2021 will kick ass! Back to work!
- G STRING: Store.steampowered.com
- G String OST: Store.steampowered.com
- G STRING SAMPLE OST: Store.steampowered.com
- G STRING - BETA: Moddb.com
- G STRING - DAY ONE: Moddb.com
- BEAUTY SECRETS PDF: Steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net
- OTHER LINKS:
- Youtube.com
- Gstring.lunchhouse.software
- Twitter.com
- Facebook.com
Thank you!
Being quite uninfluential, social-network inactive, and broke, I'll do my next best and keep people in my circles informed. Best luck to you! It's been such a long journey.
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One question though...
will it seriously support LDR? You mentioned compiling lighting and cubemaps for it, but who's really staying on such old setups that they can't turn on HDR? For example Map Labs pretty much ignores LDR nowadays.
I know it's pretty obsolete but it's just something I got used to doing... I do it automatically. Maybe someone out there might play it on a 15 year old machine? :))
My pc, besides the graphics card, is 12 years old ;)
After years, it's finally going on Steam. Nice!
Hope you'd have a good future ahead with this great project of yours.
The Journey's End is near... it was a crazy and fun road and I'm glad I could be there to witness it!
Thank you for thanking me as old-timer in the text above, lol. I am 57 nearly hahahaha. But, was a great pleasure to help where I could, as old Source mapper of large projects we were kind of connected that way. I hope so that this will be very successful. It is a good idea to work on it some more after release in the form of updates, extra content, etc. Because I for one felt like I did fall in a big cap after each release of a large mod. Suddenly the work is done and you can only sit back and follow what happens next. Am also so interested to see what you will do next but I understand completely that it is way too early for that. One other thing, it's a good thing that you keep working on it, for now, making it "better". But, don't go overboard. I mean, there will probably never be a time when you say; now it is done. There will always be something that could be improved in some way. To release it is a very scary thing, it's out of your control then. And now you still have that control in a sense. But, you have to sent it out there, into the world, one day.
Greetings, and, enjoy these days of pre-release. They will never come back. Success,
Leon
I just meant old timer in terms of how long we've been around making mods and stuff. 50s is nothing these days. ;)
Maybe you could get an interview published with PCGamer or Rockpapershotgun. Even though they're pretty mainstream they still write about mods from time to time, and I think the narrative of this amateur mod project being shaped into a full commercial game over 12 years in a largely solo effort is the kind of amazing feat people would like to read about. That would boost the game's profile a bit.
Excellent!! Seeing this makes me happy. I've been following the project for 10 years and blows my mind to see it almost done.
I wish the best for the game, surely it will be liked by many.
May I suggest GmanLives if you are looking for gaming Youtubers to offer a review copy to? He specialises in all sorts of FPSes and got like 300k subscribers.
MandaloreGaming would be another good one. He's popular and likes to review obscure & unusual games like this.
Oh yeah Mandy's great! Would suggest Sseth too since he always gives a huge boost but I got a hunch he's more interested in immersive sims than more linear experiences.
I will be brief :)
Thanks for all that you have done. I adore your work and will promote it in every possible way.
Man I'm so excited to see this thing finally out, I've been hooked since that original beta and I'm so stoked to be able to run through the full thing.
I don't have much in the way of influence but I know a few people that might be interested so I'll point this out to them :)
You've truly come a long way over the decade or so, i'm legitmately surprised that Valve hasn't even noticed your work already, and i'm not even CLOSE to kidding when I say that I prefer your G-String story over the original Half-Life story, really... <3 <3
Even if it was a miniscule amount, I hope all of your fans, including MAJOR ones like myself, helped in at least supporting of you emotionally to further your drive to refine your G-String story over the years. :)
Im following this game since, i dont know, 2013 i guess ? I really hope that this game will be awesome and one of the best on Source engine. I will definitely support your game by making purchase and letting my friends know about this game. By the way, a lame question #1 - will it be achievements on Steam ? Of course, you have much more work and its not a priority which is understandable but it would be great if you make them.
And lame question #2 - can i help with Russian translation before and shortly after it will be released ?
Those questions are not lame! 1: yes I plan on adding achievements but not for the initial release. For an update. And a Russian translation is being worked on. :)
oh, cool. Its great that there will be achievements.
Thanks for the reply, though.
Holy cow, Volvo themselves got invovlved?
Praise teh lord and saviour Gaben!
Yay Eyaura!
I am one of those fans from your first release. This is very exciting!
would be cool to see this on modern consoles (PS5 / Series X)