We took a break over the holidays to avoid packages getting lost in the mail, but we've been shipping again. Packages are not marked as shipped because I need to manually mark them as shipped. I'm still on my winter vacation but will mark them off when im back home next week! :)
So far we've shipped over 1000 parcels and are roughly 60% complete with shipping
Plenty of progress has been happening since the last update and the game has slowly morphed into something new and different. I have made the decisions a little while back to change direction for the game based on a lot of feedback, and it has turned into a bullet-hell / survivor game based around the same world and themes.
I understand everyone supported the project based on the original game pitch, so if anyone would like a refund, I will sort this out over the next few months. Please just reach out to me directly at [email protected].
If you're happy to still support the project as is, then thank you. Anyone with the higher tier pledges, and still want to support, happy to work with you on contributing other design elements to the game.
I'm aiming for a March for the first Early Access build, which will include the following:
One world
2 different starting classes
6 different weapons
10 enemies
2 optional quests
6 different upgrade types
The goal will be to release additional worlds, weapons, enemies over the course of this year and as we get close to version 1.0. The PS5 port will be up next.
There will be unique classes to start each run. Each run will be unique in world layout, with optional side quests to complete.
Work in progress perma upgrade screen, which will be accessible from the main title screen.
You'll get to pick an upgrade after each level up during gameplay. These will be temporary.
Checking the player and current game stats whilst in game.
What's up ghouls! Happy new year to those believe in time!
Just giving a quick production update. We are starting to receive our raw materials and toss them into the cauldron! Orders for Long Sleeve and T shirts are going out, we're very stoked to be working with King Volume and BogLung on this run of shirts! We have also acquired a 3d printer and are scheming up ways to use it (beyond making figures for our personal tabletop campaigns). We're looking into making cartridge inserts for cassette jewel cases! This will likely be used on future projects, but sound off below if you would be interested in grabbing a Ghoul Thrasher cassette case with a printed J-card as an add on! I'm working on the design for the card anyway!
It would also be rad to 3d print some kind of GT figure or sculpture, but we're not master sculptors or 3d modelers yet, so reach out if you have an interest in working with us on that!
Our early March order fulfillment goal maaaaaay be a bit ambitious, I think production of the comic and having to wait for some carts coming from overseas might make us push it back a bit, but we will keep y'all posted!
Thanks as always for undying support. Yours in Sorrow and Satisfaction, Magic Quest Media
Happy 2025, everyone! Here is what's happening at Hagens Alley!
We eagerly await the arrival of the advanced copy of The Complete Genesis, followed by the main print run. It will take a while for things to clear customs. As we all know, we're currently navigating the challenges posed by the Chinese New Year, leading to some congestion at shipping ports during the holidays. Unfortunately, this means we might experience some delays, but it's nothing I wasn't anticipating. We're closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated. Once the advanced copy arrives, I'll post some pictures and do a video!
For The Complete Genesis, I've identified all early bird backers and those who have supported a previous project. I'm pleased to inform you that your bonus items will be sent out soon!
I have also been busy working on the Kickstarter stretch goal during the holiday season. This goal involves creating a separate Sega CD and 32X "mini-book." It's shaping up to be a comprehensive 116-page manual that covers everything related to those add-on consoles! While I still have some work ahead of me, I'm making progress! Additionally, I plan to start the porting process for the pocket version of The Complete Genesis, which will be ordered in January.
I will have extra Complete Genesis Coins for sale on the website for those of you who missed out on being an early bird supporter on BackerKit. These turned out amazing!
https://youtube.com/shorts/dl9QhSlCGrk
The Metroidvania Chronicles Phase 02 books should arrive any day now. They were at customs two weeks ago but were stuck because of the holidays. I'll begin the shipping process when they arrive at the warehouse!
For those of you who supported the limited slipcases, I will personally ship them out to avoid damage, as there won't be many replacements. If you want, I can sign your copy. Just let me know in your survey!
Lots of other things I have going on...
By popular demand, I'm bringing back my Hagens Alley Patreon. It is an easy way to keep track of everything I'm doing in one place. At the end of the year, there is even a tier that gives you a free book. As an executive producer, we will mention you on every podcast and YouTube video!
I recently appeared in the documentary Nintendo 64 Quest, where I discussed my nostalgia. Be sure to check it out.
(I'm not the owner of Premium Edition Games, I do design work!)
I have also been making weekly YouTube videos about Indie Gaming Gems. New episodes drop every Friday afternoon. The games covered in the episodes will be part of a new book I'm creating, covering indie games as a spiritual successor to Hidden Gaming Gems!
Finally, we have a Discord Channel for Hagens Alley Books. There are many updates there, so be sure to check it out if you want updates more than once a month.
Hello everyone! Time for another update - I'm sorry this one has been a long time coming!
Pictured: Lilibri doing her fun little pose!
Truth be told, I didn't want to make another update until we were ready to share a playable version of the game with our backstage pass backers, but things got a bit knocked off the rails. After my medical emergency a few months ago, I've had to take time for getting my physical and mental health in order, and just when I felt that was sorted enough, I found myself occupied with a big, expensive move - both the effort of moving itself and the extra work I had to take on to pay for it.
Even with me being indisposed, I thought we could still get a playable version of the game to backers out by the end of the year, but unfortunately that isn't looking like it'll be the case - almost everyone else is behind, too. Aside from the animation work I haven't been able to finish, we're still missing some music and backgrounds. Even if we proceeded without those, the coding work for the necessary menu and UI stuff has been stretching out many times longer than I thought it would and still isn't ready.
Once the holidays are over and I can finally give Petal Crash 2 my full attention, I hope I can do what I can to get development rolling smoothly! I'll be challenging myself to get all the character animation work done by the time everything else is ready for the backstage preview version - a couple of the characters are basically finished, which is an exciting milestone.
I've also got something else in the works - I had a lot of fun making Petal Crash enamel pins, and even during the Petal 2 crowdfunder, I was already thinking about doing another crowdfund just to get pins made of the entire cast. I'm trying to gauge interest, so if that's something you'd like, let me know!
Missing your favorite? They'll be back... in pin form!
I know that doing another crowdfund while the thing I've already crowdfunded for isn't done yet seems kind of suspect, but it'd help me a lot to make up for lost time if it's a success - plus, I did successfully deliver on the merch portion of the Petal 2 crowdfund already, so I hope that proves I'm ready to send out another batch of physical goodies just as promptly! I'm currently planning to hold it sometime early in 2025. If you get any money over the holidays as a gift, save it! To give to ME
That's all for now - hopefully next time, the game will be ready for a bunch of you to get your hands on it. Thank you so much for your patience and all of your support!
Hey all, We're into the last few days of this, and it's 97% of the way to €30,000! Thanks a lot to everyone who's backed. It's going to be worth it!
I've put the original 868-HACK on sale, probably if you're here you already have it but maybe tell your friends: iOS appstore or Steam.
Also, tonight I'm planning to stream for a bit, from around 8:30pm GMT, to show some of the game and maybe answer any questions people have. This is my first time livestreaming! Usually I don't show very much of a game I'm working on at this stage because there's so much basic usability stuff left to do, but I'm feeling like there are probably some folk who'd like to see a bit more to help decide about backing the game, and maybe this will be a good format for that because I can explain what direction things are going in as I show it.
December 23rd - January 6th I won't be active due trips for Christmas and New Year season! Happy upcoming holidays and let's catch up after NY!
Fundraiser and rewards update!
The fundraiser has now officially closed completely!
Unpaid pledges through the main fundraiser campaign were cancelled
All Woodland Pixyl Sticker orders has been registered and sent to Pixyl team to prepare for production
Around 45 out of 110 custom reward previews has been sent out for check ups
- Alpha & Beta Early access keys has been sent out to your BackerKit accounts - Normal Early Access keys I had to send out manually so around 300 emails should be sent now too Sending these earlier will really help me with having less workload after NY so I can focus more on the game!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Alpha & Beta Early access key is for the same product, it just has an access to the game's upcoming Alpha & Beta versions
The game is not currently playable since it's in development, but you can claim the keys to have it in your library already
Those who are filling in surveys late (after December 15th) will most likely receive the keys after holidays only
If you haven't received your Backer role or have any other questions/issues, please send me an email: [email protected]
Hey, I dug up one of my old notebooks and found the scribbled pages that eventually became 868-HACK, so here (backer-exclusive) are those pages, plus my first page of notes for the sequel!
More orders are marked as shipped so check your survey if you want to see if your order is coming soon! Digital only orders are also marked as fulfilled but that does not mean your digital items are all delivered, ive just marked it purely for physical shipping reasons.
