Thursday, June 4, 2020

Game Statuses

Here are the statuses of my current games in development. These are not official but estimates:
  • Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 3 (Hosted Games), April, 2022
  • Vampire:the Masquerade - Out for Blood, July 29, 2021
For details on each project, see below.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 3

I am up to 560,000 words for Part 3. Supporters on my Patreon are testing an alpha release. As the group departs the camp on the hill with Eli, they head to his Junkyard, at which point the story unfolds.

The tentative release month for Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven, Part 3 is April, 2022. There are two main reasons why the date has been pushed back again.

First, it took me much longer than I ever expected to write Part 3. Many readers complained that Part 2 was too short, so I added content which took away from writing Part 3. I also worked on VTM - Out for Blood, which divided some of my time. Since I work a regular full-time job, I only have so much additional time to spend working on these games. Now that I am done with the first release of Out for Blood, I plan to devote more of my time to Safe Haven.

Secondly, there is a long waiting line to have your game published. At the moment, Hosted Games has an 8-9 month delay between submission and release. They have so many games in their queue that this is the fastest they can produce a new release.

Since I started writing for HG, there were few games in production. Nowadays with the success of my series and the influx of new writers, Hosted Games is incredibly popular. They also make it fairly easy for new writers to publish through them, which is a good thing. It just means series like ZE:SH get stuck in a very deep queue.

Spoilers Below

Arriving at the Junkyard, your group finds a well-protected area with space for everyone, resources for crafting, and access to places to explore and scavenge. Chapter 8 will be a lot of exploration, from surrounding areas, warehouses, a close-by settlement, and of course, the Junkyard itself. I promise to give ample time to players for all of this searching and scavenging while still being able to craft, work on relationships, manage the group, and other activities common in open-world scenes.

A lot of talk in forums and my social media relates to the Silverthorne Militia. Many players believe the Silverthornes will be the main antagonists to the MC’s group. This is not entirely true. The Silverthornes may very well be antagonistic to the main group, especially if Natalie or Wyatt are dead or Benton is dead or kidnapped.  However, the Silverthornes are a group who have specific motivations and numerous members. They will not be a one-dimensional group.

In addition, Part 3 will introduce us to other groups. For those who have played the militia side mission in Parts 1 or 2, you know of the New Army. At least three other groups will be introduced, each with their own goals and personalities. Allegiances will be tested in your group. Members may leave and join other groups. You may steal members of other groups. Trade, wars, and diplomacy may occur. This new avenue of gameplay will add a huge element to Safe Haven, and both leaders and non-leaders will have ways to influence the story.

You can also expect:
  • New characters.
  • New weapons, gear, consumables, and clothing/uniforms.
  • New romantic options, including new teen options.
  • Improve your vehicles with weapons and armor.
  • Build up your Safe Haven! Add new defenses, repurpose buildings, and even craft structures.
  • More chances to raise skills naturally and through training. 
  • My goal is to release Part 3 in Fall, 2021.

Vampire: the Masquerade — Out for Blood

In cooperation with White Wolf Publishing and Paradox Interactive, Vampire: The Masquerade — Out for Blood is an interactive horror novel, set in the World of Darkness, which puts you in the role of a new resident of a small town inhabited by vampires.

You’ve barely settled into your new home of Jericho Heights on the outskirts of Chicago, before discovering that vampires live in town. You’re struggling to start a new life, meet new people, and maybe even find love. But when your neighbors start disappearing, you’re forced to take action.

Take on the role of a vampire hunter to save your town from the influence of Chastain, a vampire more than a century old. When a group of young thin-blood vampires start a war with Chastain, will you choose sides, or hunt them all?

Gather your forces and sharpen your stake to take back the night!

For more information, check out the official page.

Updates planned:

  • View portraits in stat screen after you've met a character.
  • Add portrait art of additional characters.
  • New options to work in the store in the mid-game.
  • New options to pay off your store loan.
  • More interactions with your romantic interests in chapters 11 and 12.
  • Expanded paths for the final battle scene.
  • Expanding True Faith.