Dev Update: 08-29-2019
It’s been a while since I have written an update and just seeing the date of the previous one makes me realise it’s been almost three years ago already. Somewhere during the development I made a concious decision to just do my thing and work in the ‘dark’, due to various reasons that are not important to get into right now. With this update I want to shed just a tiny bit of light on what is going on with Horizon Danger.
Just like the updates it also has been awhile since I have shown Horizon Danger to the public and last week was finally the moment that it was playable again at an event. The game was shown at Courage Cologne, a small showcase event that took place prior to the start of Gamescom.
During my summer vacation I dedicated a substantial amount of time to get the game in a state that shows the quality that I want for the end product to be and to make it feel like a complete package. I was rather anxious to show it to the public again, I think that’s mainly due to the fact I have been working and thinking about Horizon Danger since late 2013 and it becomes rather difficult to gauge the quality of the product that you are making since you are so close to it. But also for the fact that you dedicate so much of your time to make something and what if people don’t actually like it, what then? In that case it would have been a waste of time but also in the other hand it’s a learningful experience, something that I need to keep reminding myself in the back of my mind. And if you ask me, it’s has been a learningful experience.
But back to the event, Horizon Danger was shown! My level of anxiousness and fears were unfounded and it was absolutely an awesome experience. It was nice to show the game again after such a long time and just to play it for 5 hours straight with the crowd, the feedback and reception was cool and people seemed to dig it. When someone wants a rematch just for another chance to try to kick your butt, I can’t really describe it but moments like that makes it all worth it. So I just want to thank everyone again for playing the game at Courage Cologne, I really appreciate all the feedback and for you taking the time to play Horizon Danger. It gave me a real confidence boost! So thank you!
So what’s the next step, the game will be shown again at some smaller local events in the Netherlands, mainly in Leeuwarden, Groningen and perhaps in Utrecht with some luck. I would like to show it at bigger events, in the Netherlands but also in other countries but at the moment that is not doable due to budget reasons. When the game is playable at an event I will post it on Twitter @scaffa or here.
As mentioned before my goal, at the end of the sumer, was to make a product that feels and looks like an end product and a complete package. I think I achieved that goal but with that said the release date is still to be determined, it’s not going to be this year nor will it be early next year. I wish I could give a firm release window but I honestly can’t, my apologies for that and I hope you understand.
At the end of the day it’s a project that I work on in my spare time, without a proper budget and you know what.. game development is just fricking hard. There are still some milestones that I need to reach before the game becomes what I envisioned it to be and to make sure that it delivers an unique experience that I set out to create for the players.
Thanks for reading this update and for your patience.