Hello; I actually talk.

It's Coda here. This is the first time I've made an update on Itch, so now you know that yes, I am a verifiably living person, lol

I hope you lot have been well. Please remember that the upkeep of your health—and taking measures to protect that of loved ones and neighbors—is important. Always so, but especially in these times. So from my team to you, we say take care of yourself: your wellness matters. It did then, it does today, and it will in the coming new year.

So as 2021 wraps up, I want to talk to you about what's in the works for This Life Escapes Me and more:

Upcoming Revamp: This Life Escapes Me

I do read and react to your comments on TLEM, and I am so thankful for them! I've not written responses to any of them just because I don't want to say the same thing over and over, but knowing that this small project has connected with anybody really is so touching. Some of you have even confessed to some dust in the eye! And being inspired to write something of your own! Which is like the ultimate honor for me, having something I made with friends resonate with you.

This Life Escapes Me was made as a tiny project that will stay tiny. Its charm comes from the punch of its bittersweet story and intimacy with one character. That said, it was made for a seven-day game jam that issued heavy restrictions on assets for submissions to qualify. That's why, for example, there was no ambient sound during. This was a trade-off for the single piece of music at the end, counting as the one audio track asset permitted. This seven-day time frame to make assets from scratch also affected the time we had to polish and playtest before submission—in that there was none, as it turned out. Whoops!

But that's why we're doing a revamp!

(Above: Updating Gad sprite in progress)  |  [art by me]

Between other projects I'm on, I've been working with my team over the past few months to update visuals, add a couple more assets for polish, and correct some small programming issues. Those will be enumerated upon in the actual release. I have since tested the original TLEM and read some concerns of your own playthroughs, so those are all going to be addressed.

As we finesse these aspects for the final update, I want you to know that I've also been putting something else together:

Prequel Announcement: The Corpse Lieutenant

When did you become the monster in the mirror?

[art by me / logo by Sergio Ramírez]

After all of your positive feedback from This Life Escapes Me, a lot of deliberation, and taking the initiative to lay out all the groundwork, I got the team back together to create the next story in the universe: The Corpse Lieutenant. This prequel which explains the events that led to Gad's obsession many years later in TLEM is already underway! I've drafted up a script of about 12,000 words which further explores the fantasy setting and lore, Gad and his lover's characterization, and touches on the darker side of his psyche. It's a tragic mix of love and quiet yearning, trauma and morality, fantasy violence, and graphic horror.

Now, this is a bigger project I'm putting together as an indie hiring several contractors in addition to BaiYu and NiAsobu. Because of this, the expenses are just as large, as it's all coming out of my pocket to make sure these talented people are fairly compensated for the programming, designing, rendering, and animating they're to do for this release.  I set aside what I can with my own contract and commission pay, but if you'd like to contribute to this project by offering a few dollars a month, you can check out my Patreon below. Though if it's not on your heart right now to continuously tip, my Patreon's monthly devlog is—and will always be—public.

If you're interested in supporting The Corpse Lieutenant and any future projects under my direction, become a Patron and get works-in-progress, behind-the-scenes content, and more for your general support!

Final Words

I've been overwhelmed by the incredibly kind comments you all leave on This Life Escapes Me. The emotional impact that just a one-thousand-word scene has left on you all, so strongly enough that you were compelled to say so really means a lot. Almost embarrassingly so, though I'm equally proud. I want to keep giving you all stories that you connect with in some way. So whether your support comes in funds, fandom, follows—however you're driven and whatever makes you comfortable—I and every member I'm able to bring on board because of it are thankful.

And you keep doing you. I don't know what all your dreams and aspirations are, but I wish you the best as well. We're all in the same boat, after all, getting by on what we love.

- Coda