(EN) Picture of the Future (Patreon)

Let’s write a more lengthy post for once. It’s 2026. Writing that down right now makes me realize just how quickly time is passing...

The first few months were primarily dedicated to stabilizing IFSCL 48X and IFSCL as a whole — more intensively than ever, while also tying up loose ends and catching up on the fresco. It’s a neat concept. I really wish I had done it sooner!

Tracking all the work I’m doing on my own is actually quite tricky. When I’m deep in the project, I lose past perspective. When I step back, I feel the urge to completely disconnect to avoid burnout.

That’s why I’m still planning a big livestream where I’ll go through everything that has been accomplished for 48X. It will help me solidify in my mind all the effort that has gone into this development cycle.

Right now, April is packed: the April 1st video, the announcement and organization for the 404 convention in Strasbourg, the 16th anniversary video and its communication campaign, ongoing Bunny CDN issues, finishing Chapter 8, and refactoring all the underlying code in IFSCL for the interface programs.

I don’t want to do less… but I don’t want to do more either.

Developing IFSCL can sometimes feel like a calm, flowing river where everything comes naturally. Other times, it’s a rocky path with stones constantly falling on you.

All of this while trying to communicate efficiently with testers, musicians, and translators. Struggling to align everyone’s schedules is probably part of the fun for some creators, but I never seem to get ahead of these very human difficulties…

Speaking of moving forward, let’s talk about the future, and my favorite subject: the Story.

The Year of the Frontier? Yeah, I’m still on it. The content has evolved, new ideas have emerged, and new challenges have appeared, but I have zero regrets about what it has become. What began as a concept teased at the end of Chapter 6 ultimately triggered Jeremy’s failure in Chapter 7. Is he done tinkering with the Frontier? Will Aelita disappear ? Probably not.

Are we reaching the equivalent of the end of Season 1 in the original show? Who knows… (Stay here! I do! It was a joke!)

Looking ahead, I will release Chapters 8 and 9 in 2026 without complications. Chapter 10, which will introduce at least a dozen new characters, will depend heavily on a new modular character creation system (in editor) that may take some time to implement.

Several brand-new programs are also in development to support the story and enable future custom gameplay outside the supercomputer. Others, like the gear/equipment destruction and reload, are still being pushed back as they're not that of a prio.I’m also looking forward to introduce the overvehicles creation, something we haven’t seen in the series before, but that will probably have to wait until next year.Regarding replikas, I know alot of people like that part of the gameplay, so even though it's not my priorities (digital sea itself is still very much a wip) I'm planning on creating new replikas 'test' factories for the strasbourg convention playtests. Likely then going into 49X cycle.

Freeroam, which I plan to unveil with version 5.0.X (hitting that symbolic new 0.0.X milestone was too good to resist) remains a huge task. I’m still far from it, but I’ve laid important groundwork over the years, especially regarding characters’ agendas and health parameters, I'm crossing my fingers.

Finally, I’m considering the upgrade to Unity 6.4 (Unity 2026). I’ve been on Unity 2021.3.45 for a long time because I decided long ago to stop chasing every new engine version, a lesson most developers eventually learn. While new engines promise exciting features, they must be handled carefully to avoid 'regressions', none will ever be perfect.

On the IFSCL side, it could bring useful new tools to speed up iteration, which I’m always looking for.

It goes without saying, but... this year is already pretty busy.

“What about the other years?”

I’m still dreaming of the day I’ll fully implement the Marabounta or the Kolossus… the day players will tell me they’ve spent over five hours in their custom games along with their adventures outside the factory… the day the freeroam and agenda systems will let them live their own seasons of the show.

The day I revisit the RTTP or the Winter Attack… the day we return to the Carthage Project storyline… the day the French song “Qu’en reste-t-il ?” will play… and the day the Orange and Purple RTTPs appear on your interface.

The day of yesterday. The day of tomorrow.Till then, stay tuned for the 16th Anniversary of IFSCL video, dedicated to the testers of IFSCL.Coming soon.Thank you Patrons, this wouldn't be as nice without you !