October 12 Update (Patreon)

Man, busy days. The most dramatic thing is that I just put out another book, which you can find here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSQPY5PN

This is the first book I've released since Amazon changed its algorithms, which generally slows down the ranking process (and is theorized to hurt smaller books). Thankfully, this book has reversed the previous entry's decline, actually selling a little better... yet the ranking is lower. =/ It could be that the ranking is a meaningless number, but the fear is that not charting as high will mean worse sales over the long term. It remains to be seen what will happen.

(It should go without saying that I'd love reviews from anyone who has read it, and if you want to grab the book, now is the best time. Thanks!)

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We've had over 1400 people fill out the TLS survey! If you want to vote for your favorite character or anything else, please fill it out:

https://forms.gle/SimoMjMdQoa5AvcE9

It will definitely stay open a while longer, but I'm not sure how long, as I intend to close it before the release brings in a new audience.

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The TLS release continues to draw closer... and Valve continues to stonewall me. It is now almost a month since I submitted the art pack DLC, and two weeks since Valve has said anything. =/ I don't want to launch TLS without it, so this is not great.

So when does TLS launch? I have a disinclination (this isn't set in stone) to launch near Halloween or in November, which leaves just two weekend dates: October 17 and October 24. The first would be next weekend, and still no word from Valve. The second... is I guess what I'm leaning toward. I don't know, this is all more uncertain than I'd like thanks to the long DLC delays.

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Speaking of release, I'm considering rewriting the description. Let's review, and also look at the new rating thanks to the surge in reviews:

(Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! Recently or years ago, they all count. ^-^ I'm also appreciative of everyone planning to review after the big launch.)

I've revised the trailer, screenshot, and library images... but not the text. I don't really like writing blurbs/descriptions: I consider myself bad at them, and the ones that others (authors, marketers, designers, etc) generally think are best are the ones I like least. The TLS description has stayed the same for years, but if there's a time to change it, I guess it's now.

I think the first clause is fine: it gives a basic description and tells the reader to expect twists instead of a conventional game. I don't know whether a description is the place to talk about trope reconstruction. And finally, the promise of "a lot of fun, sexy content" rings a bit hollow to me, given how I've lost nearly all hope in the field. Emphasizing the storyline and that choices matter might do more to attract the game's target audience. Prospective players will glance at various features of the store page before considering whether to try a game, and the other elements already communicate "sexy ladies are involved" well enough.

It may be unnecessary to state, but just to be clear: the description is not "for" me or current players, it should be calibrated to potentially interest new players, or accurately represent the game to people who won't play. I think it's likely possible to do better than this, but I'm unsure what changes I'd make.

EDIT: After workshopping some things, I have a new description on the Steam page. That said, I'd also like to update the "reviews" section beneath the main box - it isn't so important, but the current ones are ancient. If you or someone else has articulated some of the central selling points of the game, feel free to nominate a review to host there!