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Hello everyone!

Finally, I have some great news! The release of the long-awaited update will happen in just a few days. We’ve added several new endings, including an updated "Ending 7" for Ilga’s story and a "grand" finale for Kilena. We’ve also completed the endings for Londa and Fiona’s stories. With that, Forlan’s journey comes to an end, and we are now fully focused on creating new games.

I especially want to highlight Kilena’s ending. The testers were thrilled, and I’m so happy about that. When our writer and I were working on it, there were days when we literally had tears in our eyes—not from sentimentality, but from personal pain. However, we pulled through. We aimed to make something that players would love, even though we were stepping outside our comfort zone with this type of story. And it seems like we hit the mark! Now we eagerly await the reaction of our entire audience.

We initially planned to release the update in the summer, but delays appeared. First, we encountered issues with localization. We used to have our own translator on the team, but now we don’t. Then our programmer faced technical difficulties. Still, as they say, better late than never!

Since mid-August, I’ve been working on a new project since my part of the work on the update was long completed. I’ll share more about the new project later, and I hope you’ll support it with the same warmth as you have our previous games. We gave it our all to bring Void’s Calling to the finish line under these difficult conditions. Not every project makes it to the end, but we are proud that we didn’t let our audience down.

To be honest with you, the situation is getting even more challenging. Not long ago, the double taxation avoidance system was cancelled, meaning we now have to pay taxes in both the U.S. and in our home country. This has significantly increased our expenses. Our survival has always depended on keeping costs low, but now those costs are rising. Despite this, we are pressing on.

So, stay tuned, the update will be in your hands very soon! Thank you for your support and patience.

With respect and gratitude,Your development team

P.s

Also I suddenly discovered that the DLC Last stand, which added endings to the story, has a note: "Profile features are limited". This means that this DLC is not offered to players on Steam's main store. Perhaps this is because of the lower amount of sales of this DLC. I wrote to support and they replied that Steam has its own algorithms, that there is no error and this restriction will be removed when the DLC will meet their conditions. What these conditions are, they do not disclose. I can't do anything about it. I can only ask if someone hasn't written a review to write one. Maybe it will make a difference.

Здравствуйте, друзья!

Наконец-то у меня есть отличные новости! Релиз долгожданного дополнения состоится буквально в ближайшие дни. Мы добавили несколько новых финалов, в том числе дополнили «Концовку 7» для истории Ильги и «грандиозный» финал для Килены. Также финалы для историй Лонды и Фионы. На этом история Форлана завершена а мы полностью погружены в создание новых игр.

Отдельно хочется отметить концовку Килены. Тестеры были в восторге, и я этому очень рад. Когда мы с нашим сценаристом работали над ней, каждый день были моменты, когда слёзы наворачивались на глаза. И это не слезы умиления, а слезы личной боли, но мы это сделали. Мы старались сделать всё так, чтобы игрокам понравилось, но мы очень далеки от подобных историй. И несмотря на это, похоже, мы попали в точку! Теперь с нетерпением ждем, как на это отреагирует вся наша аудитория.

Планировали выпустить дополнение ещё летом, но возникли задержки. Были проблемы и с локализацией. Раньше у нас был штатный переводчик, а теперь нет. Потом появились технические сложности у программиста. Но, как говорится, лучше поздно, чем никогда!

С середины августа я уже работаю над новым проектом, так как моя часть работы по дополнению давно завершена. О новом проекте расскажу чуть позже, и надеюсь, что вы поддержите его с такой же теплотой, как и предыдущие. Мы выкладывались на максимум, чтобы довести Void Calling до конца в этих непростых условиях. Не все проекты доживают до финала, но мы гордимся, что не подвели свою аудиторию.

Буду с вами откровенен: условия становятся всё сложнее. Не так давно отменили систему предотвращения двойного налогообложения, и теперь мы платим налоги и в США, и у себя на родине. Это сильно увеличивает наши расходы. Суть выживаемости нашей команды всегда была в низких издержках, но сейчас они растут. Несмотря на это, мы продолжаем работать.

Так что ждите, уже совсем скоро мы выйдем с дополнением! Спасибо вам за поддержку и терпение.

С уважением и благодарностью,Ваша команда разработчиков

P.s.

Так же внезапно обнаружил, что у DLC Last stand, который закончил историю, стоит пометка: "Функции профиля ограничены". Это значит что данное дополнение, не предлагается игрокам на витринах Стим. Возможно с этим связаны не самые активные продажи дополнения. Я написал в поддержку и мне ответили, что у Steam свои алгоритмы, что никакой ошибки нет и данное ограничение снимется когда приложение будет соответоствовать условиям. Какие это условия, они не раскрывают. Сделать с этим я ничег оне могу. Могу лишь попросить, если кто-то не писал отзыв, написать его. Возможно, это как-то повлияет.

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Comments

Huw Gryffin

I'm sorry I don't understand the implications behind what you are saying about this additional final content for those of us who have opted to additionally support "Void's Calling" by purchasing the Steam version as well. You are saying that, with regard to the Steam version, Valve can dictate to you whether or not you are allowed to add this additional content to your creation as an update or DLC and Valve can, at their discretion, decide whether or not to prevent "Void's Calling" licensees from enjoying this additional content in the Steam version at all? Surely at the very least they would agree to you adding this additional content as further paid DLC and not deny Steam members the pleasure of experiencing at all or are they saying the additional costs of presenting and processing it as DLC through their system isn't worth their time and/or money to do so? I guess that's what you're saying...that you don't know why, so I apologize if I'm asking a question you can't answer. It seems totally bizarre for such a seemingly broad minded company...looking at the rising level of porn and drugs-related content they're now casually peddling in amongst their mainstream product...to be, in this instance, so very small minded about such a relatively innocuous and inconsequential benefit to their members.

Novel-games

I don't fully understand you. What part of the news item did you question? The part at the end?

Huw Gryffin

Yes. The "PS". Sorry. I was saying I do not understand why you seem not to have the power/authority to decide not just in what way to provide this extra content to the Steam version (i.e. free update or DLC), but also whether you are "allowed" to add it at all. Does Valve have such power over what is your own creation and your own content that they can dictate to you whether or not you can add this content to the Steam version at all?

Huw Gryffin

I am very sorry. I'm afraid this is a recurring problem with the way I articulate what I am trying to say to you, Novel. The problem is mine, I'm afraid. I'm sorry. If anyone else reads this perhaps they can express what I am trying to say in simpler terms for the benefit of the translator (to Russian, I believe it is).

Moon

Thank you so much to the development team, it’s very clear you gave your all to the game. You did not have to but you did under very challenging circumstances. Thank you and can’t wait to play.

Novel-games

You'll see what it says: Profile features are limited. I.e. the application is not shown in a number of storefronts. I don't know why this is the case, but it's hindering promotion.

Huw Gryffin

So, for the time being, Steam members who have already purchased and who may, in future, purchase "Void's Calling 1 & 2" and "Last Stand DLC" will not to be allowed access to the extra content mentioned in this thread. And we have no reason as to why this is or how we might actually influence the possible future addition of this, to me at least, very desirable part of the whole story to our Steam Libraries.

Novel-games

They will have the opportunity to both buy and play. I'll say it again. Steam doesn't show them on their storefront. I.e. players can buy them if they look for them, but Stim does not promote DLC. On release, until the first 10+- reviews, every product has such restrictions, but then they are removed. Why they are not removed from the DLC that has been on sale for a long time, for which there are many reviews and no complaints, I do not know.

Huw Gryffin

I realise that you are incredibly busy all the time (no sarcasm intended), but now that "Last Stand" clearly meets the relevant criteria, are you not, as Developer and Publisher, able to request Steam to remove all restrictions, thus presumably allowing you to go ahead and either add this extra content to "Last Stand" as a free update or, alternatively, make it separately available for Steam members as paid DLC? Apart from being a very obvious dullard, I'm honestly not trying to be difficult or critical here, I'm just, as a Steam member, enquiring with great interest, that is all.

Novel-games

Maybe the translation is inaccurate, but my post says I wrote to Technical Support. In order to avoid any double interpretation, I will write here their answer verbatim: his limitation is normal -- lots of games have that, and it's not based on how old the game is. These features will be enabled automatically once your title reaches our confidence metric. We don't publicly share the eligibility requirements: if a bad actor knew our rulebook, they'd know how to bend and break the rules. But generally, the confidence metric is based around having a significant amount of real customers buying or playing the game. These are minor features though, so as a general rule if you haven't earned them yet, there are probably lots of other things to focus on or prioritize, in terms of improving the game and talking to customers about it. You can learn more about this in our documentation. I don't really understand the point of what was said, considering that thousands of people bought the DLC.

Huw Gryffin

Got it! In my opinion, it's absolutely absurd on Steam's part (another example of the Amazon, Walmart syndrome in action) and driven, as usual, by sales volume ergo money...the root of all evil, well that and religion of course. So now all we can do is wait and hope that this invisible, intangible, unknowable "confidence metric" is somehow reached and trips the release of your personal creation. Thank you very much indeed, as always, for your time and effort in responding to my annoying messages. I both apologize and appreciate it. No need to reply, I know "I am (as always) welcome".

Novel-games

You see, here's the problem. Usually this limitation is valid for the first 5-7 hours after release. And then it's lifted. All my releases have been like that. What happened with DLC is not normal and atypical. In fact, sales volume will not grow if you don't show the game to customers. Most potential buyers don't know about it.