I'm getting closer to the 1.0 release, and there's just one more update planned before that. Let me share what I hope to achieve. [h2]Dialogue Choices & Story:[/h2] Crypterion has been a unique challenge due to its open-world approach as a visual novel. It's quite rare to describe a visual novel as open-world, but that's what Crypterion feels like. While it follows a linear storyline, players have the freedom to explore and run their business. There are also significant story moments that offer pages of completely different dialogue based off choices. I came across a statistic mentioning that the average visual novel consists of around 90,000 words. The last update of Crypterion reached approximately 124,000 words. I estimate that at least 24,000 of those words will remain unread unless players make different choices during another playthrough. For example, the [b]first vacation event[/b] features six distinct branching story moments, and the [b]business rep. events[/b] have six different branching storylines. Once the main story is finished, players can delve into two additional arcs: the [u]Empress Arc[/u] and the [u]Faction Arc[/u]. These add an extra 1-2 hours of gameplay. Various significant events contribute another 1-2 hours each, creating a rich and expansive experience. While I aimed to provide players with freedom and choices, it did pose a challenge for those who prefer a steady pace and straightforward content consumption. The Empress Arc Update addressed story pacing for the initial 6-10 hours of gameplay [i](time depends on how fast you read and if you get into the Tycoon aspect)[/i], but beyond that point, players will need to engage in some exploration with the help of their crew (the Informant) to uncover new content. The achievements also serve as a guiding tool. [h3]Final story moments and events:[/h3] My goal is to complete both arcs and introduce events related to the objects players have purchased with their hard-earned money. (* = finished / # = in progress) - #[b]Faction Arc[/b] - If pursuing Astra's ending, you are locked into the Faction Arc. A new challenge awaits as you face off against the Factions. They are seeking power, and a life is in danger. - *Vacation with the Numari's (a plant like species) who are universally loved by players :) - *2 New minigame activities - *Digital Camera available in the shop - *Interactive Ending credits - #Umbrella event - #Computer access terminal - #Fun Zone Store - #Discover Iclantia Additionally, I am aware that the crew of ten characters requires more screen time, and I am actively working on addressing this. [b]In progress:[/b] - Fan art book - Steam cards and achievements - Auction house changes The achievements will be released with the 1.0 version. [b]Patch Release Date:[/b] Ideally, I would like to release the patch in June or early July, but setting precise dates is challenging. [b]My concerns and 1.0 release thoughts:[/b] Crypterion has been in early access for several years, and during this time, it has reached only a limited number of players. Unfortunately, I have been too focused on developing the game to allocate enough time for promotion. Since the last build, the game has reached a state that I am satisfied with. However, I recognize the need to invest a significant amount of time in distributing keys to garner press coverage before the 1.0 release. This process may cause a delay. I'm open for suggestions. The positive reviews have been incredibly encouraging, and I have made game improvements based on the feedback provided by critics. My intention from the beginning was to create Crypterion as a game and story that immerses players completely. With the upcoming 1.0 release, my hope is to deliver that full and captivating experience.