Hey, how's it going?

It's been a while since we last saw each other, hasn't it? Anyway, here I am at the end of the year to let you know that yes! I'll be changing the game engine from "Clickteam Fusion" to "Unreal Engine".

As some of you may know, I recently upgraded my computer's graphics card, and now the idea of ​​making a whole game in UE5 is much more viable and realistic than it was a few months ago.

I'll continue using Clickteam Fusion for other smaller FNAF fan-game projects, but "The Steamboat Willie" has grown so much larger than it originally intended that it's almost impossible to apply all my ideas within a small and limited game engine like Clickteam (as I explained in my post about my expectations for Clickteam Fusion 3).

Now, what about the future of the game? It's hard to say... Obviously, because of this drastic decision, the project will be delayed for a few more months (maybe even years). Keep in mind that I'm just a guy who has a life to live doing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!! (except voice acting).

So obviously the project will take a long time to come out, almost like a "Pyro Illusion" game... right?... Well...

I'm considering hiring people to help me make this game, now that I have a source of income and an official job (although I still don't have a way to pay others), it's very likely that I'll hire programmers, 3D modelers, 2D artists, voice actors, 3D animators, and rig creators, and so on.

Now, does this mean that Clickteam Fusion will be completely abandoned?

Actually, no!

I'm also thinking about hiring another programmer (or group of programmers) to create a version of the game in Clickteam, a lighter, more accessible version, but much more limited and compact. While the Unreal version would be the "definitive version," the most complete, the most complex, the true experience of playing "The Steamboat Willie."

Now, because it's made in Unreal, this version will be much heavier and less accessible. So, to ensure that everyone can play the game and enjoy the experience, we'll have two versions: one made in Clickteam Fusion (more accessible, but limited) and one made in Unreal Engine 5 (more complete, but heavier and less accessible).

Keep in mind that the Unreal version will most likely be paid, as it will involve real money and an entire team. Which brings me to the next and final topic of this post.

I'm thinking about whether I should do what @Kyesen did with "Shadows Awaken," that is, transform the game so it stops being a FNAF fan-game.

With "The Steamboat Willie," the process would be even easier because the game has few (if any) connections to the other games, and the story and setting hold up very well for a BATIM-style indie horror game.

But I want to know what YOU think!!!

Should "The Steamboat Willie" remain a FNAF fan game, or should it take a step further and become something of its own?