Hey there!

After skipping April, we're back with another progress report -- and two quick announcements!

First, we have two new team members! Give a warm welcome to Philiplol (writer and musician) and Pizza Tony (artist). We're really happy to have them both on board!

Second, while we didn't post a progress report last month, we did post an April Fools Day video!

Here's "Starlight Sun!" It was a Thriller parody that nobody everybody asked for, courtesy of TheMaxine's editing and Ethosein's music.

Progress Updates

In December 2022, we reported our then-estimated 80-90% functional completion of Starlight Isles (likely closer to ~83%) and a potential 26% functional completion of TS!UNDERSWAP!

Our development priorities are still focused on the major content of Starstruck Village:

• Making progress on major script content -- Starstruck Village content, character interactions and cutscenes, etc.

• Implementing content in-game with completed assets (writing, art, music, etc.) -- primarily finishing the major end boss per route, with other content as desired.

• Creating overworld, environment, and battle assets as-needed for cutscenes and sequences.

• Making refinements to existing content based on team feedback.

In terms of our general progress since our March 2023 Progress Report:

• Writing -- Roughly 3/4 of Starstruck Village has been written, excluding sidequests!

  • We've finished the entire script for a major character interaction in the village.

  • The area end script (bridging the gap between Starlight Isles and Crystal Springs) is mostly finished for two routes, and in-progress for another.

  • The first major character encounter for Crystal Springs has been written.

• Artwork -- Various overworld, environment, menu, battle, and concept art assets have been made as needed.

• Soundtrack -- We currently have 26/36 planned tracks for Starlight Isles completed!

  • This includes 2/6 of our planned song remakes completed -- both "Boogiemen" and another theme have been finished, both by Devilredd and colinator27.

  • "Count Koffin-K" is currently being remade by ExtendoFun, while "Koffin Keep" is being remade by colinator27 (with plans for Devilredd to make adjustments).

  • There's also 5 non-remake tracks nearing completion, and 1 other not yet started.

• Programming -- We've finished implementing the final major boss of Starlight Isles for the Ruthless route!

  • Along with the Compassion / Neutral end boss, that's 2/3 route variations done.

  • We're implementing the aforementioned major character interaction in the village.

  • Various village content is being implemented with available assets.

Dynamic Music: Koffin Keep

As mentioned before, one of the themes being remade (see our March 2023 Progress Report for important context) is that of Koffin Keep. When it came to figuring out how we wanted to handle this, we decided to experiment with something we've been planning to work with... dynamic music!

Here's what this means: as the player completes major objectives in the area, the background music will change between different track variants -- starting out more basic, and gaining more instruments based on area progression. Think of how Undertale handles its main menu music!

Currently, the track "Koffin Keep" has 4 different iterations -- each corresponding to their own level of progression (initial "exploration"/calm version, and three objective completion variants.)

Due to Koffin Keep being a nonlinear area, we felt it'd be better to shake things up with its music -- both to enhance the sense of progression throughout this section, and so players don't get bored with hearing the same track playing nonstop.

We're really looking forward to showing off these tracks once they're completed!

Wait, What's "Ruthless?"

We're glad you asked!

Back in April, we began internally discussing new route names. Here's why:

• Undertale never had any official route names, with "Pacifist" and "Genocide" created and universally accepted by the community.

• Our "main two" routes differ from Undertale's -- we want to have names which better reflect the direction we're taking, and distinguish them from Undertale's story events.

After a lot of brainstorming, we've decided on the following two names:

• "Compassion" -- previously Pacifist

• "Ruthless" -- previously Genocide

Due to spoilers, we can't delve into the exact reasons behind these names in particular -- though we're hoping that, as simple as these names are, they'll encourage some speculation here and there as to what'll be different.

Just because we're using new "official" names doesn't mean people aren't allowed to call these routes whatever they want, though! These are mostly for internal (development material and in-game files) and official documentation (i.e. wiki, devlogs, etc.) usage.

Let us know what you think!

That's it for this month's progress report!

We're really happy with how things are going, and the progress we've been making on major content for this area. Although we've had minor setbacks, they've allowed us to get even more creative with what we're doing -- though, within a reasonable scope.

Before we go: we've started answering character and developer asks again on our official Tumblr page! While we can't guarantee your ask(s) will be answered, feel free to read over what has been answered thus far -- and submit your own, if you want! Just please make sure to read the rules for asks.

Thanks for tuning in. We'll see you next time!

- Beethovenus and Team Switched

Dec 2020 - Demo Release

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