January came and went like a wrecking ball--but I'm now finally, officially settled into my new home after an exceptionally protracted out-of-state move, and the new home came with a new story to tell: Other Spheres, created in a month and freshly released for the "Sealed with a Kiss" visual novel jam!
Callisto (fully voiced with both masc and fem options) is on a long-term deep-sea research dive, with only the sea, cherished memories, and an irascible on-board AI for company. But while they adore the sea, it turns out the sea might reciprocate the feeling—and in ways Callisto isn't prepared for.
A sci-fintasy romance adventure, created in a month for the Sealed With A Kiss Visual Novel Jam!
Content Warnings: This game is intended for mature audiences, as it includes suggestive dialogue and both spoken and visual depictions of mild intimacy; potentially disturbing sounds, imagery, and language which may not be suitable for all players. The setting involves the deep sea, and there is a possible death that can occur. Some animations (e.g., shaking, pulsing, and flashes) may not be suitable for all players.
This was a journey both rewarding and challenging in equal measure (not least because I'm now between five and eleven hours outside the rest of the team's time zones!), and is by far the most ambitious jam project I have worked on before. I've been incredibly lucky to work with a remarkable--and large!--team, including some of my favorite recurring voice talents (Chase Via, Vanessa Benoit, Dylan Keeler, and our dual Callistos, Gina Leigh Smith and CobaltKobold)! I am honestly still reeling from how charming, emotive, and powerful every single performance is, and so excited to finally be able to share them with the larger world!
Once more, EeeCee stood at the helm in directing live recording sessions with the actors, and rounding out our audio we have the absurdly talented team ofJohn Åhlin providing a phenomenal original soundtrack, and Senaeris creating deliciously atmospheric soundscapes and voice processing.
Visually, I had the treat of benefiting once more from toffl's stunning background art, and for the first time got to play with AliceQuinnArt's wildly detailed and expressive sprites, and squeal over Rex 'Daemon' Beck's little fishies of the deep dark depths (which was such a treat!).
Our UI team is comprised of Rinnuah's lush design and the inimitable Windchimes' coding expertise, and I cannot possibly fail to highlight the incredible, incredible work of our programmers: Elckarow, EqualsM3rc, and Ullr managed to take the flat pages of the script and make them move and breathe in ways I have never before been able to dream of accomplishing!
Over the last few years of creating stories, each project along the way has come to hold an important place in my heart, different as they all are--but I have to say, this one feels very special to me. I am delighted to be able to share it with the world now, and I hope it comes to hold a special place for some of you, as well.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
So since my next swak game will likely have more old y2k web vibes like viya, I was wondering if anyone wants their games advertised in the ad spots? Just comment your game and I'll add it into my game when the time comes. I'll try to make them clickable links.
This is more fun than just making up ads for my game. Actually, it doesn't just have to be a game, if you want your blog or book or anything else to have a silly little feature as an ad, let me know ^-^
Single vampires in your area was a joke about popup ads so for the next game were going with silly infomercial vibes.
I'll have a moodboard up tomorrow.
Images from vampires in your area 👇 to give you an idea of what I mean
Witch is NG is a dramatic, romantic (?) visual novel set in a fantasy world, following the story of Allin and their search for love.
Break up with your toxic, cheating, witch of a girlfriend and either (1) figure out what the hell her deal is or (2) accept comfort from your beloved friend.
Bouquet in hand, Allin, an asexual succubus, arrives at the town formal hoping to surprise their girlfriend, only to find her in the arms of another! Will they seek solace (and scalding "I-told-you-so's") from their longtime friend? Or will they ignore the red flags just a moment longer?
Note: This visnov is finishing up development and was released early to meet game jam deadlines (SWAK 2026 & Ace Jam!). Sprites/animations may be missing in the last half of the game.
Please check out the game page for Content Warnings!
Even demons pray for love! Endure a public breakup, seek closure, and maybe fall in love with your best friend.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Rise and shine, familiar! It's the start of the new year, and you've got all these tasks ahead of you before the sabbath at All Hallow's Eve towards the year's end. Tend to your master, tend to your duties, and develop a tendency for poking your nose into situations where they don't belong.
After all, a good familiar knows when to back down and when to step forward. And you're the best of them all, aren't you?
A/N: A collaboration I did with friends Katherine and Rae! Katherine once again being the writing GOAT while Rae upped the quality of the art tenfold from what it usually is. Not my proudest gui but overall a very solid game.
I have super mad respect for all the working single parents out there. You guys and gals are rock stars. I barely survived one week, and I can't wait for my partner to return home tomorrow.
I'm typing this devlog fueled by two hours of sleep. (Did you know toddlers are some of the most headstrong creatures in the universe!? If they don't want to sleep, there is nothing you can do about it, and they don't care about your feelings. Nuh-uh.)
All joking aside, it's been a tough week all around, but the little one and I had some quality bonding time.
More excitingly, we did it! We managed to finish our sealed-with-a-kiss entry. (Yesterday, at one stage, I was coding with one hand while standing and rocking the toddler in my other arm for several hours.)
Those of you who don't really care for the weekly ramblings can go over to the page right now to play Thalassaphilia. (It takes place in the Infinite Stars Universe.) - If you enjoy it, please give it a positive rating; if you hated it, reach out so we can fix it (or bribe you) so as not to leave a negative rating.
If the reception is great enough, we might continue developing Thalassaphilia into a full side project, but for now, my attention will be returning to Infinite Stars from next week.
I'm immensely proud of the team for pulling this off in less than a month.
Also, a quick reminder that we'll be increasing our Patreon tier prices from the 1st of March 2025. I'll continue reminding everyone each week, as I don't want anyone to feel surprised by this move.
I'm off to try and do some more work, possible take a nap if the toddler will allow me, but I hope you all have a fantastic and peaceful weekend! Stay safe, and stay kind. <3
Let me pay the postman
Who sends my s.w.a.k. away
Let me pay with penance
With pennants and reminders
Remainders of my taxes
Waxing moons and bent and broken spoons
Let me pay the postman
Who sends my parcel to partners
With letters laced with love
Doodles and daliance
And not delays
But in many many ways
Let me pay the postman
Who sends my love’s my love
With scribbles and scrabbles
Points both high and low
With leaves and petals
And victorious medals
Please postman let me pay
@env0writes C.Buck
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Photo by my friend Mika
