The cool thing about creative endeavors is the more your create, and work hard at, the more you learn. And the more you learn, the more you improve.
The Closet Door has undergone a lot of changes over the years. I changed and the game changed accordingly. I grew and the game, story and characters grew with me.
Like I said, we improved. But when do you get to a point where you realize this is enough?
Recently when I released A Simple Twist of Fae, I looked back at my work for The Closet Door. I thought, maybe I should update this game to reflect the visual appeal of A SImple Twist of Fae.
After all, the latter was my newest project- surely it represents the most up to date and better version of my skills, right?
The art for A Simple Twist is its own thing. It's uniquely its own style, story, characters and vibe. But it's different. Not better.
I was able to make it because I improved so much with The Closet Door.
(constantly working on the backgrounds!)
My games so far have been fashioned to look like books come to life:
- Lake of Reflection is an old handwritten memoire- a journal
- The Closet Door is a storybook
- A Simple Twist of Fae is a manga style comic
It's no surprise to those who've played my available works that I have fun playing on the theme of the visual novel genre.
And I like what I've made so far! All of these stories carry themes of self exploration and self redemption. Of learning to see the many ways love takes form in our lives. Themes of truly smiling from the heart and the journey to that point.
I want to complete this game. It's become a word that must be spoken, a song that must be sung, a love that must be given - it must be shared. My heart wills it so.
And as I look at the art for this game, I see how I've improved over the years. How I've learned, how I've grown. I see the distinction of a story book design and how it looks good being itself. How the style breathes its own life and exudes its own vibe.
I really do feel like TCD holds its own. And that is such a good feeling!
I'm working my butt off guys. I have no idea how quickly I can get this thing done, but know I'm working at breakneck speed and trying to build something worthy of the feelings I have for it.
I'll be updating progress here quite often and maybe on Bluesky as well, so stay tuned!
