Dev Blog #111 - An Open Letter, and Apology

Shawn Cross

Hey.. I perfectly understand and I just want to say that you have to take care of yourself first.. we will be waiting for your return so do not worry about us.. and even more I have to say "The Company" is absolutely awesome.. fantastic job!

Hey, I live and breathe one person development in my career. $10/month for something I've enjoyed for MANY months while waiting for you to get better is no big deal. I understand. (Just please give us a heads up if you do cancel entirely LOL)Anyways, get well. Then get back on track otherwise if it's in the cards.

Take care of yourself, seriously. As a fellow human being, I'd much prefer that you work on and take care of yourself rather than a (albeit very good) game. I've recently been diagnosed with depression myself, know that you're not alone.

You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anything or anyone else. Don't worry, we will be there for you when you get back.

Be kind to yourself. I have enjoyed this game and I am sure will continue to enjoy it. You have done a good thing and if you need to have a break, take it. Pause, breathe and just live.

Taking care of yourself is the most important thing. I really hope you are able to work through whatever problems are going on in your life.

Depression is a motherfucker. Your mental health and your physical well being are both way more important than The Company. I, at least, am supporting the development and developer of this game, and that includes setbacks, delays, and derailments. Take care of yourself. Also, if there's anything I or anyone can do to help with development, support or whatever, reach out.

sir take your time your well being is more then this game i will be here whenever you can do the next update.

Dylan Meyers

I'm so sorry to hear that all of this has happened, it seems you are coping relatively well however I would warn against the "Bound to happen" mentality. I did that to myself as well, and was told that it "Left me with no feeling of self-worth" because I saw myself as the only problem. It's good to accept what happened, but also know that it isn't all your fault! :) Side note: You push out content more frequently and are far more communicative even now then a LOT of Triple A game developers, so no one could possibly begrudge you now, in your time of need, that you needed personal time. I've always thought that developers should schedule off time, like this is a job so you should get vacation time and mental health days. Ease back into it, don't be like AnonymousMan (still love him tho), where he would jump right back in the saddle and fall off because he would burn himself out faster and faster. Please take all the time you need, you're a person first, great smut game developer after! :)

I'm a disabled veteran suffering from PTSD, major depression with suicidal ideation, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, night terrors, degenerative disk disease and a bunch of other crap. I'm on amantadine (mood), citalopram (depression), gabapentin (nerve pain), Flexeril (muscle spasms), mirtazaprine (sleep/mood), Omeprazole (acid reflux). I use an alpha stim unit (mood) and a tens unit (interrupts pain signals). Not interested in pity and not comparing against a situation I know nothing about, just listing what helps me and hoping it helps you. Get well. One day at a time.

Okay. We don't know each other, except that I know that you have created something I enjoy, and you know that I'm a patron. So while our connection is thin, we are humans, and we have a lot in common. :) I have struggled with anxiety and mild depression. People in my life have struggled with more, and I've shared part of that journey with some of them. I know what it feels like to have your emotions so overloaded that nothing you do brings you joy or happiness, even the things you used to love. The most important thing is that you're not alone. Even us patrons, who have little more than a virtual connection with you, are here with you. This too, shall pass. One day you will look back on this and reflect on how shitty a time it was for you. I'm confident that future you will be in a much better place. My advice: Don't worry about The Company for now. You don't want it to become an anxiety that turns into resentment. Come back to it when it brings you joy, and let it go when it doesn't. I think that if you take the pressure off yourself, you'll find joy in it again sooner than you think. Just my $0.02. :)

Eliza Fairwinds

I’ve backed you sense the company had an intelligence stat and I’ll still be here backing when you get back. Just take the time you need to get well first.

Health before fun, my friend. Take your time to get where you need to be. We’re (or at the very least I am) willing to wait.

take the time you need to get things sorted out

Westane

Damnit you guys... I said I wasn't going to cry today!

Zeal

I've backed you for over a year now, and in that time you've been one of the most consistent content creators I follow in the particular niche that The Company fills. The work ethic you've shown time and again means that I have 100% faith that things will eventually get back on track. Everyone needs some time to themselves to deal with their personal lives occasionally, so take all the time you need - I think most of us will agree that your mental health is the most important thing here!

Raw

I have backed you for at least a year and I will stand by you now. This year has been a shit show for all of us. I trust that you are doing what you can.

Jonathan

You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty for. Circumstances happened that were beyond your control. Take the time you need to heal. If you feel like you need a reason, just tell yourself you're not going to be able to produce a quality product until you're in the right mindset. But take that time. We understand. Especially this year.

Dabbling In Darkness

Hey there. I just subscribed to you like 4 days ago after enjoying your game for a few weeks. I don't really know how you've been running this Patreon or how often you normally post content. Your mental health is far more important. Your life away from this content is important. You've created wonderful content and we will be here when you feel human again. I'm sure all of us here love your writing but that cannot come above your mental health. I hope things get better and that your new meds help you make your way back to whoever you were before these things tore you apart. Stick in there. Things get better =)

Gegrafsd

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself! And don't feel guilty about it for our sakes! Mental health is as important as physical health.

As a backer I signed up to support the project AND the people behind it. Take care of yourself and as someone who also has to rely on some unpronounceable meds I hope it's clear you have plenty of support here.

robert olmstead

get healthy first and formost

Kachi Kucha

Take your time to recover and release content again when you're at a more stable head space, the communication is important and I'm sure backers would understand

BlissfulDarkness

I do not speak for other backers, but I support creative people who provide art that I enjoy. I don't view it as supporting a single project. I personally only stop backing when all communication just dies. Take the time for your personal life, keep us roughly, (we don't need the details) informed, and I think you are doing what Patreon is meant for: Being supported by your patrons to create art when the muse inspires you.

Mental health is more important than anything, If you need to take some time for mental time love and care, do so, to do otherwise will only cause more harm and danger for yourself, be well for you are not standing alone, we have your back

I'm not good with words, but I wish you nothing but the best in your daily battles with mental health. Take care!

Dont know about other backers, but I'm here to support you even if progress slows down. We all have personal lives and responsibilities. We're here to back you.

Get well and take care of yourself. It's more important than ever in these hard times! so stay safe, work on getting healthy, and enjoying life again!

Belly97

Sorry to hear about all your troubles, take some time to yourself if you need it. Your mental health is more important than progress on the game so do whatever you need to do to get yourself back to a safe and healthy place.

Wandrer

(Where by "like" I think most of us just mean "we are here and support you and hope you are OK".)