massive scope-creep, sorry...

so almost 2 weeks ago I released a post stating the update is ready and I just have to solve a bug and finish with some minor things and yet only today Im releasing the update. so what happened? basically while trying to deal with the bug I got pretty tired and decided to work on more things. one idea led to another and in the end, I did more than I should've and that's what caused the huge delay. I basically tried to work on 2 updates although I wasn't done with the first. the bug I've encountered was just a by-product of a deep-rooted problem so I also had a hard time with that. anyways, what I was planning is in the previous post. I'll write here what Im releasing, what I decided to do and haven't yet and what to expect in the next update.

this update, "everything is terrible!", mainly focuses on the gameplay and enhancing the overall experience. It's called "everything is terrible!" because with how things went the player is at a disadvantage when they can't use their trigger ability which I'll introduce now.

so I'll start by soothing your nerves with the new abilities I've added. first of all, pretty basic but necessary, dash. As you can guess, dash makes you dash either forward or backwards depending on which key you press. it has a few seconds cooldown (3) and can be activated with the forward and backward keys (W, S or up-arrow, down-arrow). now onwards to the second ability, radiant heart. it might sound a bit majestic because it is. It's actually a pretty complicated one. this ability has a very long cooldown if you don't include its progress. it's more of a trigger ability than an active one. when you activate it (R) it will make the player's heart pulse. the mana-infused pulses stun enemies. the heart will beat 90 times with a delay of 4 seconds between each beat. after the 90th beat there will be a cooldown of 30 seconds before you can trigger the ability again. the pulses start from the player and expand until a certain size. each pulse is bigger than the previous and they follow the player.

That's it for the abilities. I've also attached a video showcasing them among other things.

so other than the abilities, what did I add?
so I didn't add much more things other than what I promised (abilities, dodge system and health system for the enemies). the health system just makes it so you have to hit enemies 2-3 times instead of once. I've also added a nice death animation. the dodge system is a chance-based dodge contrary to their timed jumping which, if succeeds, makes the enemies dash either to the left or right. I didn't add much aside from these and the death animations, just made small fixes like enlarging the map so it looks infinite. speaking about the map, for now until I make models a glass border will sign the limits. 

now that I've told you what I added. I'll move on to what I wanted to add and was going to but realized I've strayed too far from the deadline. so I wanted to implant some models but since it's my first time and it isn't as interesting as developing for me it's giving me a hard time. aside from the little death animation for enemies I didn't add any more. I plan to add a boss (with a model) and its unique cutscene, a model for a new ability and maybe a model for the default enemies. I'm not giving a date for the implanting of models since it's not the main priority but that's what I wanted to add in this update aside from the systems and abilities which were the main focus. 

so what will be the focus of the next update?
the main focus of the next update is improving the enemies' AI and making them more adaptive. I also want to add the boss but it will wait for the update after this one if I feel unsatisfied. because of the various advantages enemies will have (adaptive AI, health system and dodge system) the player will have a hard time fending them off so Im planning to add another ability but the same as the boss, if Im unsatisfied I'll have to wait. if I won't add the ability I'll make "invisible" updates. I'll just update small things such as the delay between the spawning of a new enemy so the player will have an easier time to play. the game is supposed to be for new players and for players that are familiar with the genre so I have to walk a thin rope between challenging and easy.

when will the next update be released?
following my failure to meet up with the deadline I sadly won't disclose a date. I will, however, update you via posts every week on Friday or anytime something major happens. I'm sorry that I can't tell you a date, I'm just afraid to disappoint.

as always, feedback is greatly appreciated and remember to take care of yourself :)
till the next time.