I made my last post almost a year ago with the best of intentions: to engage with my audience and work as an author/programmer full time while working a part time job. Then one positive pregnancy test, house purchase, promotion, and child-birth later—here we are. So here’s another update on the status of all my projects and where they currently stand.
Devilspawn
Due to a variety of circumstances, including those mentioned above, the most recent round of beta reading for Devilspawn was brought to a screeching halt around June. Since then, I have only sent out 3 chapters. Since consulting with some of my beta readers and author friends I have once again decided to split Devilspawn into three separate volumes, as each of the three sections of the novel can stand alone, enhanced by the other two. I have lately been working on compiling the first of those volumes, which has been beta read and is entering another round of editing.
Other Writings
On that note, after struggling for some time with finishing the next short story in the Maxwell Novacek series, I have decided to put it on hold for the foreseeable future. It is likely that I will return to it at some point in time, but I do not know when that will be. I have, however, begun working on other writings, set in the Paladins of the Crimson Cord universe of Lorelai (though with significantly less traumatic elements), that the perfectionist part of my brain has a much looser hold upon. I hope to be able to give at least some preview to them soon, though I am planning on releasing them as novellas rather than online short stories (I may still post excerpts online after the novellas have been released).
Lady Luck’s Chosen Few
One area where I have made a lot of progress is in my work on Lady Luck’s Chosen Few. Within the past year, I have gained a much stronger sense of direction and have a more solid foundation prepared that I have already pushed to the website, with expanded rules hopefully on the way. There is still work to be done, but I believe the new state of LLCF is far more playable and far more in line with my original vision.
Kyklos
Finally, we come to Kyklos. I don’t want to supply any promises I may not be able to keep, but I believe I may at least have a gameplay demo ready within the next year. I have made significant progress in the last year fine-tuning my pixel-art capabilities and learning how to better structure the overall code for the game. As of yet, I do not have any new images I’m ready to release, but I will be making a roadmap post with accompanying images whenever I do.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in following my progress, consider subscribing to XavierMakes so you never miss an update. If you wish I would have more progress, consider spamming the Facebook page instead of asking my family members when my next story is coming, so I have a constant reminder that people actually want to see more. Until next time (hopefully in less than a year from now), happy making!
Xavier Makes 