Lorn's Lure News

Long time no Steam update! It's been head down - focusing on development for a while now, so I apologize.

However, today I need your help: I put out a call for community translators on X, but it seems there is no representation for Chinese translators there! (maybe X posts don't reach China?)
[h3]
>> So I'm placing the application form here <<[/h3]

All the translations are there - filled with ChatGPT - but they need proof reading from humans, which is why I'm reaching out to you.

All the details are in the signup form.

I have representation for all the languages, but I'm primarily looking for more for these:

• Simplified Chinese
  
• Japanese
  
• South Korean
  

Translators will get a free copy of the game btw :)

[h2]How's Development Going?[/h2]
There has been LOTS of progress since my last update, so I'll just stick to what's left for launch:

• Complete community localization
  
• Fix some issues brought up during the Omega testing
  
• Another round of Omega testing, so if you didn't get into the other one, you may get into this one!
  
• Adding Easter eggs
  
• Maybe adding one more achievement for touching the glitch
  
• Graphics, effects and Environment details sweep to see if I can polish the visuals some more
  
• Cutscene improvements
  
• More Steam Deck testing
  
• If I have time, I'll try to get modding tools working before launch, but no promises
  
• Launch!
  

So I'm very close to launching! Hopefully before the summer wave of AAA games take up everyone's time :P

Stay tuned for more.

Come one come all! Closed Omega testing is now open for applications!!!

[h3]>>> CLICK HERE TO APPLY <<<[/h3]

[h3]NOTES:[/h3]

• This is access to the full length game!
  
• Download will be hosted on itch.io, not steam to avoid any issues with packages (and to speed things up frankly)
  
• It's not done yet - I expect some things to change after the Omega: additional settings, more credits, assets, achievements, localization, etc. before full release
  

Right now I'm looking for about 10-20 people. I'll add more if necessary.

Cheers!

And Happy New Year!

So I passed my 2023 goal..... HOWEVER - the closed beta is very very close to launching.
I just need to add a few final touches - so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say January it will launch!

Now a few of us in the Discord have always thought the word Beta didn't make much sense. It's the second letter in the greek alphabet, but it's the last build before launching?

Long story short, the closed beta will now be dubbed, the "Omega Build". Since it's the final build before release.

[h3]What has changed since the last update?[/h3]

• New Android design - now not just a single texture over the whole body :P
  
• All cutscenes complete (in between scenes, not during)
  
• Lots of bug fixes
  
• Added a few requested settings
  
• Better picture and video mode implementation
  
• Speedrun mode is now not the default!
  
• Some gameplay improvements
  
• All music was finished by Phrakture Music, Lorn's Lure's contract musician
  
• Better UI scaling
  
• Hold Interact to skip cutscenes vs press
  
• A bunch more things!
  

[h3]What's left?[/h3]

• Minor cleanup
  
• Performance Optimizations
  
• Steam Deck testing
  
• Actually figuring out how to run the beta through Steam
  

I don't have a fancy micro dev log this time since I'm hard at work putting the Omega Build together, so I hope the lists above can suffice for now - let's leave things as a surprise!

I have finally reached a point where the entire game is playable end to end.

Although I can't show anything from the last level due to spoilers, I will say that you get a grappling hook :)

You can see it in the footage below along with the new simulation level aesthetic though!

I'm now taking a stab at re-doing the first level more in the style of the first demo (some of you may remember). Lots of folks brought up how that one felt more open and didn't involve boring long climbing sections. So I'm taking the best of both demos and mashing them together!

[h2]Beyond this, it's all about details:[/h2]

• One more level design sweep just to make sure gameplay progresses nicely and story points aren't missing
  
• Cutscenes
  
• Revamp of the dialogue system to support localization
  
• Taking a stab at redesigning the HUD to be less intrusive
  
• Revamping the Hints system aesthetic
  
• I may add some style to the Scanning system
  
• I may re-implement the menu and settings system
  
• Adding some environmental life (lights, precipitation, environmental sounds, etc.)
  
• Finalizing the music
  
• Create the crystal levels
  
• A few bug fixes
  
• Beta
  
• Address beta feedback and bug fixes
  
• Steam Achievements
  

That may seem like a lot, but I feel lighter given how much is done already.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Until next time!

I've got another area complete, and only 1.5 left to polish!

Beyond that there's:

• 3rd detail sweep (shouldn't take as long as this second one, which was the brunt of the work)
  
• Creating the crystal levels (which is much easier than main story arc)
  
• Revamping a few systems
  
• Beta
  
• Bug fixing
  
• Steam achievements
  

So it's the home stretch after the 1.5!!!!!

[h3]In the mean time, here's a nano dev vlog[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

If you're wondering why it's even more condensed, it's because I'm taking care of a baby :)

Stay tuned for more!