Reloader: test_subject News

[p]Hello, Reloaders![/p][p]January 2026 is already halfway through! In fact, January is a month with special meaning for me.[/p][p]It’s the month when the previous title, Reloader: Test Subject, was released! It also happens to be my birthday month. ; }[/p][p][/p][p]And before I knew it, development on Reloader: Subject Alpha is approaching its fourth year.[/p][p]It’s been a long journey, full of ups and downs, but even when progress was slow, I never gave up and kept moving forward. [/p][h2]And today, I’m finally excited to share the very first trailer![/h2][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Alongside the trailer release, I’m also happy to announce the first official demo version of Reloader: Subject Alpha![/p][p]
[/p][h2]Reloader: Subject Alpha – itch[/h2][p]
[/p][p]You can choose between the Web version and the Windows version—whichever suits you best![/p][p] [/p][p]While the demo is still very short and represents only the early stages of the game,[/p][p]I hope it’s enough to show how Reloader: Subject Alpha has evolved compared to its predecessor, Test Subject.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]There is still a lot to improve and so much left to build. At times, continuing long-term development can feel overwhelming.[/p][p]Nevertheless,[/p][p]Knowing that so many of you are supporting this project—and waiting with excitement for this “bullet-counting / reload-action” game that I personally love—is the greatest motivation that keeps me working on Reloader.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you sincerely for your continued support, and please look forward to the future growth of Reloader: Subject Alpha![/p]

Today is not just the start of a new year, but also a meaningful day for me—it marks the 3rd anniversary of the release of Reloader: Test_Subject! That also means we’re entering the 3rd year of development for Reloader: Subject Alpha.

To celebrate this milestone, I’ve put together a summary video showcasing the progress of Subject Alpha so far.


[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


[h2]Reloader: Subject Alpha Development Update[/h2]

It’s already been three years since the release of Reloader: Test_Subject on January 14, 2022. Although I didn’t immediately start developing Subject Alpha after that release, it’s been a long journey nonetheless!

While Subject Alpha still needs more time, I can feel it steadily moving toward completion. To mark the beginning of 2025, I’ve organized the current development status and a to-do list.

I can’t promise it will be finished soon, but it doesn’t feel like it will take an indefinite amount of time either! I believe I can showcase something pretty impressive later this year!


[h2]Development Status[/h2]

⬜️ To be done
🔳 In progress
⬛️ Completed

Visuals

⬛️ Core Reloader Character Graphics System: The system for rendering characters in Reloader: Alpha.

⬛️ Voxel and Normal Map Graphics System for 3D Environments: A graphics system for static objects in Reloader: Alpha.

⬛️ UI Graphics Style: The design of UI elements, balancing visuals, readability, and gameplay.

🔳 Character Resources: 2D pixel art graphics for various characters, including the player character. Only a few test characters are complete.

🔳 Weapon Resources: Voxel graphics for in-game weapons. Only a few test weapons are complete.

🔳 Background Decoration Resources: 2D and voxel background resources for in-game environments. Only a few test backgrounds are complete.

🔳 UI Item Resources: 2D pixel art graphics for items like guns and magazines shown in the UI.

🔳 Character Animations: 3D animations for characters. Most basic animations are complete, but additional event-specific and melee combat animations are needed.

⬜️ Cutscene Artwork: Large-scale images for cutscenes.

⬜️ Dynamic Effects: Various visual effects like explosions, shattering glass, smoke, and electrical sparks.

⬜️ 3D Map Resources: Textures for floors, walls, buildings, and background assets.

⬜️ Special Effects for Key Moments: Unique effects for memorable events in the game.


Game Systems

⬛️ Reload System: A detailed and segmented gun operation system including magazine changes and chamber checks, along with gun malfunction mechanics.

⬛️ Free Hands: A system allowing free actions, like throwing guns or magazines, holstering firearms, and picking up other weapons.

⬛️ Shooting System: A revamped shooting system allowing for more freedom than in Test_Subject, including point-blank shots and firing during fast movement.

🔳 Melee Combat System: A system for melee combat, hostage situations, and reloading during close combat. Most of the system is complete, but special actions for unique enemies and gameplay testing are needed.

🔳 3D Field Movement System: Similar to Test_Subject, but with more cinematic effects and enhanced movement possibilities in a 3D environment. Most core systems are complete, but further refinements are required.

🔳 Game Event System: A system for event scenes, including dialogues and actions. The core system is ready for implementing various event scenarios.

🔳 Enemy Spawn System: Enemies spawn dynamically based on stage conditions and player actions.

⬜️ Enemy AI: Behavior logic for enemies to react to the player’s actions and the surrounding environment.


Story and Level Design

⬛️ Game Story: It’s a secret!

⬛️ Level Design: The rough layout, stage progression, and stage gimmicks are complete.

⬜️ Stage Implementation: Concrete implementation of stages based on level design is needed.

⬜️ Music and Sound Effects: Work is needed.

PsychoFlux Ent. partners' games are on display at Busan Indie Connect Festival(BIC) 2023!

Meet us at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea, or visit bicfest.org to try games! (Some demos are also available through Steam.)


Our BIC 2023 participants:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2482920/Flower_in_Us

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2153950/Broken_Blade_Prelude

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2231170/Gravity_Castle

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1706210/Reloader_test_subject

Fixed an issue (hopefully) where the player's character sometimes wouldn't pick up a pistol during the tutorial, making the game unplayable.