Methods: The Canada Files News

Finally, Canada is here... in beta!



This past week I worked harder than I've worked in a very long time to finish File 01, and I'm very pleased to announce that The Canada Files beta has now been launched for Patrons, Afdian Sponsors, and LockedOn Discord members.

There's still a lot of work to do before I can release the early access version. I need to make a trailer, extras, the elaborate Hangouts feature, and of course, the chapters need to be translated into Chinese first. I don't know when all of that will be ready, but my plan is to keep developing the game as it is being translated, so the next file will be able to come out sooner.

In the meantime, enjoy the beta and getting a first look at the game!

Until next time!

— LockedOn.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2063530/Methods_The_Canada_Files/

View the backlog of devlogs here on my website!

Support the game's development on Patreon!

My break is over, and I've returned to Canada...



This past week I completed a lot of music tracks, and the music for File One is now 77% complete. I have also finished the most difficult part of Chapter 2 — the large number of unique methods minigames.

Chapter 2 has been the main reason File One has taken over fifteen weeks of work. It has the most difficult background to create, the most new UI elements I've ever had to create for one single chapter, as well as the most complex coding.



A screenshot from Chapter 2

I was really stuck on these methods minigames — Struess's in particular. How do you make hacking into a simple minigame? There are a lot of different answers, and I looked at my favorite hacking minigames from other games such as Deus Ex Machina: Human Revolution. However, Methods minigames are not as involved as that, and the idea of coding something similar was so daunting that I just felt it was best to keep things as simple as possible.

The methods minigames in File One are about as simple as the ones in Methods — as I make more files there's an opportunity to make them gradually get more complex.

But with that out of the way, I'm very hopeful about meeting my two week deadline for the beta. File One has been a much greater struggle than I ever anticipated, so I'll be very glad to finish it.

Until next time!

— LockedOn.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2063530/Methods_The_Canada_Files/

View the backlog of devlogs here on my website!

Support the game's development on Patreon!

The latest news from Canada!



So with my hourly goal method, I was able to get a lot done this week. Chapter 2's expressions are now all fully coded. I now have just the three methods minigames remaining before Chapter 2 is complete. I realized I needed more music, so that completed percentage bar has dropped down to 60%.

My holiday break starts next week and continues into mid-December. Though I might be able to get some writing done, I don't know if I will put out another devlog after then.

Currently I'm really hoping that I can begin beta testing File 1 around New Years. I've noticed that I always get more motivated around the end of the year, and I'm sure this time will be no exception.

My Patreon will remain active during my break however, with scheduled behind-the-scenes posts every week.

Enjoy the holidays, and keep an eye out for some upcoming sales!

Until next time!

— LockedOn.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2063530/Methods_The_Canada_Files/

View the backlog of devlogs here on my website!

Support the game's development on Patreon!

A brand new devlog from Canada!



Last week I began breaking up working sessions into hourly goals that I needed to hit. Creating a sense of urgency really helped me get started, and with this technique, I was able to finish a lot of UI that I may not have otherwise gotten done within the week.

I'm really hoping to finish everything in Chapter 2 by next week. Currently the biggest challenges I have to completing it are needing to create three more new minigames, and making the casefile.

I will also be taking some breaks over the winter holidays, so my devlogs will briefly become a little more irregular. However it will be back to weekly posts on Tuesdays by January.

Until next time!

— LockedOn.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2063530/Methods_The_Canada_Files/

View the backlog of devlogs here on my website!

Support the game's development on Patreon!