Captain Blacksword News

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Demo to become public in June.

100% more bird in the logo means a 100% better logo

Take a look at the store page! There are new screenshots and a boat load of new gameplay gifs in the description!

[h3]The Scarlet Macaw will fly by your side in singleplayer or co-op![/h3]


After strapping down the lads with a halyard line and making them play together I've discovered the game is significantly better with a macaw at your side. Not on your shoulder however. That's a mistake you don't make twice.

The Scarlet Macaw will have a simple bird brain intelligence that causes him to imprint and follow Captain Blacksword for a little while after he hatches. He'll grab coins and feathers while searching for secrets and avoiding enemies but he won't take over combat without second player guidance.

[h3]Transform into a bird! Wait, more bird?[/h3]


With all these bird related updates, should the game become "Captain Birdsword!?" Well, there will be more than one morph. Three morphs to be exact! A frigate bird, a ships rat, and... a kraken.

Yes, you will be able to devour an entire ship.

-and piracy has not been lost. Ship boarding and plundering is in the works.

[h3]Soon to come[/h3]


Next month I will be releasing another voyage report featuring live playtesting footage. That's right! All the charisma and charm of two random people tossed in a chair and told to smile for a camera while grappling with the controls of a game they are playing for the first time for your amusement and my edification!

Subscribe so you don't miss it! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszq4zo0dIe74sBWSzU5CBA

[h3]Release date when?[/h3]
Public demo slated for June.

I've spent months refining the art style while fixing old mechanics and polishing new features. In theory a full release could be just around the corner but in practice I'm holding this game to a high standard and that's slowing me down. These rock textures have been haunting me for months.

Before


After

This took far longer than any Captain should admit but nobody can deny the improvement.

Level design is up next and then I'll come back to artwork and story but until I have a fun game with memorable levels and mechanics, I won't pretend to have a release date.

Hop aboard the discord.gg/clambake server for frequent progress updates and community!

Fair winds to you all lads!
- Evan, Captain of Victorian Clambake

Avast!

I'm the Captain of this endeavor here to share a progress report.

Oh look, water!

Minigames are on the horizon starting with the ability to spot bonuses between levels. Spot a ship? Boarding begins! Spot an island? Have your skills tested or shop! Spot a sea monster? ... oops.

Bloody crabs, always getting on the poop deck.

More items have been made, starting with a Flintlock- just throw it away after shooting, reloading is for suckers.

What duotone weather we're having.

The Blacksword lightning flash is now applied to the entire scene rather than a single background layer for a striking moment of 2-bit colorblindness! *flashbacks of The Caribbean Sail ensue*

I am the metal detector.

Any pirate worth his salt can dig for treasure but our dear old Captain will now find something anywhere he digs where sand is, but, It won't always be something good. At least you won't hit a powerline in the 1700s... probably.

Just a castle... Maybe they'll let us use the bathroom if we ask nicely

Multiple new environments are underway and the levels are going to be loaded with content worth revisiting rather than drawn out copy-pastes. Any good arcade game knows that constant challenge rewarded with novelty is the way to draw your eyes to the screen and quarters from your pocket!

Even the clouds are coming after me now.

I wonder what's inside...

I've been sharing some spritework and the process that goes into it on https://twitter.com/Tophat_Scallop and https://discord.gg/clambake!


[h2]Closing notes[/h2]
Progress is slower than The Caribbean Sail but the extra 6-bits will be worth the wait. I'm estimating at least another half year before there's even a chance of release but another demo is in the cards for the next few months.

Thanks for joining me on this voyage and I hope to see you on the horizon!
- Evan Massie

P.S. Oh, and, Merry Christmas!

Captain Blacksword is ravaging the fathomless caverns of the gameplay demo and you can be too!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Here's a link to the Ko-Fi page if you'd like to try the game and give feedback before the next demo release: https://ko-fi.com/victorianclambake

Take a gander at the store page screenshots too because they've all been updated!

#SwashlightCoursekeepBuccoboss

If you've got ideas or questions in your head then join the Discord!



'Tis the first port-o-call for my musings!

We hope to have you come aboard! See you over the next wave!
- Captain of Victorian Clambake, Evan

Captain Blacksword's keel has hit the water and development is three sheets to the wind with many ports to watch the voyage!

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Did that teaser put some wind in your sails? Well then...

[h2]Feast yer eyes on the first episode![/h2]

Looking to cast your spyglass on more?



The infernal Twitter bird has you covered with development snippets and enemy sightings more frequently!

And for those of you yearning to play the demo first and give feedback to have the biggest influence on the development of this game before it goes public, join the Clambake Crew on Ko-fi and you'll receive access within the next few months!

If you have any questions or want to come aboard a ship full of pirates and nautical enthusiasts then here's the gangplank to the official Discord server!


- Captain of Victorian Clambake, Evan Massie.