06/18 Developer's Letter

[h2]🏴‍☠️ Hello, Everyone[/h2][p]I'm Cho, CEO of POLYMORPH.[/p][p]Today, I’m writing to you not as a developer or a CEO, [/p][p]but as a fellow traveler in the long journey of IfSunSets.[/p][p]On behalf of the entire team, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude. [/p][p]Whether you’ve shared your thoughts, left a review, or simply explored our world—we see you, [/p][p]and we thank you. It’s because of you that we’re still here, still building, and still dreaming.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Your Voice Is Our Compass[/h3][p]In uncharted waters, we’ve had one guiding light: your voices.[/p][p]Every suggestion, every note of encouragement, and even the toughest criticisms—we’ve heard it all. We’ve read every word and held onto every story. [/p][p]Some changes you’ve asked for may take time. [/p][p]Others are already underway. [/p][p]But know this: everything we’re doing is built on the foundation of your feedback.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]You’ve been our North Star, and we’re charting this course together.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Combat Is Being Completely Reimagined[/h3][p]You told us where the combat fell short—shallow depth, missing stealth, limited weapon variety, a fairy system that felt disconnected, and AI that didn’t hold up. Rather than patching over the cracks, we’re rebuilding from the ground up.[/p][p]What’s changing?[/p]

• [p]Each weapon will have its own unique combat style.[/p]
• [p]We’re introducing a new system: Phantom Limbs, unlocking new layers of strategy.[/p]
• [p]Parrying, executions, and tactical skill expression will finally come alive.[/p]
• [p]AI is getting smarter, deadlier—and more fun to fight.[/p]

[p]It won’t be flawless at first. But we’re committing to an evolving system that can grow with you.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Fairies Are Becoming True Partners[/h3][p]We heard you loud and clear—our fairies deserved better.[/p][p]They’ll now have skill trees, distinct combat roles, and deeper customization. [/p][p]They’re no longer just passive companions—they’re your allies. [/p][p]They’ll grow with you, fight with you, and become part of your journey in a meaningful way.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Controller Support Is Coming[/h3][p]Yes, we’re working on full controller support![/p][p]More than just enabling it, we’re optimizing for comfort, intuitive control, [/p][p]and a seamless experience across input devices. [/p][p]Whether you prefer a mouse or a joystick, IfSunSets will feel right in your hands.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]No Detail Is Too Small[/h3][p]It’s not just the big systems—we’re polishing the smallest corners too.[/p][p]Here are just a few of the updates in progress:[/p]

• [p]Collection note registration[/p]
• [p]Cosmetic overlays[/p]
• [p]Campfire/furnace toggle options[/p]
• [p]Animal Trophy crafting and custom placement[/p]
• [p]Inventory sorting[/p]
• [p]Smarter key binding options[/p]

[p]Every click, every menu, every moment—we want it to feel just right.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]From Knowing Nothing to Here[/h3][p]When we first began building IfSunSets, we had no background in game development.[/p][p]We didn’t even know what a game engine really was. [/p][p]We learned by translating documentation, reverse-engineering examples, [/p][p]and experimenting late into the night. One small step at a time, we taught ourselves everything.[/p][p]We stumbled. We almost gave up—more than once. [/p][p]But through every setback, your encouragement pulled us forward.[/p][p]Now, here we are. Not at the finish line, but proudly at the midpoint. [/p][p]And that’s something we owe entirely to you.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]“Now Is the Time to Polish, Not Expand”[/h3][p]That quote came from one of you, and it hit us hard.[/p][p]You’re right. It’s not about stuffing in more content—it’s about refining what we have. We’re not abandoning new content, but we are shifting our focus. We want each system to feel robust and meaningful before adding more.[/p][p]We want to make something that doesn’t just end, but endures. Something global. Something real.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]So We Made a Big Decision[/h3][p]To do all this—to rebuild, refine, and grow—we needed more than time. We needed resources. Early Access alone wasn’t enough.[/p][p]So, I made a personal choice: I took out a mortgage on my home to fund this vision.[/p][p]Thankfully, Smilegate stepped in to support us as well. That funding allowed us to:[/p]

• [p]Expand the development team[/p]
• [p]Build a proper animation pipeline[/p]
• [p]Set up internal QA and stress-testing processes[/p]

[p]It’s a risk. But we believe it’s one worth taking.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]And We Promise[/h3][p]Here’s what’s ahead:[/p]

• [p]July – Combat overhaul goes live[/p]
• [p]October – Maritime content update[/p]
• [p]More updates after that, each building on the last[/p]

[p]The early stages may feel rough. But we’ll listen, iterate, and improve—together. And years from now, we hope this is a game you still return to. Not just for content drops, but for gameplay that makes your heart race.[/p][p]As always, we ask ourselves again.[/p]

[p]“Is this what our players truly want?”[/p]

[p]That question is our compass. And your voice will continue to guide us forward.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]And the Journey Ahead..[/h3][p][/p][p]We won’t stop we cross them out and IfSunSets becomes what it’s meant to be.[/p][p]We hope that when you look back on this game, you’ll think:[/p]

[p]“A new, trustworthy developer was born here.”[/p]

[p]Thank you for walking with us, believing in us, and being patient through it all.[/p][p][/p][p]On behalf of the IfSunSets development team,[/p][p]- Cho, CEO of Polymorph Studios -[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][h3]P.S.[/h3][p]Director Chae just had a baby![/p][p]The studio’s first baby—our tiniest crew member yet.[/p][p]He’s adorable, he’s inspiring, and he’s a reminder of why this journey matters.[/p][p]So here’s to sleepless nights, new beginnings, and even bigger dreams.[/p][p]Go daddy![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p]