Sometimes Always Monsters News

There are a lot of different ways that ASM could have ended, and we've got storylines on chart for each of them. However, sorting the backend logic of all these continuities has been a real challenge for us, as one overlooked factor can cause a completely outrageous scenario to play.

We're currently working on making sure that every import is playing as intended, and that the new early-stage sequences are playing for the right players. Our update yesterday only got it halfway right and some of you saw a new scene erroneously. Apologies, we've updated the conditions in this patch.

If you think your reality isn't being respected, take a look at the cases outlined at the bottom of this post and see if there's an update relevant to you forthcoming. We've have a lot that'll be released in the next few days, and we want to make sure you understand the story as intended.

[h3]Here's what's in the update:[/h3]

• Giving flowers to Rose at Meaningful Motherhood now removes them from inventory
  
• Edited several typos while playing C&C with Sheena's friends in the arcade
  
• Moved a horse out of Kralskod's way
  
• Removed a duplicated line from Sheena's post-play sequence talk
  
• Made Sheena realize the day she played C&C on wasn't always last night
  
• Fixed an animation glitch when Casey calls the player in Gator Bay
  
• Edited a typo in Ruth's achievement "Swordsong Chronicles"
  
• Removed a suggestion to call Shelly if you already called her while on balcony
  
• Gave the spouse some things to say during your visit to the alien museum
  
• Shelly now gives greater warning about the boredom/tedium of skipping the tour
  
• Added an emergency rescue service to the phone while in the wastelands of Sequoia
  
• Prevented people from using any cell service while you're in the wastelands
  
• Added some additional confirmations that you've successfully imported a save in intro
  
• Prevented the player from unintentionally rejecting their lover's kiss during TV time
  
• Talking with bus friends now satiates loneliness
  
• Masturbating with a rubbook or tugbook now satiates loneliness for up to 3 times longer
  
• Dramatically decreased loneliness probability by 50%
  
• Added extra phone calls for those who left their spouse at home
  
• Increased duration of loneliness satisfaction after calling your spouse
  
• Fixed the lock on calling UNTER after visiting the psych ward
  
• Replaced missing art when Mel's paintings are put on the table
  
• Updated conditions for the new "Paid Parker" scene we added yesterday to only play for ASM players who paid $10k, gave Larry their journal, and did not get married

We also added temp conditioning for new early-game sequences for the following ASM imports:

1. Sam is alive, and MC is author and married
2. Sam or the MC is dead and haunting the other

These new scenes will greatly improve narrative clarity for certain ASM importers.
If you fit these cases, expect the next update (Build 410) or the following (Build 411).
If there are other import cases you think need addressing, please comment below.

Once more, thanks for your patience and feedback while we assure everything's working as intended.

- VD

We've been reading a lot of the feedback and doing our best to understand some of the issues people are having with the game. The largest being, people seem to be missing a lot of the game's content because they're very focused on writing their novel.

We want people to be aware that the game will not tell you to when or how to explore the cities, or lead you to the best content. If you stay inside and do nothing but write, there's a good chance you'll miss a lot of great stuff. So, we're adding a pre-game notice hinting so.

The second largest complaint was from import players who saved up the $10,000 to pay for Sam's gambling debt in ASM. Most in this case are confused about the continuity of the sequel, and why they're not playing as the protagonist they expect to be.

So, we're adding some extra content to reveal pieces of the story a little earlier in the game. This will help ensure players understand that their specific timeline has been considered much sooner.

Of course there are more complaints (many we agree with) that we'll be remedying in the near future. So, we thank you all for your feedback and helping us understand how things are presented.

[h3]Here's what is in the latest update:[/h3]

• Removed duplicate character from Spouse's epilogue
  
• Added preface to vignette scenes for context
  
• Posted a design philosophy explainer in preface to the intro
  
• Fixed issue with epilogue spouse changing sprite inappropriately
  
• Reverted leftovers back to their original design
  
• Prevented players from teleporting out of the epilogue by getting too drunk
  
• Updated prisoner "Lucy" sprite to appropriate female model
  
• Fixes for controller users unable to leave showers
  
• Trisha will no longer force you to smoke a cigarette after going to the club
  
• Cleaned up some typos in the C&C fantasy game with Sheena
  
• Allowed all gambling machines to update your status with the casino
  
• Prevented player from eating and sitting inside Shelly, while she's already on the couch
  
• Smoothed some party movement for groups going to the gun range
  
• Updated flower cart store wallpaper (no longer Bullet Burger)
  
• Changed actors in the film City of Kings
  
• Fixed an issue where some theater chairs forced endless movie watching
  
• Prevented players from watching a movie twice in a single theater showing
  
• Fixed an issue in the Gun Range where your spouse's sprite would turn into Yasi
  
• Made bus friends aware of Hermes' return after he goes missing
  
• Recipe for PB&J Sandwich now works as intended
  
• Prevented re-entry to Kingston Mansion once finished Alexa's adventure
  
• Fixed a hard lock with the Kingston Mansion attendant
  
• Once completed, book readings will now vacate from phone notifications
  
• Enabled player movement after they regain sanity from their final delusion
  
• Dream sequence trigger for import players who kept their book (paid Mr. Parker) in ASM
  
• Added the ability to feed treats and food to the dogs
  

The update should be live now, and ready for download. We hope that you find some changes here that you can appreciate, as we continue to steamroll any more bugs.

- VD

Launch day was crazy and we're so happy that so many of you have been playing through the game. The feedback has been great, but also embarrassing. When we set to launch, we genuinely thought the game was relatively problem-free.

While there haven't been too many game-breaking issues, we're getting a lot of reports about little issues that need to be solved. So, we are hammering them as fast as possible.

We're really grateful to those of you who encounter bugs, and report them. There's only so far our 2-man team can get when testing a game with this much variance, and so we appreciate the communication (especially our Discord crew). We will continue updating the game, until the game is issue free.

[h3]Here's what is in the latest update:[/h3]

• Fixed librarian's inability to recognize religious books
  
• Added new pathway in the "No Contest" path against the librarian
  
• Fixed all the chairs in the library to work properly with followers
  
• Added cinnamon to all Drug Stores
  
• Unlocked the doors to the Voodoo House in New Creole
  
• Fixed issue with incorrect Player / Rival names in finale
  
• Removed improper follower from spouse's epilogue
  
• Updated the portrait art of Lindsay to her final version
  
• Added post-quest recognition for Sheena
  
• Added extra one-time dialogue for Sheena after you play C&C
  
• Updated the home sink to allow players to wash hands
  
• Changed the home sink cabinet regarding permanence of toiletries
  
• Replaced (old) clothing with proper clothing after showering at home
  
• Slowed down some rocket hobos that caused infinite loops
  
• Fixed broken look with Detective Ricky that caused some to quit tour
  
• Prevented followers from re-entering the Church of Reflections
  
• Wrote a pinch of extra content for one of the endings (sleeps)
  
• Killed a man (or woman) named SoClose
  
• Implemented new verification system for wedding suit / dress display
  
• Added soap functionality to gym showers (improves hygiene more!)
  
• Returned clothes to player inventory after they shower in the gym
  
• Fixed the dialogue display for the jumping coach in New Creole
  
• Fixed some dialogue awkwardness with Soleil Park ticket vendors
  
• Reset score counters when you finish a game of Pocket Car League
  
• Removed lingering portrait from Spouse's conversation about article
  
• Deleted odd "shoe rack" comments from the bar wall
  
• Added reasons for spouse to let you go to Stalker Media alone
  
• Non-compliance with jail processing will no longer strip you naked
  
• Added spouse / friend spotters and watchers when working out
  
• Added new workout type Squattos on the southern benches
  
• Gave spouse some comments about tipping the comedian in the casino
  
• Applied appropriate portrait to Benny the bouncer
  
• Added hair to prisoner Lucy's sprite
  
• Game-wide fix for skipping delays during dialogue in cutscenes (sorry speedrunners!)
  

Expect another update tomorrow. There are still about 15-20 things in our Trello to fix.

If there's anything you want to let us know, leave a comment below or drop us a line in the Discord to keep us informed on your pressing concerns.

- VD

[h3]It's Finally Here[/h3] Sometimes Always Monsters is now available on Steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/441440/

After 6 years of development it's a pleasure to finally release this game. We're so glad that so many of you are enjoying it, and are slowly uncovering all of the options and variety that we have baked into this crazy RPG.

We are monitoring the forums and our Community Discord daily and will be pushing updates as needed. Feel free to drop us a note and tell us what you think of the game, who you chose to take on your journey, or anything else!

If you're curious how to import your save file from Always Sometimes Monsters then check out this article on our official website that goes over the process in detail. It's really as simple as copy & paste.

Finally, we wanted to thank everyone that helped us get to this point. Whether you backed the game years ago, or just spread the word today, this tremendous launch could not be what it is without your support. We appreciate your love for this project so much.

Enough said. Go play the game!

- VD

With only a month left until Sometimes Always Monsters finally releases, we've had a few questions about pricing. We thought we'd take the opportunity to make the announcements now so that nobody feels left out or misses their chance to get the best deal.

Across all storefronts, Sometimes Always Monsters will be $19.99 USD

We’re offering Steam Key pre-orders at VagabondDog.com for $14.99 USD

During the first week of release, we will be offering a more moderate discount.

Of course, even if you're already set to get the game on April 2, 2020, it would help us a lot if you wishlisted the game before launch day. It's like blessing us with your algorithmic influence!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/441440/

Finally, we've been posting some new screenshots on our Twitter. If you're just can't wait for release, hopefully some of these will help soothe the continuing agony of waiting.



Once again, we can't wait for the big day to finally arrive. April 2, 2020 is a lot closer than it seems, and we're thrilled that all of you are so excited to play the game.