Wow, how is this the first time I've made an announcement for this game page?  Huh.

Been thinking about this game lately.  It's my favorite game I've ever made.  Clash is my favorite character I've made.  This game deserves some special treatment.  And not just in the form of sequels, of which there are two interactive-fiction sequels and a second full-fledged sequel on the way (more on that later).

So here's a whole bunch of updates about how I would like to show my favorite piece of work that special treatment

~*~

Firs things first: I'm going to add a bonus episode.

The bonus episode is going to be Clash: Steel Barista, but ported over to RenPy.  It's going to stay true to its interactive fiction roots; I visualize an image of a corkboard that collects photographs as the story goes on for the graphics.  It may also contain a broad strokes SFW retelling of Curious Set (not linking that one here, its filthy; I'm not saying that to be shameful for i am not ashamed, I'm saying that as a warning), just so that all of the canon is together in one game before I move on to the sequel.

This update may also contain small updates to the UI.  Nothing too crazy, just some potential visual updates so that its not JUST the default RenPy UI.  Like a new texture for the dialogue boxes, maybe a little magnifying glass on highlighted menu choices, things like that.  And any spelling errors or grammatical issues that stand out to me would be corrected.  

And with this update would come a brand new...price tag!

This update would add a $4.99 price tag to the game.  Now, the original will still be free.  Its been free this long, it seems unfair to me to charge for it.  But this updated version - I don't know, Director's Cut?  Complete Edition? Actually, I really like the sound of the latter - would require payment.

Because I am considering releasing this  Complete Edition on Steam as well.  And considering the $100 entry price and all the trouble that platform and its users gave me the last time I gave it a try...yeah, I'd be wanting payment.  :-/  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THE STEAM RELEASE IS NOT A GUARANTEE.  AND IT CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING FOR AWHILE; AT LEAST UNTIL I HAVE A STABLE PAYCHECK AGAIN IN THE FALL.  BUT IT IS A POSSIBILITY I AM WILLING TO MAYBE TRY.

So that's the biggest announcement.  I am returning to Clash: Robot Detective to give it some much-needed touch-ups and to add the mini-sequels to it.  And it might get rebranded as "Complete Edition" and sold on Steam, as well.

~*~

Now I mentioned I would talk briefly about the sequel.  This is SUPER brief because I'm still trying to churn up story ideas for it.

The title would be Clash: Blue Mirage.  I got this title from an AI-powered prompt generator when I fed it info about Robot Detective and then told it to describe a sequel.  The name "Blue Mirage" conjured up an image of a ghost in my head; that led to the setting.  While the first game was set on a high-tech cruise ship, this sequel would be set in a high-tech haunted mansion.  What was once a fun Fall location has become a true horror show, and its up to Clash and his assistant (haven't decided if this will be the same character from the first game or if its another temporary assistant like the one from Steel Barista was).

That's...all I got right now.  And honestly, that last sentence I just thought of while writing this update.

I haven't even decided on an engine yet.  The original Clash was in RenPy.  The mini-sequels were made with Ink.  I'm genuinely having trouble deciding on a return to RenPy or a switch to RPG Maker.  I've been working with RPG Maker a lot lately and I love that engine so much.  But should the series stay loyal to its roots instead?  And if I do switch, do I switch to VX Ace or MV?  These are the sorts of problems I wish I had more, these problems are manageable.

Well, whatever.  Point being is, I'm brainstorming a sequel.  All I have is a title - Clash: Blue Mirage - and a setting - high-tech haunted mansion.  And I'm trying to decide whether it'll be made in RenPy or RPG Maker.

~*~

And the final announcement, through a series of tweets and events I have been inspired to try my hand at making a Clash plushie.  If it turns out well, I might make more than one.  If those more-than-ones turn out well, I might sell them on my Kofi page.  Since apparently, you can open stores on Kofi now.  But that is a big honkin' IF.  

And to add to that big honkin' IF, if I did start up a store on my Kofi then I would have to figure out other game-related merch to sell on it.  Because it would feel weird to me to sell only one thing.  But what would I even sell?  Stickers, I guess.  Or maybe collectable postcards.  I can sew blankets really well, maybe I could print out the game covers on fabric and sell blankets?  LOOK I'M JUST TYPING OUT LOUD HERE OKAY

These plans are a bit of a moonshot, to be frank.  So we will see what happens.  The more I think about it, the more I think this would be a really good activity for me.  Managing my own little store and all its merch would keep my brain active.

~*~

And that's the plan!  tl;dr:

• Clash: Robot Detective will be getting an update this year, fixing spelling errors and tweaking the UI and adding a bonus episode based on the mini-sequels.  It will be called the "Complete Edition" and will be available to buy for $4.99; the original will still be available.  This is definitely going to happen and will happen this year.
• Clash: Robot Detective - Complete Edition may also arrive on Steam.  This is a huge possibility and may happen either later this year or earlier next year if it happens.
• A sequel called Clash: Blue Mirage is in pre-development.  This is definitely going to happen but I don't know when it will release as I am still trying to sort out story beats and engines.
• Clash plushies (and other merch) may soon be available to buy on Kofi.  This is a huge possibility and may happen either later this year or earlier next year if it happens.

You're all awesome and thank you for your support.  ;-)  Seriously, the positive response to Clash and his adventures on the Violet Skies has blown me away.