HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We made it!!! And that’s nothing to sneeze at...it...OH MY GOD IT’S 2023. THE GAME IS RELEASING THIS YEAR. OKAY, OKAY IT’S HAPPENING. EVERYBODY STAY CALM.

Woo. Okay. I’m only low-key freaking out. The thing I am most nervous for is scoring Steam’s approval because it was such a headache last time. I also have fear of encountering a problem that I can’t solve. But I must have faith. We can do this.

Without further ado! Our End-of-2022 Progress Update!

First of all, I’m happy to declare that Band Camp Boyfriend is taking part in Steam Next Fest and we will be hosting two developer streams on Steam this coming February. Join us Monday 2/6 and Thursday 2/9 at 8pm EST as we play the first four days of band camp. Thursday’s stream will include never-before-seen content as we play beyond the end of the demo and to the end of Thursday! Be there!

(Still need to run a test so fingers crossed it works.)

Next, our lovely list...

It’s pinker than last time! :0

Soundtrack: Alex has finished the soundtrack!!!! And I have programmed it into the game!!! HOLY COW is this a great hurdle to clear! Alex is going to spend January revamping two of the older songs. She is toying with the idea of maybe composing one or two more if there’s time. But I’m still calling this...DONE. WAY TO GO ALEX!!! I can’t wait for you all to hear what an amazing job she’s done. I hope you cry like I do.

GUI: My friend has made phenomenal progress on the Extras menu and I don’t think we ever could’ve pulled this off without him. It’s still a work in progress, but the main structure is in place. It’s mostly just a whole bunch of little things that need cleaning up. The Gallery and End List are very close to finished! I imagine I’ll be spending most of my January working on this.

We were rather ambitious with this Extras menu (well, the whole game really RIP) so there are a lot of moving parts. Be sure to check it out once the game is in your clutches. :)

Video Editing: The credits are edited and implemented into the game! So is a video that plays when you unlock the final route, oooh. I still need to edit one last announcement video for the release.

Beta Testing: Beta testing is still on track for February-March. I plan to send the game out after Next Fest.

There are still a number of housekeeping things to do before the release such as setting up a website where you can view walkthroughs or a more detailed list of trigger warnings if you need them. But right now, we need to put all of our efforts into finishing the game. Baby steps!

I feel really good about where we’re at. We’ve been putting a lot of work in, especially in these past couple of weeks. We’ve rounded the final bend. I’ll see you for our final (wow my heart is racing as I type that) progress update on April 1st. Then it’s into home stretch!

Take care of yourself, Bandits! I hope 2023 treats you like the gem that you are. See you soon. <3

-Taylor