- Thread starter X0R
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How come I never saw this game before! Art looks amazing and story seems solid, on my watchlist for sure, keep up the good work dev 
The demo plays well, but somehow I don't understand whether this game is now available to buy somewhere, or whether that was all the content after all. When I tried to find out more, the project itself seemed to have an unpleasant kickstarter past. Does anyone here know more about this?
I was one of the Kickstarter backers. The game is not finished yet. Was supposed to be finished in 2023......An updated demo was just released. The developer gives 1 update per month and they are usually the same: Not as far along, should be done by now, rough times this moth.
Testerguy19
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- Nov 11, 2018
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Wow i really thought this was gonna be out in 2023 as per my comment nearly 4 years ago, I'll definitely wait for this one to come out since the demo started way back in 2020. I've got a question, does anyone know the names of the talented artists in this picture via the Kickstarter page? I missed out on purchasing the artbook 2 years ago (and hopeful that this will be part of the official launch release along with OSTs as DLC)
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
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May 2025 update
It feels difficult to follow up an update like last month's, which offers backers something substantial to chew on after the long development process so far, when I can't share something of similar magnitude this time. I won't be able to put something like that out every month, but it's a bit hard to go back to more measured progress updates, even if they correspond to a larger amount of actual game progress.
I've been moving forward on Alexa's route since the last update. While the major beats of each of the routes have been worked out for some time, there's always some exploration in the details. Just recently, it's been leading me to an additional spate of food writing, something that wasn't originally intended to be a major feature of the game, but since a surprising number of people asked for more of it at the original time of launch, I've been trying to hit opportunities for it where they come.
Since I was once involved with the translation of a Japanese VN which had, despite its positive qualities, a bizarre weakness in its writing about food which always bothered me, my approach to the subject in Complex Relations might also be a way of working out my frustration with a story which was outside my power to change.
This is actually a significant turning point in Alexa's route, and one I'm still in the process of working through. The key scenes have already been written, but for the sake of the game's pacing, I decided it would be better to rework some of them to read in parallel through a perspective select, rather than in sequence as they did originally. The emotional beats here are going to be of major importance later in the route, but I don't want them to overshadow other elements at this point in the story, so I thought it would be better to change the emphasis a bit. I'll look forward to showing you all a final version that lives up to my intentions for the route.
It feels difficult to follow up an update like last month's, which offers backers something substantial to chew on after the long development process so far, when I can't share something of similar magnitude this time. I won't be able to put something like that out every month, but it's a bit hard to go back to more measured progress updates, even if they correspond to a larger amount of actual game progress.
I've been moving forward on Alexa's route since the last update. While the major beats of each of the routes have been worked out for some time, there's always some exploration in the details. Just recently, it's been leading me to an additional spate of food writing, something that wasn't originally intended to be a major feature of the game, but since a surprising number of people asked for more of it at the original time of launch, I've been trying to hit opportunities for it where they come.
Since I was once involved with the translation of a Japanese VN which had, despite its positive qualities, a bizarre weakness in its writing about food which always bothered me, my approach to the subject in Complex Relations might also be a way of working out my frustration with a story which was outside my power to change.
This is actually a significant turning point in Alexa's route, and one I'm still in the process of working through. The key scenes have already been written, but for the sake of the game's pacing, I decided it would be better to rework some of them to read in parallel through a perspective select, rather than in sequence as they did originally. The emotional beats here are going to be of major importance later in the route, but I don't want them to overshadow other elements at this point in the story, so I thought it would be better to change the emphasis a bit. I'll look forward to showing you all a final version that lives up to my intentions for the route.
I like the game but i feel like it will take for ever to seen it complet
Just wonder if any other game out in f 95 ( better if finish ) exist...
Just wonder if any other game out in f 95 ( better if finish ) exist...
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
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June 2025 update
Once again, we're approaching the time of year Complex Relations is actually set in. I find myself wishing a lot recently that I could be spending more time out in nature, experiencing the sort of environment the characters are, but unfortunately I don't have the chance to do that much this year. But then, I first wrote the game's demo in midwinter, so I'm trying to connect with that feeling of nature through working on the game, rather than connecting with nature in order to inspire myself to write.
We're coming on a part of Alexa's route that I'm looking forward to, where I start working with new locations that don't appear in any other routes in the game. Every route features some scene locations which don't appear in the others (something I deeply appreciate MsCatMermaid's work on,) and it gives me a nice chance to let the characters play off their environment a bit.
It'll still be a while before I actually have those visual assets though, so I'll be working with placeholders for a while. Fortunately, there are enough references of real life locations in the Adirondacks for me to work from that I have a good basis to establish what all the scenes should actually look like.
I have to do a fair amount of picking and choosing, because the plot isn't really that constrained in terms of which locations they visit. But even if the lakehouse isn't really located at a specific, precise part of the Adirondacks, I'm trying not to send them around to places based on real-life locations which are impractically far away from each other. Driving from one end of the Adirondacks to another actually takes quite a long time! My sense of geography is actually really bad, so I have to rely a lot on Google Maps for this, but I'm doing my best.
Once again, we're approaching the time of year Complex Relations is actually set in. I find myself wishing a lot recently that I could be spending more time out in nature, experiencing the sort of environment the characters are, but unfortunately I don't have the chance to do that much this year. But then, I first wrote the game's demo in midwinter, so I'm trying to connect with that feeling of nature through working on the game, rather than connecting with nature in order to inspire myself to write.
We're coming on a part of Alexa's route that I'm looking forward to, where I start working with new locations that don't appear in any other routes in the game. Every route features some scene locations which don't appear in the others (something I deeply appreciate MsCatMermaid's work on,) and it gives me a nice chance to let the characters play off their environment a bit.
It'll still be a while before I actually have those visual assets though, so I'll be working with placeholders for a while. Fortunately, there are enough references of real life locations in the Adirondacks for me to work from that I have a good basis to establish what all the scenes should actually look like.
I have to do a fair amount of picking and choosing, because the plot isn't really that constrained in terms of which locations they visit. But even if the lakehouse isn't really located at a specific, precise part of the Adirondacks, I'm trying not to send them around to places based on real-life locations which are impractically far away from each other. Driving from one end of the Adirondacks to another actually takes quite a long time! My sense of geography is actually really bad, so I have to rely a lot on Google Maps for this, but I'm doing my best.
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
- 266
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July 2025 update
We're deep into midsummer now, and while the script lately has been following the protagonists through the wilderness, I've been stuck indoors for most of the past month. What experience of nature I've had recently has had to come vicariously through the characters, for whom it's thankfully not quite so swelteringly hot out as it is here.
For the first time in a while, I don't have screenshots of the newest content to share, because the backgrounds for the latest content don't exist yet, and all the latest scenes currently take place in front of a grey void. But I figure it wouldn't hurt to share some of the sketches from MsCatMermaid of some of the most recent scene backgrounds.
This is also an opportunity to give a much-deserved shoutout to MsCatMermaid for her work on the game's backgrounds. She's been a consistent figure on the team since the game's demo period, the game owes a huge part of its visual style to her, but it's also thanks to her that I feel comfortable sending the protagonists on such a wide-ranging trip over the course of the game. I feel really grateful to be able to work with someone who's able to capture scenery ranging from lush natural landscapes to the main characters' bedrooms.
Alexa's route is probably the one that ranges across the largest number of different locations, represented by their own distinct backgrounds, but I want to make sure that each route features some of its own distinct scenery. There'll still be a lot to see for players who prefer to stick with just one route, but this is one way I want the game to deliver on a feeling of exploration.
We're deep into midsummer now, and while the script lately has been following the protagonists through the wilderness, I've been stuck indoors for most of the past month. What experience of nature I've had recently has had to come vicariously through the characters, for whom it's thankfully not quite so swelteringly hot out as it is here.
For the first time in a while, I don't have screenshots of the newest content to share, because the backgrounds for the latest content don't exist yet, and all the latest scenes currently take place in front of a grey void. But I figure it wouldn't hurt to share some of the sketches from MsCatMermaid of some of the most recent scene backgrounds.
This is also an opportunity to give a much-deserved shoutout to MsCatMermaid for her work on the game's backgrounds. She's been a consistent figure on the team since the game's demo period, the game owes a huge part of its visual style to her, but it's also thanks to her that I feel comfortable sending the protagonists on such a wide-ranging trip over the course of the game. I feel really grateful to be able to work with someone who's able to capture scenery ranging from lush natural landscapes to the main characters' bedrooms.
Alexa's route is probably the one that ranges across the largest number of different locations, represented by their own distinct backgrounds, but I want to make sure that each route features some of its own distinct scenery. There'll still be a lot to see for players who prefer to stick with just one route, but this is one way I want the game to deliver on a feeling of exploration.
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
- 266
- 469
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August 2025 update
It's always poignant passing the time of year the game is set in, all the more so when it's past schedule, but there's been some good progress this month. The script is now up to the final sex scene of Alexa's route, and on the art front, it's seen the completion of a scene whic was long left unfinished when ArcticFox, the character artist at the start of the Kickstarter launch, left the project.
The fact that the project has seen as much turnover as it has among the character/CG artists has definitely slowed things down, and imposed obstacles from a budget standpoint. But my top priority remains seeing the project to completion in a form I'm satisfied with, and players will find worthwhile, and in that respect at least the game remains on track.
There's still a fair amount of content left to complete in Alexa's route, even after the final sex scene (it's not the final CG of the route, although it's the last long one.) Compared to Vani's route though, this part of the game is less emotionally taxing, and frankly easier for me to write. Not that everything in this route is lighthearted or easygoing, but Complex Relations is a game with only good endings, and the overall tone is pretty positive.
Looking forward to sharing it!
It's always poignant passing the time of year the game is set in, all the more so when it's past schedule, but there's been some good progress this month. The script is now up to the final sex scene of Alexa's route, and on the art front, it's seen the completion of a scene whic was long left unfinished when ArcticFox, the character artist at the start of the Kickstarter launch, left the project.
The fact that the project has seen as much turnover as it has among the character/CG artists has definitely slowed things down, and imposed obstacles from a budget standpoint. But my top priority remains seeing the project to completion in a form I'm satisfied with, and players will find worthwhile, and in that respect at least the game remains on track.
There's still a fair amount of content left to complete in Alexa's route, even after the final sex scene (it's not the final CG of the route, although it's the last long one.) Compared to Vani's route though, this part of the game is less emotionally taxing, and frankly easier for me to write. Not that everything in this route is lighthearted or easygoing, but Complex Relations is a game with only good endings, and the overall tone is pretty positive.
Looking forward to sharing it!
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JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
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September 2025 update
A couple weeks ago, I would have said summer was starting to fade, but I'm writing this update from away from home right now, where the weather is much hotter, and I can actually get out in nature a bit. It's rejuvenating as far as getting me closer to the atmosphere of the game, but right now, rather than having the characters get out and enjoy the wilderness, I've just been wrapping up the heaviest and most dramatic portion of Alexa's route.
There's a lot of overlap here with elements which are covered in greater depth in Vani's rote, which I hope won't feel repetitive for players who take the time to cover all three routes. But all the routes have always been intended to explore the relationships between all three characters as they play out in different ways, so although there are different resolutions in each route, I don't want any of the characters or the issues they're dealing with to feel sidelined in any route. I think that a lot of visual novels suffer for a structure where each route raises issues with some central character which implicitly still exist but go unaddressed in every other route, which puts a damper over the whole narrative when it's taken as a whole. I'm doing my best to avoid that with Complex Relations, while hopefully still keeping the different routes feeling fresh and worthwhile.
There's still a chunk of Alexa's route left to finish, but at this point, I think I can say the weightiest and most demanding part of it is now complete. Hopefully there should still be plenty of fun though in the parts between here and the end.
A couple weeks ago, I would have said summer was starting to fade, but I'm writing this update from away from home right now, where the weather is much hotter, and I can actually get out in nature a bit. It's rejuvenating as far as getting me closer to the atmosphere of the game, but right now, rather than having the characters get out and enjoy the wilderness, I've just been wrapping up the heaviest and most dramatic portion of Alexa's route.
There's a lot of overlap here with elements which are covered in greater depth in Vani's rote, which I hope won't feel repetitive for players who take the time to cover all three routes. But all the routes have always been intended to explore the relationships between all three characters as they play out in different ways, so although there are different resolutions in each route, I don't want any of the characters or the issues they're dealing with to feel sidelined in any route. I think that a lot of visual novels suffer for a structure where each route raises issues with some central character which implicitly still exist but go unaddressed in every other route, which puts a damper over the whole narrative when it's taken as a whole. I'm doing my best to avoid that with Complex Relations, while hopefully still keeping the different routes feeling fresh and worthwhile.
There's still a chunk of Alexa's route left to finish, but at this point, I think I can say the weightiest and most demanding part of it is now complete. Hopefully there should still be plenty of fun though in the parts between here and the end.
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
- 266
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October 2025 update
I'm putting together this update after returning from a few days away from home, and even in just a few days, I can really feel the turn in the weather. Summer ending is always a melancholy feeling, particularly when I'm working on Complex Relations, but the characters' trip together is still progressing.
We're at the tail end of Alexa's route now. There's still a decent chunk left, including some new background work that'll be unique to this route. The whole game's setting is at least broadly drawn from my own experiences, but the next bit is drawn more than most from a specific real life place I was familiar with while growing up. But the heavier parts of the rout are in the rearview mirror at this point, and some lighter, more feelgood activities are exactly what the characters need at this point.
The latest material also includes a reprise of a CG from earlier in this route. The first appearance of that CG was planned since early stages of the game, but I didn't really plan its reappearance until right before I wrote it. Even this far into development, it's surprising how much the details of the game's execution fall outside my expectations. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how the next route will play out in ways I don't expect.
I'm putting together this update after returning from a few days away from home, and even in just a few days, I can really feel the turn in the weather. Summer ending is always a melancholy feeling, particularly when I'm working on Complex Relations, but the characters' trip together is still progressing.
We're at the tail end of Alexa's route now. There's still a decent chunk left, including some new background work that'll be unique to this route. The whole game's setting is at least broadly drawn from my own experiences, but the next bit is drawn more than most from a specific real life place I was familiar with while growing up. But the heavier parts of the rout are in the rearview mirror at this point, and some lighter, more feelgood activities are exactly what the characters need at this point.
The latest material also includes a reprise of a CG from earlier in this route. The first appearance of that CG was planned since early stages of the game, but I didn't really plan its reappearance until right before I wrote it. Even this far into development, it's surprising how much the details of the game's execution fall outside my expectations. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how the next route will play out in ways I don't expect.
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
- 266
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- 163
November 2025 update
We're well in the midst of Fall now, and for personal reasons, I am unavoidably stuck indoors for a considerable period of time. It definitely makes it harder to get into the Summer vacation mood of Complex Relations, but at least I still have a fair amount of time to devote to work on the game.
The remaining stretch of Alexa's route features some new background work, now in progress, which won't be appearing in other routes of the game. Every route has its own unique locations, but this one is drawing on a place I have a lot of real-life memories of. I don't know if anyone is likely to recognize the real location it's based on, but I trust MsCatMermaid to capture the feeling of the place.
The heaviest and most dramatic parts of this route are already behind it now, but there's still stuff left that I think is essential to the planned character arcs, and I don't want to shortchange it. And at its core, Complex Relations isn't a game that leans all that heavily on drama, so I hope that players are able to enjoy the lighter and more laid back parts of the game as well. There's definitely less bittersweetness planned for this route than the previous one, and less in the next route as well. But I want to each one feel complete and balanced as a self-contained story, whether or not any player checks out every route.
We're well in the midst of Fall now, and for personal reasons, I am unavoidably stuck indoors for a considerable period of time. It definitely makes it harder to get into the Summer vacation mood of Complex Relations, but at least I still have a fair amount of time to devote to work on the game.
The remaining stretch of Alexa's route features some new background work, now in progress, which won't be appearing in other routes of the game. Every route has its own unique locations, but this one is drawing on a place I have a lot of real-life memories of. I don't know if anyone is likely to recognize the real location it's based on, but I trust MsCatMermaid to capture the feeling of the place.
The heaviest and most dramatic parts of this route are already behind it now, but there's still stuff left that I think is essential to the planned character arcs, and I don't want to shortchange it. And at its core, Complex Relations isn't a game that leans all that heavily on drama, so I hope that players are able to enjoy the lighter and more laid back parts of the game as well. There's definitely less bittersweetness planned for this route than the previous one, and less in the next route as well. But I want to each one feel complete and balanced as a self-contained story, whether or not any player checks out every route.
JayneDoe2
Member
- Nov 21, 2022
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Fresh from the Discord
Q: hello, how far we are from release right now?
"Hard to say, honestly, because it depends on the pace of art development as well as my own work. If the pace had stayed the same as at the KS launch, with the artists who were on board at the time, it should have been able to release within the original schedule, but that's obviously been out the window for a long time. At the current rate... probably not within 2026, unfortunately, although Alexa's route should definitely be completed in that time. Best guess is that the final route will most likely be finished in 2027, but that's an uncertain estimate."
Q: hello, how far we are from release right now?
"Hard to say, honestly, because it depends on the pace of art development as well as my own work. If the pace had stayed the same as at the KS launch, with the artists who were on board at the time, it should have been able to release within the original schedule, but that's obviously been out the window for a long time. At the current rate... probably not within 2026, unfortunately, although Alexa's route should definitely be completed in that time. Best guess is that the final route will most likely be finished in 2027, but that's an uncertain estimate."