Based on this you didn't play it then despite it being freely available here, did you? Because if you did, it would be quite clear that this is important to the story. Just because something has a label of "Halloween" or "Special" doesn't mean it has nothing to do with the plot, and it would be foolish to just come to that conclusion based on having played other people's games, because this is not other people's games. The original idea was to do a short little 300 render teaser to generate a bit of interest for newcomers, but I decided to make it a full blown chapter instead. It doesn't matter what anybody else in the thread says about it it, because here you're getting the info directly from me as to what the chapter is.
If you have played it and can't see the pretty obvious plot threads laced throughout, well, then that's on you. I didn't label it as a regular chapter since I've already established what chapter 4 is about, as well as the fact that the "main plot" involves the lamp, which this particular episode doesn't delve into. I also wanted it to be something that wasn't necessarily burdened by your previous relationships so people could just have a little bit of fun with it. Everything in this is canonical and the seeds for plot elements have been sown.
And for anybody arguing that this is some disingenuous cash grab I released just to remove the "abandoned" tag here, guess what? I'm not the one who posted it here, thus I had nothing to do with the removal of any tags. So take it up with the uploader. I don't work based on the rules of f95zone, oddly enough. I work on my own schedule and my own set of rules.
And just in case people want to constantly bring up my absence, it's because there are far more important things in life than making a porn game, surprising as that may seem. The singular death that started a downward spiral in my life ended up becoming three deaths, so excuse me if I don't really give much of a shit about whether or not people find my absence justified or not.
As for those of you that still enjoy the game, good, I'm happy. It's the end result of pulling myself out from absolute rock bottom and trying to maintain a sense of humor. I've always been quite clear that this is a hobby I work on in my free time. I've also always been quite clear that it's going to continue. And it has. That's not going to stop unless I suddenly die or something.
I just want to say three things.
1) This game was one of the few of its type that stuck with me due to its story. It is unique, the characters are clearly defined, and the tone is great! I am impressed that you can make something like this, take long breaks, and still have the inspiration to return to it despite the break, if it were me I would've lost interest and moved on.
But as a consumer I remember your work fondly thus want you to continue regardless of how much time you take in between updates.
2) I don't know you but I hope you don't die, since, you know, you are the creator of one of my favorite games here. Even if it had been ages since I played it and so I now need to replay it from the begining to remind myself of it.
Which is a plus in my book, actually. If you know something was good, but don't remember why it was good, then that gives you the option to consume good quality content, as backed by your past self's taste...
A win-win situation in a way.
3) I am sorry for your loss. RL can be a bitch, you aren't alone in the struggle, and the whole other shebang of 'keep up the morale' type of words that you are probably already sick of. While I have a feeling you are tired of hearing them in RL I won't glossover your loss even if you mentioned in the passing.
Really, the thing I do to deal with loss is focusing. Focusing on life, love, work, gaming, videos, and whatever else I can find that will engage me and let my subconscious get a good enough distance from the event to, well, 'accept' it fully. I think you should do the same. Just don't stop, or get stuck on one thing.
Chaos and stress helps far more than silence and depression.
