Happy New Year!

The final Alpha version of 2017 has been posted. It’s also very likely the final Alpha version period! Next up I begin work on Beta 1. Get hyped!

Your download portal should already be updated with the new hotness. Here’s the patch notes for the release:

Alpha 2.2 Additions

• The title screen now has music, more realistic clouds, and a proper transition to the game
• Overflow has been completely redone – new layout, new furniture, etc.
• A basic controls page has been added to the first page of the journal
• You can now adjust the window size (zoom level) via the system menu
  • The game window now resizes itself to your particular resolution ratio
• You can now switch to full screen via the system menu
• Added a new villager, Mr. Rose
• Added several new critters to find and catch
• Interesting secrets have been considered
• A new calendar GUI element has been added

Alpha 2.2 Improvements

• The camera for all interiors has been adjusted to match that of the outside cameras
• The following control changes have been made to the gamepad option:
  • Y / Top Face Button now toggles the inventory
  • X / Left Face Button now uses the tool
  • Start now toggles the system menu
  • Select now toggles the journal
• Reading mail no longer closes the inventory screen
  • Well, it does, but it’ll open up again on its own once you’re done reading
• It’s now easier to toggle the inventory
• The whoopie pie truck driver has gone on vacation
• Shadows of most trees have been improved
• The system menu selection now loops
• The dialogue ‘tap’ sounds has been increses
• The cursor is now hidden within the game window (for now)
• Both bookcases (normal and small) have been redone

Alpha 2.2 Fixes

• Fixed a bug preventing an open book from being closed with “Cancel” when using keyboard controls
• A number of creatures were incorrectly switching sprites during some occasions. This has been fixed
• Blank item cards should no longer say “Ore” or “Flavortown USA”
• Collision for many villagers has been adjusted

Oof, that’ll teach me to make a bunch of changes on a release day.

It’s obvious now that Alpha 2 needed much more thorough testing of the last-minute changes; many of you have reported crashes and other problems that are preventing you from even playing.

I was able to fix the majority of them and I’ve placed a new patched version of the game – Alpha 2.1 – in your download portal for you to grab. You’ll also get a new email if you’ve downloaded it already.

I’m such an idiot, and I’m really very sorry for releasing such a sloppy version of the game out there. I knew I was taking a risk in making changes so soon to release, and it clearly was not the right move.

I’ve learned my lesson – expect more stable releases in the future.

Alpha 2.1 Fixes

• Fixed a crash related to a door in the player’s house
• Fixed a crash related to the vending machine
• Fixed a crash related to the journal’s Mystery section
• Fixed a crash related to leaving the vacant house
• Fixed a crash related to music on the 3rd day
• Adjusted animations to the player character when the day ends
• Fixed an issue with ‘freezing’ the character if you attempt to place furniture outside
• Adjusted the draw distance to see less pop-in, especially with trees
• Fixed a transparency issue with Bottes’ dialogue in the general store
• The bed in Boros’ house has been fixed (again)
• Boros’ hello box has been adjusted
• A linebreak in the Castled Cake description has been fixed

Here it is! The first Village Monsters demo of the post-Kickstarter era.

It’s called Alpha 2, and it’s hopefully a big improvement on Alpha 1.

If you’re a Kickstarter backer that has pledged $25 or above you should be getting an email soon with instructions on how to download it.

If you don’t fall in that category but still want to grab the latest demo then keep an eye out later this week for some news there.

As always, you can send feedback via the in-game feedback system, or to my email, or to my Twitter. I read it all, so send as much as you want!

Now let’s look at the big list of changes…

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