Changes for the Future of Summer Vacation!

Dear Patreons, dear followers,

As we gather around for the holidays, I wanted to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a joyful holiday season. Whether you're spending it with family, friends, or enjoying some well-deserved downtime, I hope it’s filled with happiness, warmth, and peace.

Now, I also have some exciting and important news to share about the upcoming months—so grab a hot chocolate (or your favorite drink), and let’s dive in!

On the time dedicated to the game’s development:

I’ve made a big decision: I’m planning to take a sabbatical leave from my job to focus fully on Summer Vacation. I’m currently waiting for my company’s approval, but if everything goes as planned, this will start on April 1, 2025.

This means that Patreon will become my sole source of income, and... well, let’s just say it’s not quite enough yet to keep me rolling in gold coins. 😅 But I truly believe that by dedicating myself fully to the game, improving communication, and building more trust and engagement with all of you, we can make this work! And if things go well, I could even start a second game... but we’ll see about that in time.

I can't say that’s easy—it’s a little scary, because, like everyone, I have to pay my apartment every month... but it’s also incredibly motivating. Your support means the world to me, and I’m hopeful that with more time and effort, this community will continue to grow.

I’ll keep you updated on the final confirmation, which should come early next year. Fingers crossed! 🤞

On communication and updates:

I’ve created a new schedule to communicate more regularly with you—both here on Patreon and on Discord. Here’s what you can expect:

• More frequent posts about the game’s development, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive images.

• Regular interactions on Discord, where I’ll be available to chat, answer questions, and share ideas.

Between now and the start of my sabbatical, I’ll be testing this new rhythm to find the best balance (I guess you saw I posted a bit more here since a couple of weeks). Expect more engagement and transparency as we move forward!

On the development of the game itself:

With the release of Episode S24, here’s what’s next on the roadmap for Summer Vacation:

Spring Break development begins!

This arc will gradually guide us toward the canonical ending of the game. (No, it won’t happen all at once—calm down! 😄).

Patreon-driven priorities:

After the Spring Break arc, I’ll consult you, the Patreons, to decide what to focus on next:

• Additional routes or scenes to improve, expand, or create.

• Ideas for alternate endings to explore.

• Anything else you feel the game needs to reach its full potential! (The type of votes and influence will depend on your Patreon tier.)

Sound and music overhaul:

Okay, confession time: I’ve avoided working on sound design (which is why there’s barely any after the intro… 😅). But it’s time to tackle it! I’ve already made significant progress in recent weeks, and I hope you’ll enjoy the update to come. Moving forward, the challenge will be balancing music creation alongside story development.

Why this matters:

With your support, Summer Vacation has become something truly special, and the journey is far from over. Together, we can make this project an unforgettable experience for everyone who plays it.

If you’ve ever wanted to have a direct impact on the game, now is the time to step up. Whether you’re a Vanguard, an Architect, or a Junior, your voice will help shape the future of this project. Let’s create something extraordinary—together. ❤️

Thank you for being here, for your trust, and for making all of this possible. Let’s make 2025 the year of Summer Vacation! 🚀

Until then, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄✨ May this season bring you laughter, love, and unforgettable moments.

Let’s end this year on a high note and look forward to all the exciting things ahead in 2025.

-- Erwin