The Lost Art of Innkeeping - updated to Version 1.2!

[fizzly]

@SeaPhoenix, I wanted to say the same thing. I mean, trailer is not bad! But the game is awesome, and watching just the trailer I don't feel that - which is bad, because the game is good as hell. I think it's a little too long, aaaaand...the music, it should be something more...jumpy? I know it does not fit the game style, but there is always some catchy music in trailers ^^'
Ps. I'm so happy that you released it finally! I think the price is very well balanced too!

 

[SeaPhoenix]

Thanks, @fizzly! I'll take your feedback into account when I make a second trailer, and I'll look for "jumpier" music ha ha.

P/S: If you want to play the final released version, you may want to start a new game completely. You may still be able to load your previous save files or start a new game+ from the version you playtested, but the achievements will be different because I moved things around and added a couple new things (partly due to your suggestion of customization). Thanks again for your detailed comments and suggestions!

 

[slimmmeiske2]

Congratulations on the release!

 

[Finnuval]

Congrats on releasing

Time for me to open my wallet I guess lol

 

[Biestmann]

Congratulations on releasing the game!

 

[SeaPhoenix]

The Lost Art of Innkeeping now has a Steam store page, with an updated trailer (thanks to @Finnuval, @fizzly and @slimmmeiske2 for their feedback!)! The planned release date is late July.


I feel like the process of releasing the game of Steam is more stressful and more time-consuming than I expected, but now that the store page is up, it feels like a real game, ha ha.

I'm adding a few small updates to the game based on some suggestions and bug reports by @Finnuval and others, and will (attempt to) integrate Steam achievements and Steam Cloud - I really hope this won't be too painful a process! I'll probably update the Itch.io version when the game is finally released on Steam.

 

[slimmmeiske2]

Yay! The store page looks good. Went ahead and wishlisted the game.

 

[fizzly]

Wishlisted and watched! I want to buy it on steam actually.

 

[FleshToDust]

Played your game. Very cool game. Reminds me of those farm sim games. I liked the idea of building up your stuff, getting rid of the rats which gives you access to another tool which leads to something else. There's tons of stuff like that in the game.

 

[SeaPhoenix]

@FleshToDust, awesome sauce, as you might say! Thanks for doing a first look video - it's very useful for me to see how other people play the game (I'll make it more clear that the player should talk to the butler to go to bed on the first night). I'm glad you think it's cool, and I'm also glad you're doing videos of RPG Maker games in general. Thanks again!

 

[SeaPhoenix]

I just wanted to mention that The Lost Art of Innkeeping is included in Itch.io's bundle for Racial Justice and Equality (https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality). Since the bundle includes more than a thousand games and assets, it can be hard to keep track of what's in it, so if you bought or are thinking of buying the bundle, you can download the game through it!

 

[SeaPhoenix]

It's been a while since I posted an update - have been busy updating the game! The tentative release date on Steam is July 29, assuming all goes well with the current (hopefully final) playthrough.

Anyway, @Finnuval gave me a lot of great suggestions in their review of the game, and I've incorporated some of them in this update! You'll be able to order special goodies for your guests on certain days, such as donuts on Dessert Day! You can choose your favorite too - chocolate, strawberry, or key lime. (I personally believe that there should be more key lime donuts in the real world. And grape donuts too.)

 

[slimmmeiske2]

Just got the e-mail from Steam that this out, so I finally bought it. It's downloading now

 

[SeaPhoenix]

Thanks, @slimmmeiske2 - I really appreciate the support and I hope you enjoy the game! Feedback is welcome (through PM is fine if you prefer).

Since the initial release on Itch.io, I've added more fun stuff, including a few celebratory days for you to do something special for your guests, a couple new characters in the village, and the opportunity to help a friend who's feeling lonely to adopt a pet! Full details in the changelog below.

Anyhow, both the Steam and updated Itch.io releases are now on sale for $4.49 till Aug 5!

Note: If, for whatever reason, you have both the Steam and Itch.io versions, note that the save file locations are different (I had to change it to allow for Steam Cloud synchronization.) See https://itch.io/t/902999/location-of-save-files-itch-and-steam-versions if you want to transfer your save files from Itch.io to Steam.

Version 1.1 changelog:

• Added three celebratory days where the player can choose to do something special for the guests. These celebrations are unlocked when you gain more stars, and if certain conditions are met in terms of upgrades and people hired. One of these special days will be seen during the first playthrough, while all three can be seen in a New Game+.
• Added two new characters to the village, one of whom is seen only under certain conditions.
• Added the opportunity to help a friend adopt a pet.
• Added option to reveal hidden achievements when starting a New Game+.
• Incorporated players’ suggestions regarding gameplay, clarification of details, and gender-neutral pronouns, and fixed minor bugs and typos (thank you to many of the players on Itch and elsewhere for their feedback!).

 

[Chocopyro]

The game looks right up my ally. Time to save up for a new computer.

 

[SeaPhoenix]

@Chocopyro I'm flattered that you'd think of getting of new computer just to play my game. Do you use RPG Maker MV? If you can run MV and playtest its games on your computer without disastrous lagging, The Lost Art of Innkeeping should probably work fine on your current computer. (I tried to keep it lightweight by not using any lighting or particle effects, or intense parallel processes.)

 

[SeaPhoenix]

Have you always wanted a gondola for your manor, or well-sculpted bushes in your garden? Or even a poetic sculpture to decorate your lawn? Well, even if you never thought you’d want them, now you can have them! These upgrades are available in late game, when certain conditions are fulfilled, and some very important guests will appreciate your gorgeously upgraded garden!

I also made a few other minor changes, and fixed a couple of bugs and issues.

Both the Steam and Itch.io versions have been updated, and are now on sale for US$4.49 for a limited time (regular price: US$4.99).

 

[Jennavieve]

I had been thinking about trying the Lost Art of Innkeeping since I started using RPG Maker about a month ago, then I finally decided to pull the trigger yesterday after enjoying The Ghost Cage so much. I loved the charm of The Ghost Cage and this game oozes with even more charm. I had a hard time getting myself off the computer once I started playing lol. It's so much fun and pretty unique for a RPG Maker game. I can just imagine how much time you must have put into developing it.

The art design, the characters, the gameplay are all really well done. I especially love the butler's character. Awesome work! Can't wait to play more when I go home today.

 

[SeaPhoenix]

Good to hear that you've enjoyed playing both The Lost Art of Innkeeping and The Ghost Cage, @Jennavieve! I have a soft spot for the butler too.