Well, this is a hard update that I am sad to have to write.  I don’t want to dance around this, so here it is: Foxtopus is dissolving, and this will impact CreateTech’s release schedule.

I don’t want to get too into the weeds with the details here, but a change is happening internally that will essentially leave Foxtopus so inactive that I can’t justify keeping it around.  It wouldn’t be fair to keep it going as a skeleton without leaving enough of a support structure in place to help keep a presence open for our players and supporters.  

In terms of the aftermath of this, there’s a few big things I want to impart:

CreateTech is still going to be released.  It will be available on Itch.io, not on Steam, by the end of 2020.  The development will be much slower and sporadic at this point, but I have a rough calendar in place with these approximate dates:

• August: Cleaning up Sys 2 for the final time
  • Pushing Sys 2 for early access supporters
  • Some animation work and clean up
• September: Building out Sys 3
  • Combat finalization
• October: Release version with Sys 3
  • Final combat build
• November: Release combat version
  • Final artwork clean up
• December: Final polish
  • Release!

CreateTech will be removed from Steam.  If you have already downloaded it, it will not be removed from your library.  You’ll still have the copy you bought. 

I will be treating anyone who bought the game on Steam as a continued early access suporter on Itch.  Because of this, if you purchased the game on Steam and would still like to receive the updates / full version on release, please send me an email to fullmetalashley@gmail.com.  Please include:

• Your Itch.io username
• A screenshot of your Steam library showing the CreateTech download and your Steam username

You’ll be added to the early access mailing list where I’ll distribute copies of the build / download keys without further cost on Itch.

I will be keeping the Discord active.  It will likely shift to a more casual Discord where I post updates on CreateTech as they happen, or share details on other projects I’m working on in my free time.  Other social medias will be deactivated, including our website.  Previous CreateTech dev logs are on the CreateTech Itch.io page.

There are lots of lessons I’m taking away from this.  I don’t consider this a failure, or a disastrous end to something before it really got a chance to breathe.  It’s tempting to think that way, but the relief at being able to give CreateTech real creative energy without burning out on it or killing myself to balance it is huge.

I’ve learned a lot about running a studio, managing dreams versus reality, and interacting with the industry as both a player and a dev.  I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends from people who play tested, or loved the game along the way.  From the bottom of my heart, truly, thank you for the support we’ve gotten as we’ve developed this game.  We’ve made it better because of all of you, and CreateTech is going to come through this because of your support and love.