Here it is as promised. With the release of the newest Subscribestar release (build #2), it is time to release the previous.

This is the free release of build #1, and if you're interested, build #2 is out now on my Subscribestar for $3+ subs. Just like with this build, #2 will be released for free once build #3 comes out.

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New:
Save and Load system - There is now a way to save your game. It is a little clunky right now, but I hope to make it flow a little more smoothly as I continue to work on the game. I'm also not sure how the saves will transfer to future builds.

Pause menu "Options" and "Exit" - You can now open the pause menu and select options to adjust the volume of sound FX and in game music. "Exit" will close the game.

New control layout - I have been meaning to do this, and beta testing really showed the need for it. So now the "Z' key will do pretty much everything the "Enter" key used to. This should make playing the game more comfortable.
The new controls are as follows:
"Left and right arrows" -  to move
"Up arrow" - Use doors
"Z" - Accept/interact.
"X" - Jump
"C" - Use special ability. (None in this build, but think of how the mage outfit worked.)
"Enter" - Pause the game
"Backspace" - Skip intro cutscene, and also to "warp out" when overwhelmed by goblins
"S" - Turn on and off scanlines.

Optional scanlines - I wanted to test something out to see what people think about it. If it is not popular I can take it out by the next build. I added a filter to add scanlines to the game. A lot of older pixel art games relied on these and I hope it adds to the aesthetic. Please let me know what you think. If you really don't like them just press the "S" key to turn them off at anytime.

Warp out - So I've talked about this before, but it wasn't an option in the test builds. In the game you don't have HP, and you can't die. You can just sort of get stuck. I changed the "downed" state so that you cannot get up instantly any more. now you will have to wait 1.5 seconds to stand up. If too many goblins have amassed in an area they will keep grabbing you before you can stand up. This is a "Game over" in Goblin Hole. Each time you are grabbed, Jenny will pop up some text reminding you that you can "Warp out", by pressing the "Backspace" key. Then at the next time you are released you will be transported back to the lobby. Later in the game you will get checkpoints, so you don't lose as much progress.
There is a known bug where sometimes Jenny's text won't show up the first time Ember is grabbed. I am working on this, but I didn't want it to stop the release. Due to it being a small issue.

1 new song loop.
New H-scene with Lila
More dialogue, and plot

There's more minor art things, but I think this covers the important things.

Please feel free to reach out with any issues you find. I am a single dev, so the feedback really helps me out. 

I was delayed with some medical issues between build 1 and 2. Making it take longer than usual. However, I am back to normal production, and build #3 shouldn't take me as long to complete.  

I hope you enjoy the build, and thank you for you support.

Hello everybody,

I figure it's time for an update on how the game is coming along.

Now on to the update.

For the next build of Goblin Hole I am aiming for a few things:

Firstly, the new background NPC system. 

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In the goblin hole there will be other characters that use the dungeon for various reasons. While you are making your way through the floors there will be NPC characters that fight goblins. These characters will function much like the player. They can be downed, impregnated, and give birth to new goblin enemies. This will be a game mechanic for solving puzzles. Once downed the NPCs will serve as a sort of goblin spawner, as long as there are goblins near by. There will be some areas where you will need to create more goblins, and the NPCs will make that possible. The plan is to create an NPC for each of the main 3 classes. Warrior, mage, and thief. Currently I am working on the warrior NPC. I have completed the in game animations for her, and I'm getting ready to add it to the game. I have posted more previews for these animations for the $3 tier. If you are interested in supporting.

Next is a Nyth H-scene. 

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This will be a longer 2 part scene that will play as a cutscene. If you have played the newest sub release, it is going to play out a little like the Lila scene. That build can be played if you are a $3+ sub​, or if you're willing to wait, I will be releasing that build for free after I release this new one to my subs.

There will also be a new H-scene for Ember. 

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My plan for each enemy type is to have 2 scenes for when Ember is downed on her front, and 2 when she lands on her back. I have completed the second scene for the frontside, and will have it in by the next build. These animations, like the originals, will have a 1P and 2P version. 

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Along with these new animations I will also be adding more to the story. If you have played the sub build, the story of the game is beginning to take shape. The new build will continue the plot, and possibly introduce new characters that I have previewed for my $3+ subs.

These updates have taken me a little longer than I would have liked due to an illness that I developed back in August. I was down for a little over a month, and I've had to take on other work to try and cover some of my medical expenses. However, I am still working towards the next build. That being said, if you can afford it, your support would be much appreciated. I am a fairly new solo dev trying to do this full time. Even a free follow on my Substar would help me out a ton.

That is all for now.

I don't want to share too much, but I have a lot more to see for $3+ subs. Along with the newest game build that plays, and feels more like a real game. 

Until the next update, thanks for your support, and we'll see you then

Here is the first demo of Goblin Hole.
Please follow and subscribe, for future updates and releases.

Controls:

Press Enter to speak or progress dialogue.

Hold the Z key to "avoid." This only works when clothed. Clothes will provide power-ups in the game and are class-based (Warrior, Thief, Mage).

Press the X key to progress H-scenes or to stand up after one is finished.

     Note: In the final version of the game, H-scenes will work differently. For now, they’re set up this way so you can experiment with them.

Press the C key to pause the game. There’s not much reason to use it yet—it just shows the pause graphic until more menus are implemented.

My plan for these test demos:

I plan to update this demo with new enemies as they’re created. These "test" demos will serve as free samples to showcase the game's progress. Available to the public tier subs here on SubscribeStar, and Itch.io.
The free demos will only include animations for the main character, Ember, and will be released less frequently.
Subscribers will receive full gameplay demos. These will let you play through the storyline up to the current point of development. 
They will also include animations not available in the free versions—featuring additional characters and integrated into the story.

My goal is for every (female) character you meet to have at least one H-scene.


NEW in V2:

Changed resolution to help sprite blurryness

Added intro: Cutscene that introduces you to Nyth. (Like everything else this scene is a WIP, and has some images as place holders until I can add more.)

Godu City Streets area: Nothing you can really do here, but enter the Goblin Hole to the right. The cutscene will continue here, but it's WIP for now. 

Changed character busts to be smaller.