Hello All,

Here's an update to let you know that v0.4.0 is completed and I am working on v0.5.0. This is an important update for me because when v0.5.0 is complete, I will release the v0.1.0 prologue to the public and begin releasing v0.2.0 to my patrons. So, there's a lot of motivation to get it done!

I'm finding with CELTICA, it takes longer to get scenes done than it did with STELLAR INCOGNITA. This is because with STELLAR, I could run wild with a story branch once the images had been made. I just had to write to each image. With CELTICA it's more complicated - it's a story that is more "show, don't tell", because I want the player to be immersed in this fantasy world. Also, there are more gameplay mechanics I need to be aware of, since there are various point keeping systems and continuity checks I need to do.

I decided near the beginning of CELTICA that I wouldn't be rushed to keep to a strict release schedule if it meant that the quality of the work would be less than what I envisaged in my head. Another reason is that it prevents burnout. I'm really enjoying CELTICA now, but any creator could grow to dread working on something if they felt it was a chore. But, a good work habit and commitment is also important! That's why I also resolved to do something  every single day to progress an update. No days to completely slack off! Anyway, I will talk to you soon with some hopefully GREAT news and we can continue on with the adventures of the Scythian!

Hello All,

Work on HEORES OF CELTICA is progressing, with v0.4.0 almost finished. It just requires some final writing and then bug-testing and QA. In some cases, I've found QA can take around 8 hours, which is like you're actually doing workday.

v0.4.0 focuses on the Warlord path of the game, but I just want to note that all updates contain material for the Druid path (selfish evil). As players get a feel for the different storylines of the game, I may run polls to see if there are any of the four paths (Champion, Bard, Druid, Warlord) that supporters want me to prioritize with updates.

Come on an adventure to a land full of Celtic myth and legend. You play the role of "The Scythian", a hero of an immortal race of demi-gods known as the Tuatha De Danann. As the Scythian fights in the greatest battle his people have ever known, he finds himself suddenly transported to a strange new land of warring kingdoms and beautiful women. Pursued by a nameless evil for reasons unknown, the destiny of The Scythian is in your hands. Will you wield your sword in the name of justice, or will you give into the shadowy impulses that dwell inside your heart?

GAMEPLAY

The gameplay is a visual novel where the main story is progressed solely by making choices as you roleplay the main character, the Scythian. There is no grinding, no sandbox elements and no mini-games. Every choice you make will be meaningful. Choices will direct the hero down different story paths, build relationships with different characters, trigger plot flags and/or tally points calculated in the background for future use. The game offers four independent storyline adventures within a fantasy world called Celtica. Depending on the choices you make in the prologue, you will play the Scythian in the main game as one of four archetypes:

1) Champion - heroic warrior that can romance selected female characters.

2) Bard - rougish anti-hero that can form either a group of devoted partners or lewd companions.

3) Druid - lustful schemer that can make a castle with villainous brides or destroy a hero's forces from within.

4) Warlord - principled but ruthless conqueror that can form an army commanded by lieutenants and wives.

STORY

The plot will cover Celtic characters and tales from the Irish Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and also the Four Branches of the Welsh Mabinogi. However, if you have no knowledge of any of these ancient Celtic tales, it won't make any difference, as the game does not assume the player has any prior knowledge. Do not expect any forest pixies or little men with green hats - these are the ancient legends that are filled with duels, cattle raids, feasting, druids, bards and gods. Recorded mainly by Irish monks in the high middle ages, they are based on much older bardic sources dated to at least 700 AD and are set in a fictional Irish golden age from about 100 BC to 300 AD.

GRAPHICS

The 3D images in the game lean more to an illustrative style than a photo-realistic one. As you may know, I've spent a lot of time on the female character design until I was satisfied each one was unique and worthy of inclusion in the game. There are occasional looping animations in the game to add a little visual interest to selected scenes, but this is not a central feature.

SOUND

Fantasy sound effects and music are present. The music has been selected to set the mood and atmosphere of the game and heavily feature instruments such as the harp, flutes, bagpipes and bodhran drums to invoke feelings of the Gaelic culture of Ireland and Scotland.