It’s been a while since our last update, and we have quite a bit to share. The past year has been a whirlwind of events, from participating in IGDX to engaging with players at Motion Ime Fest and G2G Festival. We witnessed your enthusiasm firsthand as you tested our early Montabi build.
Development Update
On the development front, we’ve been laser-focused on refining content and enhancing the onboarding experience through testing. We reached out to friends who share a passion for Monster Rancher and creature-collecting games, including fellow indie game developers. The valuable feedback we received from these closed tests was eye-opening.
Regrettably, the test results pointed out some fundamental issues. The game seemed to lose its appeal quickly, and there was a misalignment of expectations, particularly around the battle mechanics. The simulation aspect wasn’t as deep as we envisioned, and the process of raising a Montabi each time felt less satisfying than we’d hoped.
Admittedly, this feedback was disheartening. After almost a year of dedicated development, the early build fell short of our expectations, particularly in terms of the overall gaming experience. However, our belief in the creature-collector and Monster Taming genre remains steadfast.
Pivoting
In response to this critical feedback, we’ve made the decision to undertake a major overhaul of Montabi. This marks a significant pivot for the game as we aim to address the identified issues and deliver an engaging creature-collecting experience.
We acknowledge the disappointment that may come with this announcement, especially for those eagerly anticipating the game. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported us, provided feedback during playtests, and shared their insights at events. Your energy fuels our determination to transform Montabi into the game we envision.
While the next steps will involve some time at the drawing board and important changes, we’re committed to delivering a Montabi that lives up to the expectations of our dedicated community. Anticipate a slower pace of devlog updates as we work diligently on these improvements.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We’ll be back with more exciting updates after we’ve reached a significant milestone in our development journey.
See you on the next devlog!