The show carries on...and on...
8 months ago – Fri, Aug 08, 2025 at 03:18:16 PM

Hey all!

Hope you are all having a great summer!

I was hoping to fill the next update with some good news, but unfortunately I remain in the same limbo. The priorities have not changed - still trying to find the miracle with Switch. With our most recent approach to the visual overhaul, I was unable to find the right balance to make memory and performance bottlenecks work. For those of you who might have missed, I tried several approaches to cel shading (and post processing trickery) to remove the massive costs of lighting and make it pop on Switch. However, in a game where there is a lot of stage lighting, there is a delicate balance needed to make it so the game doesn't completely wash out. While there are a lot of things we hide in the construction of our levels with lighting (as most games do), ths means the shift to cel shading meant a lot more level overhauls that weren't going to work.

I’m still throwing stuff out there and trying different approaches, but it has been a frustrating slog. Full disclosure, I’ve mentioned to a few people who’ve reached out that I’ve also been trying to get my foot in the door with Nintendo to see if Switch 2 is a better option. Seems like it would be. I’m sure you can imagine where this would be a problem given that Switch is more appealing option given the enormous install base and, more importantly, the fact that it was one of our goals with the campaign. Switch 2 would allow me to clear the hurdles we just can’t seem to get over.

Thanks to everyone who has reached out to check in – really appreciate the kind words and also the stream of feedback has been most welcome. To reiterate, email is really the only way I can guarantee I’ll see the message. While I’m still focused on finishing everything, I don’t have the time to keep an eye on anything other than email as my time is super stretched.

As for the path forward, just to make clear, my priority is to get final clarity on Switch, even if it’s Switch 2 and sorting through the issues that come with that pivot.

Once that is clear and on the right path, I can then shift resources to physical goods. Time and money are limited, so the focus has to remain on hitting Switch or at least Switch 2.

I want to reemphasize how much it stinks that I’ve hit such a wall with this port and that while people wait, I’m more than happy to give a code for a platform that we’ve already launched on (Steam, XBS, PS5) to help tide you over. It has been an unbearably long wait, so I’d love to at least make sure you can experience the game while the wait continues. 

Sorry to remain so dark and take so long. As always, I’ll provide more information as soon as anything meaningfully changes.

Thank you again for all your patience and support!

Bill

[email protected]

The show goes on...
about 2 years ago – Wed, Mar 20, 2024 at 06:49:15 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Major Patch 1.1 Update, LudoNarraCon, and Much Much More!
almost 3 years ago – Thu, May 04, 2023 at 11:40:50 AM

Hi folks! Time sure has flown and we’ve done a lot in the past two months to kickstart this upcoming patch. From general bug fixes to larger game overhauls, this addresses many of the feedback that we have gotten from players, that we hope will improve the experience of Romancelvania. And before we tune you to your regular programming, we’d like to highlight that we will be participating in the LudoNarraCon this year which starts TODAY!

Here’s all the BIG changes we’ve brought to 1.1 (non-spoiler):

• Updated crystal and flair system to create more enjoyable and streamlined combat experience.
• Lighting updates to increase character and enemy visibility.
• Updated lighting on several cutscenes featuring Femme Drac and other character models, and various environments.
• Navigation bug fixes and markers to aide in progression.
• Weapons balancing to sword and impaler.
• Reworked enemies and boss battles to create fairer combat.
• Dodge mechanic!
• Steam Deck performance updates.

For the full changelog (with spoilers), please check out the notes below:

Patch Notes 1.1

Architectural Fixes

• Steam Cloud saves are enabled.
• Made performance updates to the castle and other areas of contention for the Steam Deck.

Gameplay Improvements

Enemies

• Added in more enemies.
• Tuned Pumpkink to be less punishing.
• Tuned physics on Rollkins.
• Adjusted Skeledudes’ animation to improve range and allow for clearer telegraph and dodge.
• Balanced Dick M’s boss battle.
• Dick M now drops the key to the office storage and the set.
• Updated collisions and effects in Lickety Splits.
• Yojamesbo rebalanced and collision updated.
• New Gumdrop type!

Weapons/Abilities/Items

• Flairs now are toggled by pressing the Right Shoulder button and can be used by pressing the right trigger button. Training has been updated to reflect this.
• Start you off in the game with flair and all the weapon/trick slots filled to ground the player better and show there are multiple tricks, treats and flair.
• Dodge now in combat using the left trigger.
• Included a tutorial for the crystal system.
• Improved the speed and hitbox of the sword to create more reliable hits when jumping.
• Updated the Impaler so that it now dashes through enemies.
• Retuned healing amounts on Treats

Level

• Improved guidance around the Retro Castle to avoid getting lost.
• Added blocking volumes to keep you from getting launched during Lulu’s fight.
• Added blocking volumes to keep you from jumping out of Sea Weasel’s basement.
• Fixed various assets that required a collision tweak to avoid players getting stuck.
• Added signage to guide players more clearly to Fenton and Lightning.
• Tuned the lightning in Thundercrack Hollow to be more forgiving. Also updated the walkpath to be less confusing.
• Reduced the time it takes for Grim to appear on-screen in the Mall.
• Reduced the time it takes to make a mercy choice at the Castle for the Van Helsings.
• Opened the pathway in the Galleria so you can run straight through and not have to double jump to the 2nd level near Hot Toothpick.
• Changed your character direction when teleported to the Mall.
• Locked off the castle library until Fenton joins the cast.
• The Golden Room is now visible to avoid confusion but is locked off until Golden Hour.
• Van Helsing will now be hidden inside the Church if you vote them off.
• Reworked the skateboard sequence.
• Added safety nets for specific quest items in case players leave regions before picking them up.
• Spaced the lollipops out so you can no longer get stuck on them.
• Removed repeat conversation exploits.

UI

• Added further in-game feedback to communicate low-health state.
• Added indicators to date and gift selection screens to more clearly indicate you can scroll to see more characters.
• Fast Travel screen now toggles in order from left to right.
• Added an Option to allow the Item Wheel to be a toggle or a hold.
• Resized a number of screens to better fit at lower resolutions.

Miscellaneous

• Added two additional quests to clarify where to find Nefret (“Got the Power”, “Electrified!”)
• Added an additional exchange between Drac and Battaboom to explain why the Van Helsings talk the way they do.
• Added more enemy vulnerabilities.
• Camera distances adjusted globally.

Cosmetic Changes

Lighting/Textures

• Adjusted Femme Drac and various character models in conversations to have better lighting.
• Relit the following environments: Retro, Castle, Grimmys, Salty Sea Weasel, Forest, Mausoleum, Smashmounds, Castle Dungeon, Blue Room, Smashmounds, Benefactor Room.
• Tweaked Battaboom’s Light.
• Added a slight glow to Drac to help them stand out.
• Tweaked lighting on enemies to improve visibility.
• Changed the pool’s dirt path texture.

Audio

• Added attack and movement sounds to the samurais.
• Added zoom sound to transition to the Ballroom.
• Updated the audience’s reaction sounds.

Misc

• Adjusted the camera at Lulu’s house so that the FOV resets properly.
• Updated with new credits.
• Updated the Kickstarter backer credits.
• Updated death FX on many enemies.

Hotfixes

• Nefret’s special date unlocks correctly now on the pause screen.
• Fixed a bug with Nefret’s Inner Chamber quest.
• Fixed a stuck bug in De Nile on the stairs.
• Removed the collison on the door behind the card table inside the mall.
• Moved the retro candles in Retro Grounds to drop money.
• Fixed Power and Shield treat icon persisting after use (Steam Deck).
• Fixed so that the option for more conversations with Sol, PS Elle, and Van Helsing now hide properly when they are completed.
• Fixed a bug where if you return to Fenton after getting Strength in Fiction Quest but before completing it, you get an empty conversation.
• Fixed a bug where if you visit Medusa before yesterday’s hotfix AND return to her, the gallery wall will block you.
• Fixed an out of world bug where you can jump out of Sol’s area of the castle.
• Fixed a bug in the Profile selection where it required you to backout of a profile a second time.
• Fix to Medusa stuck bug where if you trigger her explosion in the gallery and DO NOT talk to her, then go to save and return, you can’t leave her room.
• Fixed a bug where players could leave Hokkaido before Grim appears to take you back to Drac’s Castle.
• Fixed a bug where the HUD was still active after Grim’s introduction.
• Fixed foreground obstructions at lower resolutions.
• Fixed an issue where names would overlap in the credits.
• Updated collision on a lot of stairs.
• Fixed a bug where players would lose control after the Fenton or Sol video plays.

On top of all our new fixes and updates, we’ve given you a sneak peek of what’s to come, but you’ll have to try out the game to find out (don’t worry - it’s NOT hidden).

Thank you again and we’re so appreciative for your patience. We’ve given this patch a lot of love and thought based on given feedback and we’re excited for you to get your hands on it.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out our LudoNarraCon panel happening this Friday at 12PM PDT where our narrative director, Amanda Gardner, will be joined by Teddy Dief, Dani Lalonders, and Yasmine Lee to talk about all things romance in dating sims.

Until then, have fun and let us know what you think of all the new changes! We’d love to hear from you.

If you have any additional questions for us, send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a message over on Discord: https://discord.gg/ytPd3vp.

We will have updates on Switch progress, the weapon pack and more very soon. Lots more updates on the horizon, so keep the feedback coming!

Bill, Amanda, Lindsay, and all of DEG 🖤

Post Launch News!
almost 3 years ago – Fri, Apr 07, 2023 at 09:34:02 AM

Hey team Romancelvania!

We can't believe it's been a month since launch!  There has been so much going on here at the Deep End and we wanted to thank you all for your feedback and reports! This has helped us address issues and implement changes as quick as possible.

We wanted to take a moment and give you some high level updates:)

1) 1.0.3 Update We have patched a number of bugs/issues reported that have been pushed up to Steam and PS5. We do have them for Xbox Series S/X and I hope to have them live asap. (There is a process we have to go through with both Sony and Microsoft and we are waiting on the green light which should be very soon)! I will make sure to post as soon as that is live!

2) 1.1 Coming Soon! We are planning a large patch in the next month that will heavily focus on improvements in combat, lighting, and variety of misc quality of life improvements and bugs. We don' t have the exact date yet, but It will be in the next month give or take a few days. Cannot wait for you folks to see all the tweaks, polish, and fixes we've been working on!

3) Weapon Pack Update Getting updates and DLC through the necessary channels and approvals can be complicated.  Since the Weapon Pack has not launched, and to streamline the update process, we are combining the weapon pack with an exciting bunch of additional content. This will all launch in a few months. In other words, if you purchased the weapon pack, you'll be able to download it this summer along with a bunch of extra content at no additional charge.  So while you'll have to sit tight for just a bit longer, you'll have a lot more to see and enjoy when the pack hits. 

4) Switch and PS4 We are working round the clock to get the PS4 and Switch port ready to go. We are hoping to simultaneously ship the remaining ports along with Physical copies in late summer. There is A LOT to consider behind the scenes with this distribution wise, so we really appreciate your understanding! Part of the logistical challenge here is trying to balance all the updates we are implementing on other platforms. Again, updating the game takes time and involves a number of logistical hoops. With the extra time, we are optimizing the heck out of the new platforms while also incorporating the vast number of updates and improvements. We promise we are working as fast as possible to bring you Romancelvania! 

A gentle reminder to redeem your extra code if you ordered the delayed versions above in the interim. Email [email protected] if you need assistance:)

5) Remaining Surveys In the midst of all the items above we are still collecting fulfillment surveys. In the next months we will be locking those 100% and will begin the process to get you all your remaining physical goodies. Hang tight as I will continue to update you all on timelines for this.

As always this tiny team is forever grateful for your continued outpouring of love and support! It's one thing that really keeps us going and striving for improvements!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Lindsay, Bill and Amanda

Steam Hotfix 1.0.2 is out, just in time for some weekend romancin’
about 3 years ago – Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 05:54:14 PM

The weekend is for smooching monsters right??? We got some fixes in and they are listed below.

Pushed fixes to story progression, level geometry, Nefret and Fenton waypoints, and combat tuning in Smashmounds. Read the full notes below:

Hotfix Patch Notes 1.0.2

• Fixed a bug where if you return to Fenton after getting “Strength in Fiction” Quest but before completing it, you get an empty conversation.
  
• Fixed a bug where if you visit Medusa before yesterday’s hotfix AND return to her the gallery wall will block you.
  
• Added indicators to date and gift selection screens to more clearly indicate you can scroll to see more characters.
  
• Fixed an out of world bug where you can jump out of Sol’s area of the castle.
  
• Prevented players from leaving Hokkaido before Grim shows up to take you back to Drac’s Castle.
  
• Added two new Quests to clarify where to find Nefret – “Got the Power!” and “Electrified!” added to give a bit more guidance to the player.
  
• Tuned the lightning in Thundercrack Hollow to be more forgiving.
  
• Added in signage to help guide to Fenton and Lightning.
  
• Fixed an unreported bug in the Profile selection when attempting to creating a new game and backing out of a profile. It required you to back out a second time.
  
• Tuned Pumpkink to be a bit less punishing.
  
• Tuned physics on Rollkins.

As always we value all your amazing feedback and this game is commuity driven! 

You can send all of your lovely feedback to [email protected].

Again, we can’t thank you enough for all of your patience and support! If you have any additional questions for us, shoot us a message on Discord: https://discord.gg/ytPd3vp.

Have the best weekend!

Bill, Amanda, and Lindsay