TL;DR
v2 isn't here. I joined the October Steam Next Fest. I hope to be able to build v2 for it and pull this off.

Longer Version
I don't come from a game development background, and I've never been one with an urge to build a game like many others in this field. I was drawn into Godot and game development around December 2023 when I got hooked watching a Jackie Codes stream of them building a mini Terraria clone in Godot.

In January of 2024, I took an already planned 3 month parental leave from my job. I decided that during that time I would keep myself busy with continuing to learn godot and participating in game jams. This very game was created in the Pirate Software - Game Jam 14 in January.

Towards the end of my leave, I created another game called "Reveal & Choose" during another jam. It had a similar playstyle to this one. Given the positive feedback on both games, I saw the possibilities of combining them.

I was excited! I had created a prototype of two games that received strong feedback, with a decent game loop that kept players engaged and a handful of fans.

Then it happened. That moment. That beginning of a rut without knowing that one is entering one.

I'm still trying to figure out what happened. I think I saw a bit of success, a moment where I realised this could be made into something and it turned from a fun hobby into work. The excitement died. The fun, the joy, and the wanting to build something was sucked right out of me.

I told those around me that I would still make v2. I made the post announcing it in hopes putting it out there would hold my inner self to the accountability of others knowing. It never happened.

I returned to work. Lots had changed over the short time I had been gone. Returning was incredibly intense & stressful. The last thing I wanted to do was more work after a long day of work. Remember, v2 in my mind was no longer a hobby, but instead, it was work towards something in the back of my mind I felt could be successful; Maybe the game itself wasn't going to be successful, but I think I saw a path towards being successful in this industry.

For those who ever had a spark of joy with a hobby die, you will understand this, and you will understand the struggle.

Fast-forward to July. I stumbled across Aarimous's stream of them building their upcoming game, Hexagod. It was simplistic and approachable, and playing the demo got me excited about what could be built on a relatively simplistic game loop.

The spark started to glimmer a bit.

Occasionally I drag my butt to WeWork to work alongside a colleague for work. It is a change of environment. Different working spaces, the city busyness, the different vibes, the routine and the separation.

The spark started to glimmer more.

I caught another Aarimous stream. Steam Next Fest and the deadlines were being discussed. I thought to myself it would be interesting to join one, but it doesn't look like I could make the deadline. But maybe...maybe I could? I decided to see if I could quickly fill out Steam's info, set up a mostly placeholder store, and join Next Fest.

I clicked the button waiting to be prompted with an error as I thought the store page had to be fully reviewed and approved before having the ability to join, and I was presented with: "Registered, Last Update: 29 Aug @ 10:59 am" Uh! That means I've joined Steam's Next Fest with this game. If you're reading this you can join me on the journey on Twitch.

PS, If Jackie or Aarimous ever happen to read this, thank you and I'm thornityco in Twitch chat.