The demo for Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz launched last Friday. Its first weekend saw 55 wishlists (22 installs) on Steam, and 2 donations* (18 downloads) on itch!!  I really didn't dare to dream it would get such a positive reception—my very stubborn approach to development has been "make the game for ME, stick to MY vision and MY priorities, be open about MY influences," so I was reaching a point where I somewhat doubted if the game would appeal to anyone else at all. I've never been more thrilled to be wrong.

Some of my favorite things people have said about it:

• "I feel the influence of Umineko here." - I love this comment because while Umineko is the #1 no-questions-asked hugest direct influence in the narrative, I didn't think that would become obvious until Episode 3 or so. Silly me to not recognize that a game coded on a laptop with Beatrice hand-painted on it** would have the influence clear from the get-go.
  
• "music fucks deliciously"
• "I want to punt him [Amadeus] across the room (affectionate)" - me too, reader. Me too. (affectionate)

Every single expression of support has been incredibly motivating. I'll be spending the next month defining benchmarks & deadlines through the finish line of Episode 1's release this Fall, and while it's been important to me to make something I'm passionate enough about to completely self-motivate, the encouragement I've received from this new demo's release has given me a massive boost of extra momentum. I'm incredibly excited to get started on what's next.

Communications will return to monthly progress devlogs on itch/Steam, and more frequent updates on Tumblr/Discord.

Stay updated on your preferred platform: linktr.ee/amadeusgame

If you'd like a sooner date than "this fall" for major news, there just might be something to look forward to in the summer. There's also an archive of devlogs on developing this demo in the linktree above if you'd like more to read. In the meantime, check out lots of other cool indie game projects and tell all of your friends about them! So long as you're following on itch or have the game wishlisted on Steam, you won't miss when Episode 1 of Amadeus officially launches.

Thank you so much for playing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Note on donations: these will be automatically deducted from the price of the full game on itch when it releases for those who donated. There was one donation for the original prototype, however, that can't be automatically deducted by itch. To that donator—if you email me with a receipt showing that was you, I am more than happy to just give you a free download key when the game launches, considering you supported the project from so early on.

**pic related: