Greetings from the lair! DragonSkies here. 

I've been obsessively game designing the past few days, so I have yet more to share on top of the initial v0.3 update. Here's some more of the features you can check out in the current version!

New Feature: Mobile Controls!

This feature is only available on the game's Itch.io webplayer. 

When you access the settings menu from the main menu, there is now an option to enable mobile controls. This creates a simple joystick and jump button in combat that allows for casual gameplay.

Driving away thieves with extra gizmos? Nice!

I can't say this is my preferred control scheme, but because of ease of access I'm more than happy to make it an option. It will remain supported probably until the final release, so if that's your only option (or you just prefer mobile gaming solutions), feel free to enjoy during the development process.

Plans for Next Update

In the near future, I'm planning to rework some sprites and fix some backgrounds to give the game a more completed feel. I'm also brainstorming a new enemy - one with talons almost as fearsome as Talos's himself - and a checkpoint system to keep the game from getting boring and repetitive. 1 month and five days left... we can probably pull this off, right?

Personal Reflection

I've been having a strange week, to be honest. Game development has been a rollercoaster - some days fruitlessly banging my head against a brick wall, and others soaring with satisfaction that only a developer can understand. But by far the strangest thing about this week's development was engaging with others.

On a discord server I took the time to promote my game. At first I was pretty excited, but immediately afterwards someone posted info about one of their projects over mine - a game about leading a cult that actively participates in human sacrifice. I felt... off when I saw it. Kinda like Talos. How do we think it's okay to fantasize about worshipping demonic forces? To make art that celebrates it? Or even just to make fun of it when the very idea of it - death, insanity, and spiritual darkness - deserves to be abhorred?

In some ways, I'm more of a Talos than I can express. Not that I hoard gold or anything. It's more like this: where everyone else sees thrill in things like horror and the occult, I ponder them along the lines of riddles. What's it worth? Is it good? Could we make something better for the soul and spirit?

I don't hold the common perspective, but in the end I hope my games will be not just another thrill or experience, but rather a story that leaves you with something you can apply to your own life. In the end, fun and cheap thrills can only take you so far - but wisdom and truth will help you do much more than mere entertainment can.

I promise it's not all jokes!!! 

Discord

In the wake of all this change, Riddles of Gold is in desperate need of testers. If you're interested in this project, feel free to join our discord to support development, playtest, and meet fellow fans/creatives! 

That's all for now! Thanks for taking a look, and God bless.

Cya,

-DragonSkies