Welcome Back! (Sappy Post)

[Mooncalf]

Firstly I wanted to say thanks for the huge support during last month. We said we wanted to revitalise our game, and people really got behind that. Old faces are returning, monetary support is really strong, people are buzzing about the updates, and there's a lot of good community spirit on the Discord chat. Josh and I are massively grateful for the support and enthusiasm that has shown as you do not want Path to die, and we're going to channel that enthusiasm into our updates, because we're very hopeful that we can restore this game to great activity levels once more.

The second thing I have to say is more of a sentiment from myself directly. I've made a fair amount of mistakes with Path's development in the past, and I can see that now, I really can. It was a mistake to shift focus of the game (multiple times I believe) away from the original advertised vision. It was a mistake to try to pivot the game to attract a more easily targetable new audience. It was a mistake to split the game's activity levels by creating Blood, rather than simply keeping a good balance between grid and RP focus. It was a mistake to ignore advice and suggestions from really enthusiastic active players, while at the same time being too reactionary and implementing suggestions without much thought simply because I'd got carried away in the moment. It was a mistake to focus on slightly silly updates while ignoring bugs and things people were really calling out for. It was a mistake to try to do too much at once. It was a mistake to continue with a chapter format which was clearly not working too well due to balancing issues, bugs, and poor foresight which resulted in unfairness. It was a mistake to make plans to do away with this battle system or that battle system, and to try to force a turn based system on you when the majority of the community didn't really want it.

There's also a ton of development mistakes that have been made that I could talk about at length, but some of those updates are already very well liked by now, so I'll refrain. We have what we have, warts and all, and we're going to look forward rather than backwards, and try to make the best game we can out of the things we already have in place. Less change, more progress, more updates, more positivity.

It's been 10 years, I believe, since I started work on Path, and those 10 years have taught me a lot about what to do and what not to do with browser game development. I've learned more about programming, learned more about what you want to see from the game, and learned more about what makes a fun game. So I'll do my best moving forward to channel that experience into making sure the same mistakes aren't made again.

As some of you know, I'm a freelance artist and programmer, so while I can't devote 100% of my time to Path, I'll make damn sure that any support for the game is rewarded with hard work and updates that people would love to see. And I believe I can speak for both myself and Josh when I say that.

So anyway, thank you everyone! There are good things ahead, so stay tuned, and keep levelling up your character, because when you see what's planned you'll wish you had!

[Lucy Fur]

A very noble post. Thanks for the commitment and persistence.

[Myk]

Here, here!

A very commendable effort to all involved and I personally appreciate this story of self-improvement. Thank you for sharing your life's work with all of us.

<3 <3 <3

[Azraeth]

I love this community, and I love working with David. I haven't got a lot to say, but I am very thankful that I get to enjoy being part of making the magic happen and I really really hope that people see the amount of love David and I have been pouring into it. More importantly, I hope they enjoy what we've been doing so we can all build a better (not saying previous incarnations have been bad, just that constant evolution and development is a good thing) Path together. <3

[Minsc]

I think that, for any/all of it faults, PotV will always retain (at it's heart) a very loyal and dedicated following.

[Dulce Periculum]

I think that, for any/all of it faults, PotV will always retain (at it's heart) a very loyal and dedicated following.

I have to say this is proving to be true. I think looking forward is the key to future success. Reflection on all our parts will secure that. I am here to enjoy the game. Thank you.

[Alexandrea]

I have to agree with everyone.

Thank you to David and to Josh for all the hard work you both do

and a huge kudos to David for saying all those things that you didn't have to say.
The best part of Path, is you.

You would never see a post like this from the developer at any other game, I'd bet money on that.