Hi, everyone!

Welcome to the Saintess of the Golden Bow August 2024 development update.

This our first update, and we're excited to share our progress on the game,  info on our studio, and more!

Currently, our team is working on the Polished Short Demo and the Extended Demo for the game.

What is the Polished Short Demo (Build 1.01)?

At the end of June 2024 we released the Saintess of the Golden Bow Short Demo (build 1.0). The demo was missing a few art pieces and some voice acting. We're excited to share that we're on track to finish the polished version of the short demo for an early September release.

The Polished Short Demo (September release, Build 1.01) will have the exact same text as the previously released Build 1.0 but will also feature:

• The Empress Sprite
• Duke George's Sprite
• Duke George's first CG where he helps Celeste use the proper salad fork at the ball
• Voice acting for Duke George, Celeste and Penelope for that CG

Currently we’ve finished the Empress Sprite and Duke Geroge's Sprite and would like to share art of both characters. The Duke George CG and voice acting will be completed this month.

Why is Duke George getting a CG and what are the plans for Saintess going forward?

The Polished Short Demo (Build 1.01) is the last free build until January 2025 when the Extended Demo will be released.

The Extended Demo will feature:

• 4-5 hours of gameplay depending on reading speed (that's 3-4 more hours than what we currently have) - the whole Common Route
• 4 more voice-acted CGs
• Sprites for the whole main cast

The Extended Demo will be split into parts and released between October to December on Patreon. Then there will be a public release of an Extended Demo Build in January 2025. We're currently planning a Kickstarter for Spring 2025. In the meantime, we will continue developing the game using funds from our director Anna so that we can be almost done with the first route by the beginning of the kickstarter. The routes will also be released in builds on Patreon after the Extended Demo release, starting with Noah's Route. Once the full game is complete, we will pack it into one build and release it on Steam.

These Development Updates will continue to be free, with additional previews available on Patreon.

Additionally there will be short stories with beautiful extra illustrations released on Patreon starting September 2024.

As for Duke George, we're planning a DLC route for him, funded via a stretch goal on Kickstarter. So if Duke George has won your heart, rest assured that you will be able to romance him as well. His route will be developed and released after the full game’s other routes (Common, Noah, Elijah, Levi) have been completed.

What is the team working on next?

Since we're only missing one CG and some voice acting for next month's release, the team is already working on finalizing the Extended Demo. 

We have three sprites in progress that are needed to complete all expected artwork for the demo. The CGs are finished. Voice Acting for the CGs is in progress. The Extended Demo is fully written, edited and programmed (Anna will only have to go back to add the missing assets).

Here are some snippets from the Extended Demo - more art updates will come over the following months:

Since the Extended Demo script is complete, Anna is currently working on finalizing the outlines for the love interest routes. The plan is to start by writing the Noah route, which already has a completed outline, this month.

Team Updates

In July 2024 the team took a week-long break from development, which helped us refresh after completing the Short Demo. You've seen us posting less on socials - we've been focusing more on development and rest, but we will be returning to active engagement with the game and our audience very soon.

We hope to get the graphics for the Kickstarter page and the Steam page up as quickly as possible.

We're excited that in September and October two new permanent members will be joining the art team - Julia in September and Ola in October. Their presence should speed up development as well.

Thank you for tuning in for this update.

Be sure to check out the next month's development update and the Polished Short Demo as well.

Best,

Transparent Games Team