Hello everyone!
It has been some months since the release of Three Minutes To Eight, and I'm writing this DevLog to reflect on the nine months that have passed since the games launch.
Developers often share insights into the development process (as I did in a previous DevLog and a video interview partially featured on the games Steam homepage), but it's less common to hear their thoughts nine months post-release.
Well, here I am! I must admit I'm a bit disappointed with how things are going with Three Minutes To Eight, both in terms of sales and player reviews. I consider Three Minutes To Eight the best game I've ever made, yet the sales and reviews are worse than some of my previous games like ENCODYA or Clunky Hero. The market isn't at its best right now, but adventure games are still selling a decent number of copies.
I'm not here to whine about bad luck or things like that. There are hundreds of video games released every month; its normal that some do well while others dont. However, we launched with a decent number of wishlists (about 30K), yet the reviews are mixed, and sales are so-so. This is despite receiving a solid 5/5 from Adventure Gamers (registered as 100/100 on Metacritic) and winning the Best Indie Game award at the Game Development World Championship, Summer Edition 2023.
So, what's the reason behind this "meh" result?
I believe the strengths of my game are also its weaknesses, at least for some players. The unique aspects that make my game stand out among many adventure games are also considered its flaws. Three Minutes To Eight is a classic example of a game that you either love or hate. The limited locations, repetitive actions, time loop, and narrative structure (or lack thereof, with ten different narratives that coexist in a clockwork mechanism, without a main story) have apparently displeased a good portion of gamers. Yet, I think these aspects also make it a great and unique game. Not to mention that the soundtrack, voice acting, dialogues, and aesthetics are top-notch, a fact recognized even by those who didnt leave a positive review.
Overall, I think it's a game that requires time to fully appreciate its mechanics, philosophical messages, and psychological puzzles filled with secrets and Easter eggs. Unfortunately, in 2024, with the constant bombardment of new titles, players often dont have the time to get captivated by such a game. Thats my fault; I should have designed it differently or provided more engagement from the very first minutes of gameplay.
It is what it is. But I still hope the game will find its special niche, becoming a cult title beloved by a growing elite, if not by the masses.
In the meantime, I've been working on a new game, which is totally different, called Speedollama. It's coming to all platforms (PC and consoles) this fall.
Furthermore, today, together with Assemble Entertainment, we have created a special discounted bundle with all my adventure games, including the acclaimed ENCODYA, Three Minutes To Eight, and Soul Tolerance, another title that deserves more recognition.
Have a look! Its a great chance to get a bunch of good games at a cheap price!
And if you haven't played Three Minutes To Eight yet, give it a chance. And if you like it, please consider leaving a Steam review. It truly deserves more attention!
Yours, Nicola
Three Minutes To Eight
Chaosmonger Studio
Assemble Entertainment
2023-10-23
Action Indie Strategy Casual RPG Adventure Simulation F2P Sports MMO Racing Singleplayer Multiplayer Coop EA
Game News Posts 12
🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
🕹️ Partial Controller Support
🎮 Full Controller Support
Mixed
(75 reviews)
https://threeminutestoeight.com/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2303320 
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"I woke up feeling ████ ███ █████. It's another rainy evening in ██████. I wonder if ████ dream ██ ████ must escape."
“Time seems to █████ ████ a ████ ███ █████ way. I have to ███ █████ ██. Is she my girlfriend?"
"A loud explosion. I think it could be ████ ██ ███ again ███ ███. I should ask ███ ███ ████ a loop."
"████ ██ ██ █ robot. ████ ██ going insane. ████ ██ a murder? What if ███ ██ ███ losing ██ mind."
“███ ██ █████ ██ ██████ ██ █████ ██ ██ death ███ ██."
Set in the near future, Three Minutes To Eight is a mind-bending pixel art adventure game that breaks the mold by introducing an intriguing twist: the protagonist is destined to meet their demise at precisely 07:57 PM. However, hope is not lost. It's up to you to unravel what lies beneath, uncover secret paths, find ways to cheat death, and unlock multiple endings. Each run is distinct, with randomized elements and unique events, urging you to revisit the game multiple times to discover all its hidden mysteries. Find yourself in an ever-evolving gaming experience, mimicking a borderline state of mind that teeters on the edge of consciousness, where everything is possible yet remains elusive.
- OS: Ubuntu LTS
- Processor: i5-8250U @ 1.60GHz (or equivalent)Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 (or equivalent)
- OS: Ubuntu LTS
- Processor: i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz (or faster)Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (or newer)
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