Hey everyone! As we near the end of the year, its time to recap all the exciting progress made on Paper Sky this past month. Lets dive in!

New Art Assets

Ive made big progress in the new art style and assets, especially for the demo world and areas beyond the demo playthrough. And yes, Twitter can now officially stop commenting on how orange the buildings are! The demo environment is shaping up beautifully, and you can catch a sneak peek in the background of the pic. Ill reveal the full map once the demo is ready!

CNC Funding Recap

If you didn't see the special announcement last month, The CNC has granted 45,000 (roughly $48,000) to Paper Sky. The CNC (Centre National du Cinma et de l'image anime) is a French Ministry of Culture agency dedicated to supporting cinematic and audiovisual arts, including video-games.

Full Scope

Ive been refining what the Paper Sky experience is meant to feel like. At its core, the gameplay revolves around Movement and Exploration. I want players to feel the natural flow of the world without frustration. Upgrades will be tied directly to gameplay and exploration: Earn upgrade points by finding messages left by other players. Unlock upgrade slots by achieving feats within each world, like flying long distances without touching the ground, reaching high speeds, or pulling off daring stunts for style points. This system means every playstyle is rewarded: whether you prefer to chill and explore, or tackle challenges head-on, youll have a fulfilling experience. I will soon work on the clear visuals for that upgrade feature, the main thing to takeaway from it is that you'll be able to customize your experience based on the actions in the game, if you want to upgrade the ball more than the plane you will be able to do so. Another key feature is the world map, which will show your location and allow fast travel between worldsbut not within them. This preserves the sense of journey and discovery in every environment.

New Demo release date

Originally, the new demo was set for the end of November, but plans have shifted. Steam recently updated how prologues and demos are featured on their homepage, so Ive decided to aim for a 30th December release. This change gives me time to pack in more content and polish, including some final-stage features. I want to start 2025 on a good note and get early feedback on all the finished, polished mechanics. Thanks for your patience!

TikTok viral video

One of my Paper Sky TikTok videos hit 1.3M views in just a week! More and more people are discovering this project, which feels surreal. Its also a great reminder of how much has been accomplished over the past year. I cant wait to see what 2025 holds!

Doggo Surprise Pic

Doggo got a bath

[ 2024-12-02 19:42:02 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey everyone, special surprise announcement today! Im thrilled to share that Paper Sky will be receiving financial support from the CNC!

What is the CNC?

The CNC (Centre National du Cinma et de l'image anime) is a French Ministry of Culture agency dedicated to supporting cinematic and audiovisual arts, including video-games. Their mission includes offering financial aid to outstanding artistic and video-game projects; and Im incredibly honored that Paper Sky has been recognized as one of them.

What does this mean for the project?

While this doesnt change the core plans of the game, it makes everything easier for me as a solo developer. During my last project, Crumble, I often found myself worrying over; Will the game sell well?, Will I have the resources to make another game?, Am I making a mistake somewhere? With the CNCs support, many of these concerns are now behind me. Heres what this means for Paper Sky:

• The CNC has granted 45,000 (roughly $48,000) exclusively for the project
• I am now 100% confident the game will have enough funding to reach completion, including handling any potential delays
• I wont need to depend on Paper Skys future sales to start my next project
• Development and marketing are significantly less stressful, allowing me to focus on making the best game I can
• A detailed development roadmap and comprehensive game design document are now fully in place, ensuring every planned feature is accounted for
• Some features that I wasn't sure I would have enough time and resources to implement will be implemented, this includes the progression system with skill points, an underwater world and many more secrets
• The soundtrack will now receive extra care and attention, with more features to make it truly stand out
• Im now committed to releasing Paper Sky on PC, Mac, Linux, and the Nintendo Switch!
• Due to the project financial viability, Paper Sky will be more tailored for the people who've been following and supporting the project instead of aiming for mass-market appeal

A word of gratitude

As a solo developer, this combination of Kickstarter funding and public support is what makes creating games like Paper Sky possible. I am deeply thankful to the CNC commission for this incredible opportunity. You can check out the official public release of the CNC commission results here: https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/aides-et-financements/resultats-commissions/fonds-daide-au-jeu-video-fajv--resultats-de-la-commission-du-26-septembre-2024_2294001 (Warning: A lot of french words) In next months update, I hope to share the new demo with you, featuring completely overhauled mechanics and a brand new look of the town world. Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm. See you in the next update!

[ 2024-11-16 12:41:36 CET ] [ Original post ]

Another Month, Another Paper Sky Update! Were back with another update on Paper Sky! Heres whats new:

Quick Updates

The big announcement is still in the works, but Ive shared a sneak peek in an unofficial post on the project Discord! The new demo release is delayed slightly due to some exciting features Im adding, including a redesigned upgrade menu. This extra work wont affect the final release date, as these features were always planned.

Boost Reworked

Ive finalized the visuals for the updated boost mechanic. Now, recharging your boost charges happens by flying fast and close to the environment; essentially rewarding "cool" and risky maneuvers. This setup reinforces a sense of flow, encouraging you to stay airborne as long as possible. To guide you, red trails will mark the main route for progression, and flying near them will naturally boost your speed and recharge your boost charges. I cant wait to hear your thoughts on this feature once you try it out.

Upgrade Menu

The upgrade menu has been revamped to feel more interactive and engaging. Now, when you open it, a popup book unfolds, letting you turn pages to select and upgrade different paper transformations. Each page is like a mini diorama of the model youre customizing. Upgrade points are represented by messages left by other players that you find on your journey. I hope this visual approach makes customizing your plane even more fun, the visual here is still very rough.

Optimization Pass

I know the first demo was a bit sluggish on the Steam Deck, though it mostly ran well on PCs. Ive optimized the lighting model, and the game now runs consistently on the Steam Deck. Moving forward, the Steam Deck will be the primary benchmark for optimizationso if your hardware outperforms a Steam Deck, youll have no issues running the game at high settings. However, theres one world in the game that uses a different render pipeline and incorporates ray tracing. This area may still be demanding on certain graphics cards, so Ill be working closely with beta testers to make sure its accessible for as many players as possible after the new demo is out. Im still exploring ways to make clouds interactive for players. If the current shader approach doesnt work out, it wont be a big loss, but Ill keep you updated! What I'm working on in November? Im focusing on filling out and polishing the art assets for the third world, which will be featured in the upcoming demo. Once thats complete, the new demo will be released for you to enjoy. Thats all for nowsee you in the next update, or for the big announcement (hopefully soon )!

[ 2024-11-16 12:26:18 CET ] [ Original post ]

Time is flying by faster than a paper plane! I could have sworn September just started last week. Anyway, Im thrilled to bring you some exciting Paper Sky updates for September.

New Demo

The new demo is almost here! I've reworked every gameplay mechanic and introduced a few new ones, all based on the feedback I received from the first pre-alpha demo featured during the Kickstarter launch.
What you're seeing is a still from the current blocking phase of the demo's playground, which is intended to represent the final gameplay and serve as a sample of the full game. It will feature everything the main game offers: an upgrade menu, different paper transformations, optional environment-based quests, and a brand-new messaging system. The goal of the demo is to allow players to freely explore the world while progressing through the story and challenging their flying skills. After some internal testing using this new game design workflow and prototype blocks, I found that the new demo is four times bigger than the old one. Players also tend to spend more quality time exploring areas of interest and relaxing in the natural, chill flying zones. Each world, except the first and last, will follow this main progression cycle:

• Discover a new world
• Freely explore a playground filled with small challenges (both explicit and hidden) and secrets
• Progress the worlds story
• Complete a speed/fun phase
• Face a custom-scripted, large event
• Then, repeat!

Camera Tilt

One day, someone asked, "Hey, why isnt there any camera tilt when turning the plane at high speeds?" It hadnt even occurred to me until then, so I decided to test it outand it works great! So now, camera tilt is officially part of the game.

Water Gameplay

One thing that bugged me about the first demo, which was a bit rushed for the Kickstarter, was the lack of time to polish and add water interactivity. This month, Ive been hard at work on a detailed, wave-based ocean. It will act as both a failing state when you go too far and a fun feature to surf across at high speeds. What youre seeing is still a work in progress, and its missing the water trail effect that the player will create. Of course, this is the intended gameplay before you unlock the boat transformation and the ability to go underwater.

Major Announcement

And now, for the most exciting news since the Kickstarter launch! After months of behind-the-scenes work, Ive been contacted with some fantastic news. Although it hasnt been officially approved yet, Im posting this Kickstarter update as late as possible this Monday, hoping I can share it here. If I cant make the announcement this month, dont worry! Ill make a special update on all social media channels and on Kickstarter to let you know as soon as possible! All right this is it for me, so much good news in the future I am very excited!

[ 2024-11-16 12:21:32 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey guys! Welcome to the third monthly update, recapping all the progress made in August. Another month, another update! So, lets dive in and take a look at what I accomplished last month on Paper Sky.

Moebius-Inspired World

I dedicated most of August to completing the shaders for the Moebius-inspired world. This will be a challenging, desert-like environment filled with buried secrets and rocky towns.

New Online Message System

After releasing the open beta demo for Paper Sky, one of my main concerns was managing the online messages with a live upvote system. Im happy to announce that I've finally completed a new framework to address this. It will allow me to easily monitor and control whats being shared in the world. Previously, messages in the demo world could only be updated when players logged in and out, but now, theyll be updated live and regularly without any input needed. This marks the near-final state of the messaging system backend.
Your messages will now be permanently carried on your paper plane, so whatever you write will always be there to encourage you!

Upgrade System Showcase

Still WIP but you get the point You earn points by discovering player messages in the world, whether theyre hidden or part of a quest reward. You can then spend those points on various paper forms (plane, ball, boat, etc.), which will enhance your mobility and speed on your journey. Thats all for this months progress! Ill soon need beta testers to help populate the new messaging system and stress-test it along with the new movement mechanics I mentioned last month. Also, theres a possibility of some exciting news for Paper Skys development next month. If I dont mention it in the next update, it probably didnt pan out, but Im keeping my fingers crossed! Thats enough from me for now. Ill be more active on social media as I dive back into art asset creation. Alright, see you soon.

[ 2024-11-16 10:21:24 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey guys! Welcome to the second monthly update, recapping July's progress.

I've got some exciting new mechanics and features to discuss. Ive been hard at work refining and expanding the project's base architecture to ensure it's solid and easily scalable for future growth.

Boost Mechanic

I've implemented one of the most requested features from the demo: the boost mechanic. This addition enhances level traversal and adds depth to player movement. The boost will be unlockable and upgradable, which leads us to the next topic, content expansion! I've also reworked the "Speedlines" effect and it will now distort the edge of the camera at extreme speed giving a better sense of speed.

Content Expansion

To increase environment interactivity and enhance player movement without introducing entirely new features or complex designs, Ive come up with a solution. Players will be able to upgrade and customize their paper plane using messages found throughout the world. This means that players who finish the game and leave a message will directly help others progress. This system encourages exploration and creative approaches to movement-based gameplay. Youll have the choice of upgrade paths, allowing you to enhance any aspect of your paper character, including the plane, the ball, the boat, and more. Youll be able to decide whether to increase your roll speed or your aerial distance capabilities etc...

Steam Deck

Great news! I just received my Steam Deck and will use it to benchmark Paper Skys general optimization. The Steam Deck was the last piece of hardware needed for my desired platform porting list. With my experience from developing for the Nintendo Switch, Im confident in shipping all platforms simultaneously. See you next month!

[ 2024-11-16 10:05:58 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey There! Welcome to the first of our monthly updates, recapping June's progress. Expect these updates every first Monday of the month. I've been refining the game concept based on demo feedback, leading to some great new ideas and a clearer project vision.

Forbes

Forbes wrote a nice indie game article and included Paper Sky into the mix, it was a welcoming surprise to see my name and Forbes in the same sentence:

Art Levels

I've streamlined the art levels and condensed them into 12 different art worlds that will be all seamlessly integrated to the experience.

New Aerial controls

Alright, let's dive into the most exciting part of the update. After compiling demo feedback from the past months, I decided to simplify the aerial controls, which were a major hindrance to players. The old "intuitive mode" allowed you to aim at a destination for the plane, but the latency made navigating tight spaces impossible. The "realistic mode" rotated the roll of the plane instead of its yaw, making it difficult for most players to master. The new controls, which are consistent for both mouse and controllers, are similar to the game "Superflight." Moving the mouse sideways now directs the plane the same way. This new system is easy to grasp and very precise, rendering the old controls obsolete. These new controls will be included in the upcoming demo update!

New Demo Update

The final demo update before beta access will feature the new control scheme, optimizations, Mac support, better Steam Deck support, and additional content. See below for more details:

Upgrade Mechanics and Online Messages

So you're already familiar with the messaging system allowing you to write a personal message and leaving it in the Paper Sky world for others to find; Well I want to expand on that and make it really interesting gameplay-wise. Finding player messages now grants upgrade points for enhancing your paper plane's abilities. Upgrade points can be spent in a dedicated menu, allowing for customization and improved gameplay, upgrade special power moves such as the Boost (which will be featured in the upcoming demo update). Already discovered message locations will not grant you another upgrade point. The upgrade points can be spent inside a dedicated paper menu that is also the place where you will be able to fold and customize your paper plane. What can be upgraded include every shapes you can take, meaning if you want to upgrade your paper ball for more precision platforming or if you want to upgrade your paper plane for more speed you can do that freely. Let me know what you think of this decision? I believe it greatly complements the existing mechanics and incentivizes players to seek out world messages, enhancing the value of your own.

Wishlist Graph

Paper Sky is now performing 10 times better than my last title in terms of wishlists, and I hope to release Paper sky with at least 85k wishlists, this would ensure the game does well upon release and this would help the game's future tremendously.

Steam Deck

I've been updating the Steam Deck build of Paper Sky Demo and it now works beautifully. I will be getting myself a Steam Deck so I can further support the hardware and make sure it runs well (I will be using the Steam Deck as a FPS benchmark) My main goal is to support as many hardwares and controllers as possible, starting with the same hardwares I developed my last game Crumble on.

That's it for now! Stay tuned for a special Steam Update and Discord notifications about the new demo update. See you next month!

[ 2024-07-02 07:13:53 CET ] [ Original post ]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bruteforce/paper-sky

Paper Sky is successfully funded!

With 668 Backers for a total of 37,523 Paper Sky is now successfully funded thanks to all of you

The project has reached its goal and is now guaranteed to be released, thanks to you! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

What's next?

I will keep you updated on Paper Skys development with monthly Kickstarter updates, starting at the end of June. Thank you for all the supportfrom a simple retweet to small and large contributions.

Follow the development

[ 2024-05-27 16:19:41 CET ] [ Original post ]

Paper Sky is now 90% funded, and on its way to full funding in 3 days!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bruteforce/paper-sky

Please consider supporting the project to make it a reality, you can pledge the minimum amount to get the game at a 5$/ discount, or pledge a bit more to get a copy of my previous game crumble

New gameplay footage

Wishlist Update

Almost reaching 20k wishlists in 5 months!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1617230/Paper_Sky/

It's a boy!

During the weekend one of our dog had a little baby dog It's a boy, weighing 160g. We named him Viking because he's a warrior, just like his father, King. It's been a rough week managing this alongside the Kickstarter campaign, but I'm glad to have the end in sight. I'm humbled by all the support you guys have shown in the comments, on Discord, Twitter, Reddit, in the game world, and through my emails.

THANK YOU!

I hope to see Paper Sky fly

Links

[ 2024-05-20 15:38:29 CET ] [ Original post ]

Special announcement from the Kickstarter campaign: Paper Sky is now half-way funded!

Huge thanks to all of you for believing in me and my project! I could not be doing this without your support.

1 year of gamedev

[previewyoutube=bf-N7L4K1AE;full][/previewyoutube]

I made this special video to celebrate the 1 year of developing this game. I actually started working on this game 3 years ago after my last project released.

New Windows & Linux demo build

I've updated the Paper Sky Demo with new optimization features, now pretty much anybody can play the demo without performance issues! I fixed the Linux build that previously had some graphical issues, now it's working perfectly. You may want to switch the graphics API to Vulkan when playing it on your linux machine or on the Steam Deck by using this executable command: "-force-vulkan"

[ 2024-05-07 07:39:24 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hey there, special announcement for the Kickstarter campaign, we just hit our first milestone of 25% funded in just 3 days!

Kickstarter Page

Community

The community of Paper Sky is growing and the game is getting a lot of attentions on social medias and journalist blogs -GamingOnLinux https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/04/semi-open-world-paper-plane-adventure-paper-sky-coming-to-linux-and-steam-deck/ By far my favorite game journalist and news reporter, I highly recommend following his stuff on Twitter, it's highly curated and very detailed stuff. The creator also used to help me setup the linux build of my previous game Crumble. So this guy is as real as it gets -IGN Japan https://jp.ign.com/games/74305/news/paper-sky Huge plug there, couldn't really understand what was said but I hope it's good stuff! -RockPaperShotgun https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paper-sky-is-a-joyful-flight-sim-for-people-who-suck-at-flight-sims-and-theres-a-demo-out-now They linked the Kickstarter, the steam page, the youtube video and even one similar game that had a successful launch here and a very similar fund goal : Exo One! -80Lv https://80.lv/articles/stylized-adventure-game-where-you-play-as-a-paper-plane/

Wishlists

Paper Sky just passed the 15k wishlists mark in only 4 months, the demo has been played by over 5,000 people, there are a tons of messages populating the world. If you haven't played the demo yet here's the link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1617230/Paper_Sky/

Top Messages left by players

Links

Yoo thank you everyone for following my journey and participating, supporting, playing, commenting, and reading! This is the most important thing for a solo-dev. Love you all

[ 2024-04-28 14:49:16 CET ] [ Original post ]

It's my pleasure to let you know that Paper Sky Kickstarter campaign is now live, you can start making your pledge and be part of the project! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bruteforce/paper-sky

That's not all, you can also play the Paper Sky early demo on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1617230/Paper_Sky/ Please let me know what you thought about the demo experience, your hopes and dreams for the game.

[ 2024-04-24 15:08:06 CET ] [ Original post ]

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Paper Sky Kickstarter campaign!

As I'm gearing up to launch the Kickstarter project you can follow the page and get notified when the campaign is live here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bruteforce/paper-sky

Embarking on this crucial step of Paper Sky's journey is not just a pivotal moment for the gameit's a defining chapter for me. With my experience making my first game Crumble and 8 years of thinking about how to bring this ambitious game to life I am confident that with your help I can bring my dream to life. The development so far has been self-funded with the Crumble money and the assets sales and now is the time to bring Paper Sky to full development and get it launched! To do this I need the additional resources that crowdfunding is made for, but more importantly I want to build a community full of people who love what I'm doing and want to support me! Let's fold this paper plane together!

[ 2024-01-23 16:49:44 CET ] [ Original post ]