An epilogue (and other stuff)

Just wanted to pop in and give a quick thanks to everyone who's taken an interest in There's Something in the Pipes! Not to get sappy here but I'm glad this silly little project could entertain.

While I'm at it, I figure I'll field a few of the more common questions and bits of feedback I've seen around.

Q. How many endings are there?

A. Just three! There's two endings for giving up (before and after getting the necklace), and one for finishing all the puzzles. You can also turn the lights back on before dropping the necklace in the bathtub to get a bit of extra dialog, but it funnels back into the main ending.

Q. Why the art style change?

A. Ease of access, mostly. I've been taking an extended break from full-colour art for health reasons, but I wanted to work on my animation pipeline during the jam and my usual pen and paper approach was too time-consuming to Photoshop. So! Pixels.

If you're a fan of the old pen-and-paper look, don't stress! I ain't about to lock myself into one style of art.

Q. So, like... what was actually in the pipes?

A. Short answer: ghosts (which was also the theme of the gamejam!). Long answer: really weird ghosts.

I know, I know, that's a terrible explanation - but to tell the truth this game was never going to provide one. Video Nine and it's bloody bathtub is a setting I've been tinkering with for a while now, and Pipes is like... laying ground work for that, I suppose.

I'd like to explore the tub further over time. But for now I don't want to over-promise or over-explain, in case my plans change.

Q. Is there anywhere else I can learn about the characters?

A. Sure. My previous game Beat the Buzzer is set in the same continuity as Pipes, but further down the timeline. It's more visual novel than puzzle game but if you like watching Clarissa poke at weird shit until something falls out, you might enjoy it!

Other than that - I tend to slap random character sketches, share gamedev snippets, and/or field questions over on my tumblr australiaishaunted. Feel free to bug me any time. I can't guarantee how much of what I say will wind up 'canon' but I can at least provide joaks.

Q. What's next? 

A. Good question. I definitely have more planned for these characters, though sequel probably isn't the right word for it.

The current goal is to release small, self-enclosed stories like this one, mostly set in the same continuity. I like the idea of players being able to jump in anywhere and (hopefully) enjoy themselves, while long-term players can get a sense for how the characters lives interconnect and change over time.

(I do have some full length games in the works, too... but I wouldn't hold your breath. They're a long way off.)

Thank you again for playing Pipes, and I hope to have more for you soon!