Reel Me In is just about at 500 downloads and I could not be more grateful to every single one of you! I still cannot believe people are interested in this silly little game. Truly, to know 500 people out there in the world have spent even a minuscule portion of their short life playing something I made (whether they hated it, loved it, or never thought about it again) is completely mind-blowing. I cannot articulate how grateful I am for the support and love!

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A bit about the the creation and aftermath:

In all honesty, I made Reel Me In in a very dark mindset. I was extremely depressed and miserable at my corporate job and making this game was genuinely the only thing that I found any joy in. Admittedly, I still have yet to come out of this dark period in my life, but knowing that I at least made something and put it out into the world has filled me with immense joy, even if that thing is not entirely well-made or extraordinary in any way.

Before putting out this game, I had never once in my life shared any of my art publicly. I never had a social media where I posted art and I’ve never even shown my friends before. Drawing was something I have been very passionate about since a young age, but I put it on the back burner for far too many years of my life. It was only after I decided I needed to “grow up” and go to college, get a degree I had no passion in, and get a job I have no love for did I finally realize the only time I truly felt fulfilled was when I was creating. I wish I could have realized that at 16 instead of 23, but I can’t go back and change the past. I was very nervous to put my art and writing out there in the world for the first time, especially knowing I’m just simply not very good yet. However, people have been nothing but kind towards the characters and the story, and while I know both are very simple and rough around the edges, it still fills me with great joy.

I know I will keep continuing to make games as it’s all I think about and all I want to do. Maybe I’ll never be lucky or talented enough to make money from it, but I still have my (very unrealistic) dreams. But even if only one person was inspired by my work, it makes everything worth it.

Phew. I know this seems overly introspective for a stupid little fishing horror game, but it really meant so much more to me than a game, and it still does. I have now gotten back into drawing and am finally trying to learn anatomy and develop my own style which has been super fun. I have also started writing creatively for the first time, and I’m loving it! Finally, I have actually began enjoying coding again after college made me despise it.

I Hope this wasn’t too much of a downer, I just wanted to let you all know just how happy you all have made me by supporting this little game!

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Just in case this is interesting to anyone, here is the initial concept I had planned out when I first was brainstorming this game. Looking at it now, surprisingly, not much changed at all! (Besides better sprites, lol)

Also, I initially planned this game to take place during the summer, so I originally drew them in different clothes. (Jun, why are you wearing a turtleneck in summer…?)

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I also wanted to let you guys know that I have a new game coming out in collaboration with an incredible artist on May 1st; I am both nervous and very excited to release it! It’s another small game for a jam, this time purely mystery horror (sorry romance fans - next project will for sure include some dating sim stuff!) and I really hope you all will enjoy it!

Thank you once again for 500 downloads! I’ve doodled Kaito and Jun with some special outfits to celebrate (sorry, Jun). Have a fantastic day/night and thank you so much for reading and your support as always!! (p.s. please leave a comment if you feel like it, it makes my day!!)

Love,

renbie