The first closed story mode play test period just ended, and testers got to try 13 levels that will make up about half of all story mode levels.
The quality and theming of the levels is very high. Some of them are even polished enough that I felt they’re ready to be included in the story mode as is, or with very minor alterations.
The music is fire and the levels feel like they enhance the music very well.
Overall I’m very excited to see them fully finished in the upcoming story mode, with the VN elements integrated.
If you were a part of the story test, please keep in mind that this is a public post. Do not share specifics about the levels themselves in replies.
What are y’all planning to do when the story mode finally releases? Do you anticipate another PA boom?
While I definitely hope that PA’s popularity will surge after story mode, I don’t think it’s set in stone. Black heart’s effect on the community could have very well been a fluke, and the current story mode trailers (while they’ve performed decently) haven’t gained the same kind of traction as Ol’s work on social media platforms. Of course, it’s basically impossible to tell until the actual release, so I’m keeping my hopes up.
The first thing I’ll probably do upon release is stream the whole thing on youtube and maybe edit my reactions down into a video.
What I think might happen is some popular internet personalities that were waiting for the game to release will try it, and—considering the whole ‘lolislikejsab’ thing—people might start flooding in.
Heavily depends on how people in general think of the game’s story and its visual aesthetic.
It has the potential to be great but a lot of people might not be into it for one reason or another
Probably stream the Story Mode myself as well, and definitely take to the wiki to update at least a few things. One thing I keep wanting to do post-Story Mode is make a level collection themed as a fanmade extension/DLC to it. I already have one really solid idea that might fit it lorewise and definitely fits it levels-wise. I really hope Story Mode leads to more level collections that build on PA’s canon setting and lore, there’s a sadly small amount that do right now.
Community levels as DLC (hired work or not) sounds like a really cool idea
I’d imagine the licensing of that would be rough unless people used existing licensed songs but me personally I would love to see that happen.
I haven’t thought about it too hard, but I could see commissioned community DLC level packs as a great way for pidge to make long-term income from the game. People get hired to do what they love, and people get high quality curated content.
