🍦 Dev Blog — v0.7.7 “Prologuing the Inevitable”

The path to v0.8.0 has been an interrupted one. If Patch wrote this post for me, he would never know to mention what happens in real life.

I’ve started working again, and it has definitely affected the attention and time I’ve been willing to give SnowCone MathFest. I knew summer would end — and that’s why I logged so many hours this summer, just trying to get it to a point where I could feel like I got a lot accomplished.

From May 2025 through two weeks ago I powered on three modes and the bedrock of a user + badge system. Yes, I’ve used AI, abused AI, and been used by AI — but I have also at times completely disregarded it.

As I got into Story Mode, I broke things globally — not once, but twice — and I definitely did NOT have time worked in for those detours.

But now… we stand… looking in the eyes of Story Mode Forest… and I think we are seeing something cool. 🌲🌌

🌱 From Scrap to Spark

It was pretty close to being done back in May… before the button that broke the first version. As I nuked everything and got back to where I am now, I was really thinking I was going to scrap this story.

But I like that I kept it.

I DO have to question myself — did I keep it out of ease? Maybe…

What I really want to do with Chapter 1 is YOUR story. You will have options. There will be art and consequences and all kinds of things. In my mind, that’s how I saw it.

But I wasn’t feeling it. I couldn’t tell that story yet.

In a classic lack of authorial free will, I realized this character — Jehnk — needs to tell HIS story. Thus the Prologue was born.

Over the last week, I’ve realized this will be the start. The bedrock of Story Mode Forest.

🛠️ Why v0.7.7, Not v0.8.0

I haven’t implemented XP, and while it looks good on mobile, the viewport scaling on desktop hasn’t even been tested yet. That’s why this is v0.7.7 instead of v0.8.0.

I’m anticipating two weeks maximum, and I really hope it just takes a night or two. But that scaling is gonna take some testing between desktop and mobile to make sure it’s airtight. After all, I’m going for shipably airtight. 🚢✨

💭 What Does “Finished” Mean?

I called this update “Prologuing the Inevitable” because it really feels like I can finish this thing.

But what is finished? What do I mean?

The way my heart tells me: I finish this prologue and scaling, and Story Mode is “done.”

Once I finish MathTips Village and Grampy P’s chat brain (which I already have cool ideas for — but they’ll explode production time if I’m not careful)…

(What am I thinking? Instead of an intro screen like the other modes, I imagined a village of three booths that can be clicked, each with their own intro screen and functions… yeah, that’s a time sink.)

It’s probably best to stick with the plan and do the Grampy P intro screen → chatbot chatbox.

After that… I need to wire XP, wire badges, tweak numbers for balance.

And then we’ll have v1.0.0.

🎯 The Vision for v1.0.0

I feel bad, because I always imagined v1.0.0 having a full Chapter 1 of sorts.

But the real goal is to get v1.0.0 as soon as possible so that I can rest artistically.

If I’m being honest, this project has taken a heavy toll. I absolutely cannot stop now — but I am having to make some really important dev decisions right now.

It’s important to remember: v1.0.0 is in sight.

If I can get there, I can then just focus on making music for modes, or SFX, and then a fully thought-out Chapter 1.

I want all five modes playable with badges in v1.0.0.

The Prologue in Story Mode has allowed me to feel good enough to say:

“Hey, this is a full experience.”

🎶 Beyond the Festival

I’ve got so many projects that I could be working on right now. This one has been an absolute monster, but also an absolute blast.

I really need to figure out how to promote it better, because this is a pretty cool game and it deserves to be played.

I’m extremely sensitive to feedback, and often have to disregard it as a defense mechanism. But when v1.0.0 is released, it will really just be a beta release for the few testers I may be able to scrape together.

I’ll need to be open to feedback, and make possible changes. As an art piece, I’m not sure how many changes I’ll make… but if people give me good feedback, I suppose I’ll have to respond.

But 2026? I need to blog different things.

I want to tell you I’m working on my books again.
I want to tell you I’m working on albums.
But if I’m still having fulfilling sessions making games?
I want to tell you I’m doing that too.

🌌 Closing

Until next blog, play SnowCone MathFest v0.7.7 — Prologuing the Inevitable.

Sincerely,
JPS Grooves