I’m having fun. The hard-work kind of fun.
Desktop vs. mobile CSS is still a little nightmare gremlin, but with testing and a few compromises I can usually tame it. Right now the game feels basically finished… except, is it? If there isn’t a true Story Mode—Chapter One like I promised—can I call it done? Not yet. But honestly, even that moved goalpost looks like it’s going to land clean.
New music 🎧: bonusTime.mp3
I recorded a new track today—bonusTime.mp3—and it’s already wired into Story Mode. I loved the process: hit record, see what happens, Ctrl+Z, try again, repeat until it clicks. It’s not a capital-S “SemioTic Masterpiece™”; it’s an extra song, exactly like the name suggests—Bonus Time—and I’m really happy with it. (it’s definitely releasing on the new album!)
Story Mode is moving
I sketched the story system, put the pieces in motion, and tonight I got to watch it work. The pictures are already doing a ton of feedback-loop magic, and I can tell I’ll spend real time getting them just right.
Note to self: final CSS scaling should come last—otherwise I’ll end up with 3,000 lines of overlapping patches. The goal is a story that moves, offers choices, and actually uses the new item + currency system I installed. (Yes, that happened. Yes, I’m thrilled about the possibilities.)
If you peek at Chapter One today, it’s still a preview. As always, I’m risking someone stumbling onto an unfinished mode. As always, I don’t care. It’s part of the fun.
Ahead of schedule (!)
I’m somehow releasing music every other day and using the app to procrastinate from things I’m supposed to do. SnowCone MathFest became way more than I ever imagined, and it’s absolutely been worth it.
Release date is 01/01/26. I’m excited because it means I’ll have used every bit of time to make this thing as good as I can before I send it out into the world. I thought I was done developing… and now I’m writing story!
Today’s wins
- Recorded and integrated bonusTime.mp3 into Story Mode.
- Sketched Chapter One structure; first pass is playable as a preview.
- Continued art pass for key scenes; images already improving readability/feel.
- Cemented the item + currency system (and started imagining all the quests).
- Began corralling CSS so mobile/desktop stop arguing (they’re… negotiating).
What’s next
- Make CH1 images less prioritized (stronger down-scaling on small screens).
- Write the first branching choices and the “return to hub” loop.
- Finish the inventory moments where items unlock story snippets.
- Do a final pass on typography + spacing before locking Story Mode styles.
- Keep shipping music cues and drop them in as scene glue.
Tiny teaser checklist for me
- “The Gate” copy polish + timing with music downbeats
- Portrait art pass for Kat + Scientist
- Micro-transitions (fade/slide) for story beats
- Mobile QA on 360×640 and iPhone mini
- Prevent bottom-bar collisions (reserve space, not z-fight)
Thanks for riding along. This project started as a little math game and keeps turning into a whole… festival. See you on the other side of the next song. 🎪✨
Image: Dr. Kenny Fields visits the festival to find the perfect ratio for his syrup bubble dispenser.
JPS Grooves 
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