As we're about to wrap up AirlineSim's 22nd year of existence, it is about time we took a close look at where the project stands right now and where it will be heading over the coming years. So if you have half an hour to spare, head over to YouTube and check out this year's State of the Game address.
And if you don't, or you just prefer reading stuff over listening to me ramble, here's what the TL;DR of the video linked above boils down to:
Part I: Where we are
- The good: The Steam release earlier this year stopped a negative trend in player numbers and AirlineSim maintains a "very positive" rating.
- The bad: AS in 2024 feels dated, both technologically and visually, and there are a lot of things that need fixing.
- The ugly: Despite this, AS development has been on the backburner for the past few years (see below for the reasons).
- I work 100% of my time on AirlineSim right now.
- There have been continuous development updates in the shape of the devlog since late January.
Part II: How we got here
- Freelance development work has been required to keep simulogics afloat ever since it went commercial in 2007, meaning never in our history were we able to dedicate 100% of our time and resources to our games.
- In 2015, Michi and I met and started working on Prosperous Universe together to build a broader revenue base for the company.
- To make this work, we became more reliant on (my) freelance work and - since 2019 - public funding.
- I spent around 50% of my time as a freelance development lead for an external team with more than half a dozen people.
- Prosperous Universe didn't grow as required and expected, so to secure our finances long-term, we re-focus on AirlineSim in 2021 and start the AirlineSim Technology Demonstrator project with the intention of preparing the foundation for AirlineSim's "next 20 years".
- Personal circumstances over the above timespan were taking an extra toll on my (see video for details).
- Those, combined with two in-house projects and one external one, on top of running the company as such, lead to...
- ...me burning out towards the end of 2023.
- I got lucky, as my client and my family were incredibly supportive, and I was able to find professional help relatively quickly.
Part III: Where we are going
- I have stopped all freelance work for the time being, hence me working 100% of my time on AS.
- The catch: I have reduced my workload quite a bit, so 100% aren't 100% ;)
- There are no current plans for new funding projects, expanding the company, seeking external investments or things like that...any such things have been shelved at least until my private life has stabilised.
- My day-to-day work on AirlineSim revolves around the roadmap, an ever-growing list of things I want to (or can imagine to) add to the game, as well as any changes, improvements or modernisations I can think of.
- For all intends and purposes, it is unlikely that I'll ever complete all items on this list.
- But there are two things I want to pledge myself to: Continuous Progress and to actually ship stuff!
- The goal: Ship something from the roadmap (or a part of an item) every few weeks or months.
These should be the key points. The video version obviously provides a lot more subtext and detail, so if you can, check it out. I am very much looking forward to your feedback and comments, be it directly below the video, on our forums or on Discord. But most importantly, make sure to weigh in on the roadmap items that interest you the most. This is a niche game for a small audience, so your voice has impact!
See you there!
Martin