Hey everyone,

It's time for another Weekly Devlog for NIRAVASI. Quite a bit of work has been done since the previous Devlog, so let's sit down and go over what's happened to the development of Lotulanda, the Grand Library of Niravasi. But before we do that, I'd like to first point out that it's been almost a year since I first started working on this game. What was at the time a simple idea involving an anthropomorphic character and a big smiley face AI has evolved into something truly amazing. Together with all the feedback you have given and the new areas designed and made, NIRAVASI has grown a really lovely sense of identity (and the game's not even out yet). I guess you could say that I'm making this announcement because we're extremely close to the 50% completion mark for the game! I would like to thank everyone that's stuck with the project so far and shown their support in whatever way they could. It always brings great joy to me knowing that what I'm working on here could become something truly special. With that said, let's get straight into what's happening in the now!

Geographical Wonders
In case you forgot or didn't read my recent Devlogs, the Grand Library of Niravasi has six different sections to explore on the top level; all of which focus on different subjects. I'm happy to announce that the Anthropology and Archaeology Wings are complete (I can always go back and make adjustments if people feel they're too lacking in content) and now I'm focusing on the Geography Wing. It's hard from a design standpoint to create these places as I have to reach a fine line between giving players enough cool areas and also allowing them to easily identify where the visible entrances and exits are (For example, the Sun Mask in Anthropology and the Globe in Geography).

For the Geography Wing, I want this section to be seen as the nature-filled side of the Library. That's not to say that your vision will be obstructed with trees, but mainly just that the area will look visually pleasing. Don't worry, I still plan on having this place be a great place to read books in; a pretty one at that. Following the completion of the Geography Wing, I'll be then focusing on the last three Wings, which will be History, Psychology and Sociology. Some of those will have rather interesting set-pieces, so be sure to keep an eye out for that when the time comes. Oh, and I guess I forgot to talk about the other place you can explore in Lotulanda.

Beneath the Veil
As you explore Lotulanda, you'll find a series of network tunnels deep beneath the grand library. This is the employee-only section of the facility and where you'll find shelter from the pain that is the SARA unit. But as I explained in previous Devlogs, the SARA unit is not the only enemy you'll encounter in Lotulanda. Beneath the library's resplendent halls, you'll find the horrific RAKSARA lurking in the darkness. Unlike the SARA unit, the RAKSARA will not instantly send you back to the Title Screen for small mistakes. They act very similar to the Proxy enemies you've faced, but come with a completely different way on how they should be approached.

The RAKSARA cannot be seen unless you use your Flashlight, so identifying where they are is a must for survival. Since these machines lurk in the darkness and are merely prototypes of the real thing, they aren't working probably and instead are prompted by fairly rudimentary commands. One such example of this is that the RAKSARA will not move if you are facing their general direction. If you turn away for even a second, they'll creep up on you and initiate a nasty attack protocol if they get too close. To ensure your safety against these scary foes, always be sure to keep an eye on them and KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR FLASHLIGHT CHARGE. If that runs out and you're within their nest, it won't end well.

The gameplay differences between the SARA unit and the RAKSARA certainly leads to an interesting dynamic in how you approach Lotulanda. Do you risk making noise upstairs and hide from the SARA unit? Or are you brave enough to venture downstairs into the poorly-lit corridors and face the RAKSARA head-on. The path you choose is completely up to you, but know that you'll need to venture through both if you wish to unlock the secrets of the Grand Library.

Darker Ventures
This is a particularly important announcement I want to make regarding the narrative development of NIRAVASI. From this point on, the story of Mura, AEON and the city of Niravasi as a whole will be getting much darker in theme. If you thought dead bodies in a warehouse and an experimental prison in a Stepwell were bad enough, you ain't seen nothing for what I have planned ahead. I always saw NIRAVASI as being more along the lines of a psychological horror game in its design, with the occasional spooky encounter with AEON and his robots. There was a reason why the city of Niravasi fell the way it did and we haven't even gotten an answer as for WHY AEON's been taking humans away. All of these questions will be answered in due time, but know that as they do, some of the themes and topics the game will cover may be a bit much for some audiences. NIRAVASI is a dark game and I think it's important to address that fact now rather than later.

That's it for this week, and I'll be hard at work making sure to get a rough/complete version of Lotulanda done by the end of the month. But considering that it's going to be my birthday soon (August 23rd), I may end up taking a week off or so towards then. With that being said, thank you all very much for reading this and I hope you all have a lovely evening.

Kind regards,
Angus (Sangos)