Development Update #3 – Back from Japan & Back to Hayakawa

Summer Update – Back from Japan & Back to Hayakawa

Hey everyone!

It’s been a couple months since our last post, and with summer in full swing, I wanted to share another update on how Veiled Shadows is coming along. Development has been steady—and I even got to take a short break that ended up inspiring the project more than I expected!

🌄 Real-World Hayakawa?

Earlier this month, I returned from a two-week trip to Japan—mostly spent in Tokyo, but with a few days in a small town called Yumoto, nestled in the mountains of Hakone. The moment I arrived, it hit me: this feels like Hayakawa. Quiet streets, a river running through the town, surrounded by nature… it honestly felt like stepping into the world of Veiled Shadows.

That trip gave me tons of new visual references and helped refine the atmosphere I want the game to have—grounded, nostalgic, and just a little bit magical.

📅 Designing Emotional Moments

Since April, I’ve been focusing on quieter story content: small scenes that give the characters depth and emotional weight. I won’t spoil anything here, but a few new interactions have quickly become some of my favourite moments in the game.

The 30-day calendar system is also fully finalized, with a balance that lets players explore, bond with characters, and uncover secrets at their own pace—while still feeling the pressure of time passing.

💡 Still Going Strong on Patreon

I’ve been steadily updating Patreon with behind-the-scenes content, devlog previews, and posts that dig into the creative side of development. The most recent deep dive—“Building a Calendar-Based Game: Time as a Mechanic”—explores how structure shapes the story, and how players engage with the world of Hayakawa. If you’re into that kind of nerdy dev talk, I think you’ll enjoy it.

👉 Join the Patreon Here

🎯 Looking Ahead

Next up is polishing existing scenes, refining character interactions, and continuing the search for a potential publishing partner. Things are slowly but surely coming together, and I’m more motivated than ever to make Veiled Shadows something truly memorable.

Thanks again for being part of this journey—it means the world.

Until next time,
Dominik 🌙