The Journey of "What!? My Neighbors Are Demons!!" Navigating the world of independent game development is rarely a straight path, and the story behind "What!? My Neighbors Are Demons!!" serves as a prominent example of the challenges faced by small teams. Originally gaining attention through a crowdfunding campaign, this visual novel project has seen several iterations and development shifts. The Premise
: A core mechanic involves a branching storyline where the player's decisions impact the protagonist's personality and lead to different narrative conclusions. A Long Road in Development What!? My Neighbors Are Demons!!? [v0.03]
The history of this project is notable for its significant delays. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017, the development faced hurdles due to changes in the creative team and the departure of the original lead artist. While new artists eventually stepped in to continue the work, the long gaps between updates led to significant discussion within community forums regarding the project's status. The Journey of "What
For those looking at early versions like v0.03, it represents a "vertical slice"—a demonstration of the intended mechanics, art, and sound direction that the developers envisioned for the full experience. Despite the setbacks, the project remains a point of interest for those following the evolution of independent visual novels. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017, the
: The development team emphasized a "funky" audio experience, incorporating genres like lo-fi, trip-hop, and acid jazz to create a specific atmosphere for the setting.