Dear supporters and marvelously patient players,

First off, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who's downloaded the game and especially to those who've thrown actual money in my direction. Your generosity still occasionally causes me to choke up slightly while checking my notifications.

Current Status

The Eldritch Monarch is currently gathering dust in the great digital shelf of "games I swear I'll finish someday"; which is to say, it's on indefinite hiatus. After the crowdfunding campaign achieved the impressive feat of not succeeding, I stubbornly persisted for a while longer, even hauling the game to MAGfest 2025 like a determined chef insisting everyone try their experimental soufflé that hasn't quite risen. Eventually, the double-edged sword of employment struck. Good news for my bank account, bad news for The Eldritch Monarch. Turns out having a reliable income and enough free time to develop a game are mutually exclusive states of being.

Each donation notification I receive now fills me with a mixture of warm appreciation and nagging guilt. I'm truly grateful, but I'd rather nobody felt bamboozled about the current state of things.

Looking Forward

I genuinely hope to return to this project someday - and there might actually be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Apparently, once you get into the groove of a new job and your offspring reaches an age where they occasionally remember how to entertain themselves, the mythical beast known as "free time" might start making cautious appearances in your calendar. I'm told this is a real phenomenon, though I remain skeptically optimistic. Until then, I'd rather not make promises that future-me might resent being held to.

For Those Considering a Donation

If you enjoy what's available and still wish to donate, please do so with the understanding that you're supporting what exists now, rather than funding active development. Think of it less as an investment in future content and more as a tip jar for past efforts. Every contribution is still appreciated more than words can express, but I want you to make that choice with your eyes fully open.

And hey, in some alternate universe where donations somehow reach critical mass, there's a version of me dramatically throwing my resignation letter on my boss's desk while shouting "THE MONARCH CALLS!" – but we're probably talking "pay the mortgage" numbers rather than "thanks for the coffee" numbers. A developer can dream!

Thanks Again

To everyone who has played the game, shared feedback, or contributed in any way; your interest in this weird little project of mine continues to baffle and delight me in equal measure.

If circumstances change and I manage to conjure some free time, I'll post an update here faster than an alien can say "MATSOOBA"