Today's Newsletter!! New Game is Coming

[Obi-kan77]

I’m really excited!!! I hope that it will come out in the summer, but that might not happen… I can still hope though!

[SleuthingSavvy]

I just had a thought. Is this the first video where they don’t say they’re development images?

[Obi-kan77]

I think you’re right!

[SleuthingSavvy]

That's so interesting!! Feels like we're getting close! This environment looks SO much better than MID. At first I thought it was just the lighting in the cafe area, that was why I liked it, but also the graphics are a lot better. Even just comparing this castle/courtyard area to the one in MID. I liked MID and I think some of the places were pretty, but this is way better looking so far! I have high hopes for this game. Can't wait for a release date!

[pintopalomino]

DrewforDrew, I will be disappointed if we don't have CDs. I don't trust all the digital stuff, plus I'm just a creature of habit and don't like change. I know everyone else is also wondering about the radio silence from the last 4 years and unfortunately, I don't see us getting an answer. It's kind of a bummer, because just having that communication would have made fans a lot more understanding. Not that we don't already understand there are major changes that have been going on... But it is totally the difference between waiting twenty minutes for your coffee and being told, "Here you go, sorry for the wait," versus, "Thank you for being so patient! One of machines broke, so we had to take care of that in order to get your coffee." Maybe that's just me, though.

I obviously don't scrutinize graphics because I can tell very little difference! I'm still excited, though. Mostly for a good story and actual puzzles. The theory that it will officially release in July is still valid until they come up with something contrary to that. Though, I personally believe that having the game release in July would be awfully quick, considering we just had 2 months of puzzles to get just the title and location confirmed.

[SleuthingSavvy]

Same here! I really hope they have it as a physical copy. I mean, I’d still preorder if it was digital, but it would be sad if there was no physical option.

That’s a pretty good analogy. I’m loving all this marketing they’re doing with this game, and I hope this level of communication keeps going after the release. I’m not saying we need puzzles and posts twice a week. For instance, HeR or some of their employees will hop into the chat of someone’s youtube stream, or make a little comment here and there.. Probably more on social media that I don’t see. But that interaction is awesome, you know they’re still there and they’re working on it!

Yes! I’m very optimistic about the puzzles. They’re doing such a good job with their puzzles and hints here.
That would be awfully quick! I’d be happy about it though! I can see a November release, but I’m still hoping for summer. As long as they don’t feel like they have to rush it like Midnight in Salem! And I think they know, this one HAS to be finished.
Same here. I thought the graphics were pretty good in Midnight in Salem, I hardly noticed anything off (until someone walks up and says ‘why is the character rocking back and forth like that’ and now I can’t unsee it ). But, if you compare the outside of Moosham Castle with the outside of this cathedral… The cathedral is gorgeous and detailed and the castle is… a gray square with a roof and some windows. Not trying to say all bad things about Midnight in Salem, it was a pretty good game if you can look past a couple things! But there is definitely room for improvement and I’m excited to see how they handle that in Mystery of the Seven Keys.

[pintopalomino]

Yes, I'll always preorder!

I know there's a lot a don't see because everything is on social media. I really wish HeR would post on the forums more... or like at all. I feel like maybe if this was the first platform to post on, the boards might pick up a little, ya know? I mean, it's a total catch 22 because I know they get the exposure on the mainstream sites.

Midnight in Salem just came out very grey - not only the color palette, but not memorable in ANY aspect. The shock of the change of graphics was very difficult. The original Nancy Drew games were almost painterly in their appearance. So beautiful and detailed. Unless they go back to the original style, I'll mostly be unimpressed. Ha! I still argue story is more important. Though, creating a memorable aesthetic (memorable as in GOOD) is a plus.

My 4 year old is looking over my shoulder as I type this, so he wishes to send you guys a message with emojis:

[SleuthingSavvy]

YES! I saw that they were online a couple days ago, but I haven’t seen them post anything or change anything on here. I feel the same way. Even if it’s not the FIRST one they post on, something here would be nice. I kind of feel like they’re not really paying attention to the message boards. (Magic library has been broken for how long? At least since I’ve been on these boards, I believe. If you’re reading this, HeR… )

I agree! The user interface was… I wasn’t a fan. Just the plain white shapes… They’ve done the same thing to the UI of a horse game I play from time to time and nobody seems to like it. I wonder why so many people seem to go for those kinds of icons. It was cool how you could swirl the inventory items around to look at them closer, and I did like the phone messages. That was a neat idea, I know they did something like that in a few games (Deadly Device… I thought there were others but now I can’t remember) but this was fun and different. But… I didn’t like the menu, or the new junior/senior detective badges. I hope they do it differently going forward! It doesn’t need to be EXACTLY the same as the old games, but like you said, it needs to be memorable. And tiny white icons aren’t the way to go.

HeR added some new merchandise to their teespring store! I don’t see any clues or anything, but it’s there. It’s a little strange to me to have so much merchandise for a game before it’s out. But it’s kind of fun!
Haha! Hi!

[pintopalomino]

They aren't! The message boards are a thing of the past...

I think you're right on the icons. I feel like the popularity has to do with the minimalistic/grey trend that's pretty popular with decor and aesthetics, but it just washed everything out.

I did like the efforts to make investigating found objects more interactive! That was a plus! I liked the messages in this game, too. Especially since the texts were relevant and added to the character interactions.

I do find it odd to have so much merchandise, but they just created a fair amount of hype... So, good marketing move! I just wonder how far away we are from the actual release.

[SleuthingSavvy]

Yeah. I mean, yes you can see more of the screen, but… Also, if you have multiple for-instance keys in your inventory (seven keys? ), they all look the same and you have to hover over every one to figure out which one you want.
Yes! I loved the messages, and the item interaction was really cool. Might need to be touched up a bit but it was so much fun!

I’m not sure. I’m hoping to see some kind of post from them today, though. I totally get taking a week off after that fast-paced countdown, but I need my pattern back!

[SleuthingSavvy]

New short video! Doesn’t tell us much, but I’m glad they did something! Looks like we’ll get to learn a bit of Czech. Sweet!
The icon on the webpage was also updated. I’m honestly not sure what this new icon is. Maybe a message board thing?

[mdetective12]

I saw somewhere that the new icon may be a checklist but I have no idea what it means!

[SleuthingSavvy]

Ooh, could be! That would be great! There was a distinct lack of the tasklist in Midnight in Salem, I really hope they fix this in Mystery of the Seven Keys. I like checking the boxes myself, and having a more detailed list. And her journal notes! I don’t remember if we got those in Midnight in Salem. Again, I really loved the text messages on her phone, but that was… about it as far as the phone went.

[pintopalomino]

The new icon does look like a task list! They have a new puzzle on the Amateur Sleuth Blog! They seem to be making references like, "We need to learn just a bit more about Prague before we pack our bags..."

I'm hoping for a trailer or release date next!

[Obi-kan77]

I’m really excited!!! I really hope there’s a trailer or a release date soon!!!!