Marcel and Osamu are sitting in Marcel's messy room, surrounded by books and pillows. Marcel seems to be telling Osamu something as he reaches for a pencil, open notebook in his lap. Osamu watches him and listens, all while holding a piece of paper that has a branching diagram on it.

What does it mean to have a branching storyline and what does working with one entail? 🤔

Find out in our latest Column, where we talk about interactive narratives, the #ChooseWiselyFestival, and our personal experiences developing the #SoPVN!

harmonyfrontiers.org/columns/inte...

Kacper looking around the city environment that he now has to adjust to. The image is meant to mimic the feel of a candid photo.

Have you noticed our new promo art?

@drawnbymabel.bsky.social did a wonderful job incorporating elements of the existing styles in our game with her own.

Pictured is a moment where Kacper appears to be adjusting to his new (after)life. Will you be joining him?

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

The image says, "Support State of Presence on Ko-fi." The State of Presence logo is to the right and the link "ko-fi.com/stateofpresence" is below both it and the text, along with a little Ko-fi logo.

Our monthly #SoPVN devlog just went up on Ko-fi!

In these supporter-exclusive posts, we talk at-length about the setup of our #pointandclick #visualnovel.

Donators will find the last two especially useful for the demo release! #KofiPromoteChallenge

ko-fi.com/stateofprese...

Priscilla de Laat (She/Her) Age: Early 30s, Height: 5'7" (171cm) Priscilla is extraverted to a fault. Her presence is well known in the area, whether for good or bad reason depends entirely on the person. While relatively good-natured, at times, it's as if she enjoys arguing for the sake of argument. Her resourcefulness ensures she gets what she wants, though she may not think all the way through before shooting for it. "I was the same way when I moved here. I found that establishing new routines helped me a lot." [Priscilla stands to the left of the textbox with a light smile. Her thick, curly hair is pulled up into a messy bun, barring two twists, one on each side of her face. It's lavender, and pairs well with her pastel makeup. She has a rectangular frame, an ivory skin tone, and lime-colored eyes. She's adorned with jewelry and carries a little pocketbook with a gold chain. Her pants are slightly high-waisted with intricate gold designs on the sides. Her shirt has flowing sleeves and an opening at the top.] [There is a lesbian pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Priscilla de Laat! 📈📌

Co-owning a café and bakery with her wife, Bente, Priscilla is determined to excel in the business side of the trade.

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Bente de Laat (She/Her) Age: Early 30s, Height: 5'2" (158cm) Bente doesn't need to be in the spotlight to light up a room. She can be slow to open up and tends to downplay her accomplishments, but she's a talented person overall. It's clear that she's always thinking of others and how she can help them, though she has a tendency to avoid conflict whenever possible, even if there's none to be avoided. "Sorry about the noise. I don't know what's gotten into Grim today." [Bente stands to the left of the textbox with a polite smile. She has pink hair styled as a coily bob, light blue eyes, an apple figure, and a rich brown skin tone. The top half of her dress is dotted and has a ribbon at the neck. There's a gold belt right below her chest, and the rest of the dress flows out from under it, covered in floral patterns.] [There is a bisexual pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Bente de Laat! ☕️🥖

As a skilled pastry chef, Bente operates a local sit-down bakery alongside her wife, Priscilla.

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Uri Dumont (He/They) Age: Early 20s, Height: 5'3" (160cm) Often coming across as dismissive and distant, Uri is terrible at expressing his emotions. It's common for him to push aside rationality and impulsively let his feelings take over instead. Others' expectations weigh on him heavily, so he'll often flee at the sight of liability. It doesn't help that he won't listen to anyone... unless they're in his favor. "Just say what's on your mind. I can answer your questions better if I can hear them." [Uri stands to the left of the textbox with a flat expression and teeth partially showing. He has an hourglass frame, dark purple eyes, and a sienna skin tone. Maroon bangs frame his face, while the rest of his hair swoops over his left shoulder. He wears a patterned button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His pastel dress pants are held up by a belt and his blazer jacket hangs over his shoulders.] [There is a non-binary pride flag and a pansexual pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Uri Dumont! 🥂🎶

While not the most responsible, Uri makes up for it with diligence. As long as he has faith, he'll stick to it.

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Suzette Blanc (She/Her) Age: Late 20s, Height: 5'6.5" Suzette is a cheerful woman who never backs down, even when she really should. She's assertive, and when her mind is set, her drive is adamant and unwavering. While she loves being around others, her emotional sensitivity can make certain interactions difficult for her. Rarely on the same page as anyone else, she often feels lonely and left out. "A ghost's gotta do what a ghost's gotta do." [Suzette stands to the left of the textbox in a pose that looks as if she's talking with an open smile. She has broad shoulders, a sand-colored skin tone, and hazel eyes. Her raspberry red hair is pulled into loose pigtails that rest on her shoulders. There are stray strands here and there, accompanied by choppy bangs. She wears a blue dress with thin white stripes going down it. The bottom of the dress makes a hard change to red at a point, and the belt at its waist matches in tone.] [There is an asexual pride flag and an aromantic pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Suzette Blanc! 🛍️💫

If you're ever in trouble, Suzette's just the person to call! She's bound to have a trick or two up her sleeve!

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Mikhail Volkov (He/Him) Age: Mid-20s, Height: 5'6" (168cm) Mikhail relatively keeps to himself having a love-hate relationship with the presence of others. Getting a break from the gnawing feeling of loneliness is a comfort, but larger groups leave him rather irritable. In general, he comes off as hostile, but underneath, he's a melancholic soul who wants to find a place where he belongs. "Whatever you're thinking, drop it. It's too late for any of that." [Mikhail stands to the left of the textbox, his eyes cast downwards and his arms crossed. He has porcelain skin, hazel eyes, and a bit of bulk to him. His light brown hair is a curly mop that drops down to his chin. He wears a knit long-sleeve shirt with stylized cuts at the sleeves, skinny jeans with a chain on the side, and a belt that's not fully tucked away.] [In the bottom right corner, where a pride flag would typically be placed, there is simply a question mark.]

Introducing... Mikhail Volkov! 🌪️🔥

On the defense from the get-go, Mikhail doesn't leave the best impression, but what are the chances he's all bark and no bite?

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Sakuya Volkova (She/Her) Age: Early 20s, Height: 5'0" (153cm) Confident in her own abilities, Sakuya strives to take life head-on. She's loyal to those she holds dear and resentful towards those that break that trust. Driven to protect her makeshift family, she's quick to act on intense feelings. At times, she can come across as unintentionally cryptic. "See, the thing is... You... You're already dead." [Sakuya stands to the left of the textbox with a sympathetic expression. The top layer of her green hair is tied up in buns, while the bottom layer falls partway down her front and back. She wears a large t-shirt tied at the waist and striped leggings.] [There is a non-binary pride flag and a demigirl pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Sakuya Volkova! 🕯️☄️

A magnet for the supernatural, Sakuya's had her fair share of odd surprises. Kacper is simply her latest.

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Osamu Fujioka (He/Him) Age: Older Teens, Height: 5'5" (165cm) Osamu is the type of person who sells himself short at every challenge in life. Stuck in his own head, his lack of willpower often prevents him from action. Though he may seem stubborn, and occasionally rude, Osamu means well. He is empathetic to the circumstances of others and tries his best when people need him. "Are you sure you want me to have this?" [Osamu stands to the left of the textbox with a surprised expression. He hides his right eye behind messy blue hair. His hairstyle is similar to a shaggy crop, but longer in the front. The ends curl upwards at random. His one visible eye is purple with bags underneath it and his body type can be described as chubby. He wears a long-sleeve shirt that's pulled down more on his left side as well as striped baggy pants.] [There is a bisexual pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing... Osamu Fujioka! 📚💭

Ever the closed book, Osamu is someone who is often seen but not heard. Kacper frequently spots him by his brother's side, despite his disapproval.

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Marcel Takarski (He/Him) Age: Older Teens, Height: 5'6" (168cm) Marcel is an absolute loose cannon. He'll go out of his way to do the opposite of what any authority figure asks of him. Being the extravert that he is, he rarely hesitates to voice his personal opinion. He always seems to be the one having the most fun out of everyone in the room and loves to try new things whenever possible. "Do I look like a princess meant to be stuck in a tower?" [Marcel stands to the left of the textbox with a half-smile. He has an average build, pale skin, yellow eyes, and a white step mullet a little over chin-length. His left ear is pierced. He wears a bright t-shirt underneath a shirt jacket. His jeans are torn.] [In the bottom right corner, where a pride flag would typically be placed, there is simply a question mark.]

Introducing... Marcel Takarski! ⚡️💥

As the younger brother of Kacper, Marcel is still getting the hang of things, but he'll take every opportunity to put himself out there!

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Izaak Kruk (He/Him) Age: Early 20s, Height: 5’9” (176cm) Underneath his playful exterior, Izaak can be hard to read. Just when you think you’ve figured him out, he’ll flip from sarcastic to serious, throwing you for a loop. He uses his charisma in a way that serves as comic relief. The question is: is this meant to ease others’ tension or his own? “Mind if I crash here for a while? I just need a place to relax.” [Izaak stands to the left of the textbox, raising his eyebrow with a slight smile. He has the frame of an inverted triangle, pale skin, aquamarine eyes, and fluffy, medium-length, light green hair. His colorful attire consists of a turtleneck, light jacket, and jeans.]

Introducing... Izaak Kruk! 🌳⛅️

This free spirit is certain he can navigate any delicate situation. It's no wonder Kacper relies on him so much!

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Kacper Takarski (He/Him) Age: Early 20s, Height: 5’8” (173cm) Creative, loyal, and alert, Kacper is the reliable but overprotective brother figure. He feels the constant need to be responsible for everything, and he is hit hard by guilt when situations go wrong. For the most part, he can hold his patience, but he has a short fuse once pushed beyond his comfort zone. Art is his outlet for expressing himself. “I don’t really have a choice. No matter my feelings, I need to know what has happened to me.” [Kacper stands to the left of the textbox with a worried expression. He has a slim build, pale skin, blue eyes, and choppy, asymmetrical yellow hair that reaches below his chin on one side. He wears a button-up shirt beneath a sweater and slacks.] [There is a gay pride flag and a vincian pride flag in the bottom right corner.]

Introducing… Kacper Takarski! 🖌️🎨

Join him as he navigates his strange afterlife in our upcoming visual novel, State of Presence!

#SoPVN #indiedev #vndev

Since Bluesky missed out on our demo's character intros, we'll be posting them bi-weekly until we're all caught up! We hope everyone looks forward to meeting the #SoPVN cast! 🥰

State of Presence on Steam Waking up in a stranger's apartment is a jarring experience, even worse is learning you're there because you died. Phase between memories, the liminal plane, and current day to uncover your demise. Bo...

We're excited to announce that our #pointandclick #visualnovel, State of Presence, is now available to wishlist on Steam! 🥳

You can find more details about the project at the link! 👀 #wishlistwednesday #indiedev #vndev #SoPVN

store.steampowered.com/app/2769120/...